President vetoes bill to block headwater protection

Yesterday, President Obama vetoed SJ Res 22, which would have nullfied rules adopted last summer by the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers to clarify that Clean Water Act protections apply to the small headwater and feeder streams and not just the downstream perennial waters.  Click here to read a response supporting these Clean Water rules, from Colorado TU and the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union. The President's veto message appears below and echoes TU's argument that protection of our larger downstream rivers depends on protecting them from their source in the headwaters. Colorado TU would also like to thank Senator Michael Bennet, who voted against SJ Res 22 and in support of anglers and water quality protection.  (Update: the Senate voted today 1/21/16 and the President's veto was upheld.  Thank you to Senator Bennet and all those who stood up in defense of water quality.)

The President's Veto Message follows:

I am returning herewith without my approval S.J. Res. 22, a resolution that would nullify a rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Army to clarify the jurisdictional boundaries of the Clean Water Act. The rule, which is a product of extensive public involvement and years of work, is critical to our efforts to protect the Nation's waters and keep them clean; is responsive to calls for rulemaking from the Congress, industry, and community stakeholders; and is consistent with decisions of the United States Supreme Court.

We must protect the waters that are vital for the health of our communities and the success of our businesses, agriculture, and energy development. As I have noted before, too many of our waters have been left vulnerable. Pollution from upstream sources ends up in the rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and coastal waters near which most Americans live and on which they depend for their drinking water, recreation, and economic development. Clarifying the scope of the Clean Water Act helps to protect these resources and safeguard public health. Because this resolution seeks to block the progress represented by this rule and deny businesses and communities the regulatory certainty and clarity needed to invest in projects that rely on clean water, I cannot support it. I am therefore vetoing this resolution.

BARACK OBAMA

THE WHITE HOUSE,

January 19, 2016.

Behind the Fin: Rick Tarr

• Name: Rick Tarr
• Member of West Denver Chapter
• TU Member for 15 years
• Retired Faculty of Political Science Department at Metro State
• Best Quote from Rick: “A number of years ago, the Chapter established a fully equipped fly tying classroom where we teach the kids (two sessions of ten each) how to tie two simple flies and then help them fish in the stocked pond.  We also make them aware of the many challenges facing the task of maintaining healthy trout habitat.”

How long have you been a TU member?

I’m not sure of the exact time that I joined.  But I’d say, about 15 years.

Why did you become a member?

After retiring from the faculty of Metro State in 1997 in the Political Science Department, I had time for volunteer activities.  In addition to TU, I have a weekly volunteer activity with Project Cure, which collects donated medical supplies that are then shipped overseas where needed.

What made you want to become more involved with TU and which chapter are you currently involved with?

As a long time trout fisherman I was naturally interested in the trout habitat conservation and restoration activities put on by TU- Especially in our "home water" of Clear Creek. The West Denver Chapter is closest to my home in Lakewood.

What is your favorite activity or project that you have done with TU?

I have enjoyed the various educational activities of our Chapter.  Most importantly our fly tying, fly fishing and conservation program for sixth graders at the Jefferson County Outdoor Education Lab School (near Bailey) for 6th graders.  We do this whenever it is requested by their teachers as an optional activity during their week at Windy Peak.  A number of years ago, the Chapter established a fully equipped fly tying classroom where we teach the kids (two sessions of ten each) how to tie two simple flies and then help them fish in the stocked pond.  We also make them aware of the many challenges facing the task of maintaining healthy trout habitat.

What is a favorite fishing spot and favorite fishing story?

I've had a number of enjoyable days fishing in California (home state), Wyoming, Oregon, Montana, Alaska, British Columba and Argentina.  But trout fishing in New Zealand is the most memorable.

To you, what is the best tactic or fly for catching trout?

My favorite fly is gold ribbed hare's ear.

Beyond being an awesome angler, what else do you do in your spare time or for work?

My other hobbies include: wood working, kayaking, aviation, travel.

