CPW hosting public meeting to discuss potential water temp standard changes in Arkansas River below Lake Pueblo dam

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) says it is hosting a public meeting on Thursday for a proposal on adjusting water temperature standards in the Arkansas River below the Lake Pueblo dam.

According to CPW, the one-hour meeting will take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 24 in the Lake Pueblo State Park Visitor Center. Officials say it is a follow-up to a meeting that was held in 2023, and not related to the drought or low flows on the Arkansas River this year.

CPW says it plans to discuss the history of the current water temperatures standards and why they want to adjust them. They say there will also be time for questions and discussion at the end. CPW says it's involved in discussions because of a section of the river that includes the Pueblo State Fish Hatchery, one of 19 that CPW operates.

“CPW is seeking to adjust temperature standards to match existing conditions for the Arkansas River from the dam to its confluence with Wildhorse/Dry Creek Arroyo, about five miles east,” said Mindi May, CPW’s water quality program coordinator, in a press