Benefits to Tying Your Own Flies

For many fly fishermen, the winter months are the best time to sit under a desk lamp in the basement with nothing but their fly tying tools and their imagination. Why?

Because fly tying offers benefits that cannot be achieved through purchasing flies.

For many, the cold, winter nights are spent in front of the bench because they feel it completes their fishing experience. According to the folks at Trroutfitters "There is no better feeling than catching a fish on a fly that you yourself have tied – period. When I can catch a fish on a fly that I have made myself, I feel as though I am completing the circle of casting, catching, thinking and preparing.  In the scheme of things, what else is there?"

When an angler ties their own fly, they are creating the pattern, size, color and style. All of these factor in to catching a fish. It's one thing to catch a fish on a fly that was tied by a professional, but when it's your own product in the lip of that rainbow, it provides overall satisfaction.

When an anger is tying their own fly, it allows their imagination to run wild. There are countless numbers of patterns in the world and this allows tiers to try something that probably can't be found in a local fly shop. It also provides tiers opportunities to learn more about the entomology of their local waters.

Through tying, anglers can get a chance to pick the brains of their local fly shop guides, their friends and other anglers about what patterns and colors work best in each area. There are also opportunities for amateur tiers to meet and tie next to some of the top tiers in the area and learn different tips and tricks.

It's a common thought that tying flies vs. buying flies is also a great way to save money. And like most things, the correct answer is, "It depends." The initial cost of purchasing the tools and materials can range anywhere from $50-200+ but, again, this depends on the quality and quantity of materials.

For someone to tie 25 wolly buggers, it would roughly cost them $18. Include this to the initial cost of around $100 (basic beginner tools), and it's going to be $118 for 25 flies. Maybe even less if the first few are no good.

But, if you look at the initial cost as an investment (which it is), then it could be cheaper to tie flies over time. If the average quality fly costs around $2 then 25 flies would be $50 each purchase, whereas it would be around $20 for each set of 25 flies after the initial, start-up cost.

Some people prefer to purchase flies for simplicity sake. It's certainly easier and more time efficient to go into the local fly shop and ask the outfitters which flies work best and they'll point them to a few perfectly tied flies that will catch fish.

But while the fishing may not stop in winter, those long winter nights are perfect for those who long for sitting in front of the bench and letting their imagination and hands run wild because of the benefits offered through fly tying.

And who knows? That strange fly that only you have, may just catch a few fish.

Congress sends sportsmen a strong budget bill for Christmas

Last week, congressional leaders agreed to a bipartisan omnibus appropriations bill for fiscal year 2016. By and large, Trout Unlimited is very pleased with the bill. It provides strong funding levels for many important federal conservation programs and does NOT include a number of harmful policy riders that were in play leading up to the final agreement. We recognize the profound challenges that accompany the appropriations process, and are grateful to Congressional leaders for reaching consensus on a bill that invests in conservation and supports the interests of sportsmen and women.   

Of special interest to Trout Unlimited and our members across the country, the Omnibus bill includes the following highlights: 

Clean Water Rule

Trout Unlimited is delighted to see that the bill does NOT include the ill-conceived Clean Water Rule rider that was intended to delay or block the Rule restoring Clean Water Act protections to smaller streams and adjacent wetlands.  We deeply appreciate the efforts of the Obama Administration and our allies in Congress who stood firm with Trout Unlimited members, American sportsmen and women, and the nearly one million individuals who supported the rule. Hunters and anglers care deeply about protecting headwater streams and wetlands and we are thankful Congress maintained the vital effort to restore Clean Water Act safeguards to these waters. [Colorado TU adds: Senator Michael Bennet stood strong in support of the Clean Water Rule which helps ensure that the Clean Water Act continues to apply to our Colorado headwater/tributary streams. Read more about the issue here.]

LWCF

While Trout Unlimited was disappointed that the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) was not permanently extended in the omnibus bill, it was reauthorized for an additional three years. In addition, the omnibus directs that the LWCF will receive $450 million in the coming year, which is $100 million more than in 2015, and more than the LWCF has been appropriated since 2010. These provisions represent a step in the right direction for the LWCF and will provide Trout Unlimited with good footing to work with member of Congress in the years ahead to secure permanent authorization for the program. [Colorado TU adds: Senators Cory Gardner and Michael Bennet fought long and hard to support LWCF and deserve thanks from Colorado's sportsmen, and we look forward to working with them to ultimately secure a permanent reauthorization for one of the nation's most effective conservation programs.]

Support for Abandoned Mine Clean-up

In western mine lands and in eastern coal country, Trout Unlimited has invested a huge amount of time and effort in cleaning up pollution from abandoned mine lands to restore trout watersheds. Thus Trout Unlimited was particularly pleased to see the addition of $90 million dollars to the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund in the omnibus bill. This is a significant increase over previous years that will allow States with to tackle some of their larger economic, community, and environmental goals related to the reclamation of abandoned coal mines. 

Sage Grouse 

Why does Trout Unlimited care about the controversial bird? Because sage grouse are especially dependent on riparian areas along trout streams in the western U.S., and what is good for the bird is good for the trout. Earlier this year the FWS decided not to list the Greater Sage Grouse under the Endangered Species Act, opting instead to formulate, along with the states and other Interior Department agencies, a set of comprehensive conservation plans for the imperiled western bird. Trout Unlimited is pleased that the omnibus did not include riders to delay, defund, or otherwise undo the sage grouse conservation plans and instead provides funding to support the cooperative approach identified by the FWS. 

Fish Passage

The omnibus includes $13,248,000 for the National Fish Passage Program within the FWS, one of the most cost-effective programs among all federal natural resource agencies. This is a roughly $500,000 increase over last year’s funding. Barriers to fish passage pose a serious threat to the health and sustainability of trout and salmon populations across the country, and the new funds will catalyze new projects around the Nation.  [Colorado TU adds: this program provided valuable funding here in Colorado to help restore fish passage associated at water diversion sites that were damaged in the September 2013 floods, allowing Colorado to rebuild smarter and better.]

Western Drought and Basin-Scale Restoration Programs

Trout Unlimited is pleased that the Omnibus provided $100 million for Western Drought Response to enable states, farmers and other water users to conserve water and protect fish habitat in the face of the very serious western drought. The funds will be especially valuable in states hard hit by drought such as California and Washington. The bill also provides considerable funding for the Yakima River Basin (Washington) Water Enhancement Project. Trout Unlimited and its partners have worked extremely hard in recent years to come up with an extensive plan to enhance the Yakima River and its watershed. The culmination of this collaborative effort is a 30-year restoration plan aimed at securing water supplies in the face of worsening drought conditions and restoring habitat throughout the watershed to the betterment of fish, wildlife, and sportsmen. 

Wildfire borrowing 

The number of large wildfires in recent years has driven up wildfire fighting and suppression costs to a point where the U.S. Forest Service now spends more than half of its budget on wildfires. To cover these rising costs, the Forest Service has been forced to divert or “borrow” money from other programs within the agency. Borrowing results in the delay or outright cancellation of projects aimed at improving fish and wildlife habitat, trails and recreational areas, and efforts to make our national forests more resistant to future wildfires. Trout Unlimited supports the proposed fix for this troubling scenario contained within the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act (WDFA).  Although WDFA was not included in the bill, the good news is that appropriators provided the Forest Service and BLM with a substantial increase, nearly $600 million more than what they have spent on average over the last decade. In the long-term a more permanent fix is required, but for now the big increase in funding may be enough to avoid program pilfering in the coming year.

Farm Bill Conservation program cut

A loss for trout conservation was in the USDA NRCS portion of the bill, where NRCS’s large, work horse program, the Environmental Quality Program (EQIP), was trimmed $321 million, a very significant amount. EQIP is vital to conserving streams and rivers on farm lands nationwide by itself, but it also partially funds RCPP, NRCS’s landscape scale conservation program. Still, EQIP’s total is still a significant $1.3 billion, and it will yield considerable benefit to trout nationwide.

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

The spending bill would provide $300 million for the EPA’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), a funding program that fosters partnerships among state, federal and local governments, nonprofits, businesses, and other stakeholders to restore habitat and improve water quality in the Great Lakes basin. Support through the GLRI is enabling TU to restore trout habitat in partnership with national forests in Michigan and Wisconsin. The administration had requested $250 million for the effort, and we appreciate the Congress showing its commitment to the Great Lakes by maintaining the program at $300 million.

Chesapeake Bay Program

The EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program, which plays an important role in improving the health of trout streams in the Bay watershed’s headwaters, received level funding at $73 million. Importantly, Congress maintained $6 million in funding for the EPA’s Small Watershed grant program administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, through which TU is working with partners in West Virginia, Virginia, and Pennsylvania on habitat restoration projects.

Considering the partisan fighting that has characterized this Congress, formulation of such a strong bill is a remarkable achievement. Trout Unlimited salutes Congress and the Obama Administration for getting the job done.

This post was written by Steve Moyer, TU’s vice president for government affairs. He works from TU’s Arlington, Va., headquarters. 

Colorado Introduces It's First Ever Water Plan

In 139 years of Colorado being a state, it had never had a water plan- until today. On Thursday, November 19 the Colorado Water Conservation Board unveiled the State's first ever water plan. The plan will help keep rivers and streams healthy that will continue to support Colorado's economy and quality of life.

“We’re pleased that the Colorado Water Plan recognizes that healthy rivers are central to Colorado’s quality of life and help drive our booming, $13 billion recreation economy,” said David Nickum, executive director of Colorado Trout Unlimited. “If we want a future of Gold Medal trout rivers and outdoor opportunities, we need to plan for that future—and this plan is a step in the right direction.”

Colorado Trout Unlimited supports three main components of the plan. The first being that irrigation throughout the state needs to be modernized, communities need to create stream management plans, and lastly, the plan establishes the base work for evaluation trans-mountain water diversion.

Primarily on the Western Slope, TU is working with farmers and ranchers on modernizing their irrigation techniques. The new water plan and Colorado General Assembly help fund the transition and provide incentives and support to farmers and ranchers changing their techniques.

The community Stream Management Plans will help local communities better understand the importance of flows that support a healthy river as well as recreational and other usage.

“Steam management plans bring local water users together to determine how best to use limited water resources,” Said Drew Peternell, director of TU’s Colorado Water Project. “They are an exercise in collaboration.”

TU has opposed trans-mountain water diversions unless there is a large focus on conservation, shows that water is available for the project, and guarantees against environmental or economic harm to the basin of origin.

The Colorado Water Plan is just a beginning. The true test will be the implementation of the proposed ideas.

“The Final Water Plan is a beginning not an end,” said Nickum. “The key to Colorado’s water future will be actual on-the-ground collaboration to meet our water needs while protecting our state’s rivers and agricultural heritage.”

Fishing Doesn't Hibernate in Winter

Winter in Colorado generally means ski gear is taking up most of the space in your car. But be sure to leave a little room for your waders and rod. Although the weather is colder, fly fishing remains hot. Fishing during the colder months is possibly the most rewarding time of year to fish. Not only does catching a fish justify the hours spent in the cold and wind, and give you a reason to spend more time in some of the best fisheries in the country, but winter trout require much more precise technique and skill than any other time of year.

When the air temperature drops, the water temperature drops with it. Like most fish, trout cannot regulate their body temperature and therefore operate at the same temperature as the water around them. When fish get too cold, they become sluggish and dormant.

Trout prefer temperature between the ranges of 45-65 degrees Fahrenheit- also known as the Trout Zone. This is no problem for summer days in Colorado when the water remains in this range, but during the winter, the temperature can drop below freezing. In order to survive, trout will find holes or eddies where the water may be warmer and stay low in the water.

In order to catch the fish in these spots it's best to use a nymph. Fish won't move more than a few inches to catch food. When their body is cold and metabolism is low, it's not worth the risk to waste energy by moving for a small reward that a bug might offer. Therefore, drop nymphs to the bottom of the stream where they can see it and move slightly to eat it.

When fishing in these winter streams, remember that trout are still alert and they know what it is worth wasting energy for and what is not. Every single move they make and bite they take is a gamble. If they strike and miss, that's a lot of energy wasted for no reward.

Winter streams are generally lower and clearer. Trout will be able to see your tippet if it's too big. Try to use one tippet smaller than what you'd normally use on that body of water. If you use a 5x tippet in spring and summer, drop to a 6X tippet in the winter months. This will not only help that the trout won't see the line, but that the nymph is presented more realistically.

For the same reason that the tippet should be shortened, it's also important to stay low. Because the water is clearer and lower, it gives the fish a better chance at seeing you.

While nymphing is the best tactic for winter trout, don't put all of your dry flies away quite yet. Keep a view on your vest because in deeper pools trout may still rise. This generally occurs in tailwaters (rivers that flow from bottom-released dams). In these tailwaters, the water is moving out of the dam fast enough that the water temperature generally remains in the Trout Zone year round.

During the winter trout will also eat minnows and crayfish, but remember they won't move too far for them to conserve energy. Fishing streamers is a good tactic but just like everything else, they need to be presented next to the trout ensuring they don't need to move as much.

Remember to keep fish in the water as long as possible, especially in the winter as the outside temperature can harm and possibly kill them. Use the fundamentals of proper handling when fishing.

So don't take that fly rod out of your car just yet- or ever. Because fly fishing never hibernates. And when you're stuck in ski traffic, there's no better way than to wait it out by wading out.

BLM Issues New EIS for Roan Plateau

Sportsmen welcome Roan Plateau progress Praise BLM draft plan as ‘important next step’ in efforts to conserve prized backcountry fishing and hunting lands

The Bureau of Land Management released its new draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Roan Plateau, a backcountry area prized by hunters and anglers for its fish and wildlife and a cornerstone of the area’s recreation economy.

Sportsmen’s groups are reviewing the draft EIS, but they welcomed the BLM’s designation of last year’s settlement as its preferred option in efforts to balance energy development with conservation.

“This keeps us moving toward a balanced, fair solution to protecting the Roan Plateau,” said David Nickum, executive director of Colorado Trout Unlimited. “We’re hopeful that the final management plan will preserve last year’s settlement, which protects the Roan’s best hunting and fishing habitat while allowing careful, responsible development of its energy reserves. Done right, we can meet both goals.”

TAKE ACTION: click to sign our petition to BLM supporting the Roan Plateau settlement.

In 2012, a federal court set aside the BLM’s prior management plan for energy leasing and remanded that plan for the agency to consider more protective development options. Last fall, a settlement was reached between BLM and Trout Unlimited, the National Wildlife Federation and other groups, represented by Earthjustice.

Under the settlement, BLM cancelled the majority of oil and gas leases on top of the Roan Plateau, including all of those in the Trapper and Northwater Creek watersheds—areas that encompass the best cutthroat trout habitat on the Roan. The BLM committed to considering a new management plan alternative that would allow for some limited development on remaining leases, preclude new leasing on top of the plateau for the life of the plan, and conserve important big game habitat at the base of the Roan.

“Hunters don’t call the Roan Plateau a ‘mule deer factory’ for nothing,” said John Gale, conservation director of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. “The hunting opportunities here are world class, and hunters in Colorado drive a nearly $1 million economic engine that generates sustainable revenue for local communities. BHA remains committed to the Roan Plateau and looks forward to working with the BLM to promote balanced development that prioritizes consideration of wildlife, hunting and fishing.”

For more than a decade, Colorado TU’s Grand Valley Anglers chapter, based in Grand Junction, has invested thousands of dollars and hundreds of volunteer hours into fish habitat and stream restoration projects on the Roan. The Roan holds in its small streams rare populations of genetically pure Colorado River cutthroat trout—a native species found in less than 10 percent of its historic range.

“Grand Valley Anglers is glad to know that progress is being made towards protecting the native Colorado River cutthroat trout on the Plateau,” said John Trammell, a Grand Valley Anglers volunteer who has worked on the Roan for over 20 years.  “We want to emphasize that drilling should be excluded from the drainages that hold native cutthroat trout, as agreed under the settlement.”

“Sportsmen and wildlife groups will continue to work with BLM and other parties in coming months to ensure that the balanced future for the Roan Plateau that is envisioned in these settlement provisions are adopted by the BLM in the final Resource Management Plan,” said Suzanne O’Neill, executive director of Colorado Wildlife Federation.

Hardrock Mining Bill Looks to Fund River Cleanup Costs

A bill introduced by Colorado and New Mexico legislators was introduced to Congress last week that would require a collection of royalties from companies mining on federal lands to provide funds for cleaning up abandoned mines. Senators Tom Udall, D-NM, Martin Heinrich, D-NM, and Michael Bennet, D-Colo unveiled the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2015 that would reform the 1872 Mining Law.

The Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2015 would require companies mining on federal land to pay royalties that go towards the cleanup and restoration of spills and abandoned mines. Currently, the 143 year old Mining Law does not require companies to pay royalties of any kind to fund the clean up of past and present mining projects. This is unlike the oil, coal, and gas industries which have been required to pay cleanup and restoration royalties for decades.

“It just makes sense to create the same kind of clean-up fund for hardrock mines,” said Brad Powell, director of Trout Unlimited’s Sportsmen’s Conservation Project for the Southwest region. “Mining companies that benefit from development on public lands should play a key role in the cleanup and not leave the bill for taxpayers.”

The bill was introduced exactly three months after the Gold King Mine spill that dumped 3 million gallons of toxic sludge into the Animas River near Durango. Fortunately there was no massive fish kill from the spill and the Animas is recovering nicely.

But the Gold King Mine is the tip of a very grim iceberg. Throughout the entire American West- from Colorado to Montana to California- abandoned mines pose an imminent threat to water quality and fisheries. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 40 percent of headwaters in the West are affected by abandoned hard rock mines.

Although the Animas was the most notable spill, the same tragedies are happening throughout the west. The Uncompahgre River near Ouray is lifeless until the metals fall into the depths of Ridgeway Reservoir. The upper Animas River suffers mine waste that steadily drains into the river at a volume equal that of the Gold King Mine spill once a week.

Senator Cory Gardner and Representative Scott Tipton are also working to introduce legislation for "Good Samaritans" like TU that would provide legal protection to those parties that voluntarily clean up abandoned mine sites and spills.

Behind the Fin: Allen Adinoff

• Name: Allen Adinoff
• Chapter President for Cutthroat Chapter
• TU Member for 10 years
• Semi-retired allergy and asthma doctor
• Best Quote from Allen: “We put in below the dam, and our oarsman told me we’d half to catch a fish before crossing under the cable.  As I was telling him he was full of bull... boom there she was!

- How long have you been a TU member? I've been a member for 10 years, give or take.

- What made you want to be President of the Cutthroat chapter? I thought the opportunity of Chapter president would give me a chance to further the TU mission, and become further involved with our members and Board. There was an opening, as our current President Cam Chandler was moving up to Vice-president of CTU. 

- What are some of your plans and goals for the Cutthroat Chapter?

We want to find ways to engage more members in becoming interested in the Chapter and it’s mission.  We have 1500 members, but the same 50 or so are the ones who consistently show up at the meetings and participate in the conservation projects. We have plans to initiate a “local fishing trip” program that would involve trips within an hour or less of south metro Denver. The goal would be to interest less experienced fishers to be “mentored” by the more knowledgeable. Hopefully this will interest newer, younger members to be more involved with the Chapter in general. We also want to expand our fundraising efforts, finding novel ways of bringing dollars into the Chapter. Two new programs initiated this year have been King Soopers gift cards and Amazon Smile.

- What is a favorite fishing spot and favorite fishing story? I love the Deckers area. The river canyon is gorgeous. It has really come back since the Hayman fire and is “home waters” for the Cutthroat Chapter. My favorite story is from fishing the Bighorn. We put in below the dam, and our oarsman told me we’d half to catch a fish before crossing under the cable.  As I was telling him he was full of bull... boom there she was!

- To you, what is the best tactic or fly for catching trout? Totally focusing on what you’re doing.  When you’re “in the zone”, good things will happen. - Beyond being an awesome angler, what else do you do in your spare time or for work? I’m semi-retired, still working a couple of days per week as an allergy and asthma doctor in a practice I’ve been devoted to for over 25 years. I love to hunt elk, deer, and pheasant. I also play drums with a weekly jazz group, cycle regularly, and still cut my lawn and own several chainsaws to keep in shape.

El Niño looks to revive the Colorado River Basin

Severe drought conditions have left the west starving for water. Reservoirs are dwindling down and the Colorado River is drying up before it can reach the Pacific Ocean. The area has tried to limit their water usage despite increased populations, but mother nature hasn't been too cooperative. Until she sent El Niño.

El Niño is classified by warmer than average surface waters in the Pacific ocean that cause warmer and drier than average temperatures over the western and northern United States with cooler and wetter than average conditions in the Southwest.

Currently, the warmer than average equatorial surface waters in the Pacific are moving further north, resulting in the strongest El Niño ever, surpassing the event in 1997 that dropped record amounts of snow in California and the Southwest.

This is great news for those along the Colorado River basin that are depending on a wet winter to bring life back to their crops, reduce drought conditions, and replenish their reservoirs.

The Colorado River basin receives the bulk of it's moisture in the form of summer monsoons and winter storms. These winter frontal systems, which are increased through El Niño, are what meteorologists are hoping will bring relief to the Colorado River basin.

"Winter and spring frontal systems originating in the North Pacific Ocean, provide the largest and most important source of moisture. These large-scale systems tend to carry moisture at higher levels in the atmosphere, with orographic effects of the mountainous West causing an increase in precipitation with elevation," according to the U.S. Geological Survey. "Cold frontal systems produce substantial amounts of snow above about 5,000 feet and rainfall at lower elevations in the Rocky, Uinta, and Wind River Mountains, which constitute the headwaters of the Colorado River and its principal tributary,the Green River. These storms build snowpacks that melt in the late spring, providing runoff to the Colorado River."

The increase in runoff will hopefully increase the flows of the Colorado, which are currently at some of the lowest recorded. But, unfortunately, with such dry surface conditions from consecutive drought years, the likelihood of flooding during the runoff is increased.

It's tough to predict the actual effects El Niño will bring, however meteoroligists are relying on previous El Niño events that have brought plenty of moisture to the Southwest, including the Colorado River basin.

What will occur throughout the state of Colorado remains to be seen with the unpredictable weather pattern.

Meteorologists are expecting Colorado's winter numbers to look close to average. However, according to the National Center for Atmospheric Research, 20-inch snowstorms are almost seven times as likely to occur during El Niño years. These snowstorms tend to happen in spring and fall while the mid-winter months drier than normal

Because Colorado is between the polar jet stream, causing warmer temperatures up north, and the subtropical jet stream, causing cooler temperatures in the south, it's tough to determine if Colorado will see any major changes.

According to UCAR (University Corporation for Atmospheric Research), the chances of having a wetter than average winter is roughly the same as having a dryer than average winter. "A single big storm surrounded by dry spells could leave a two- or three-month period close to or even below average, obscuring the impact of that one big storm."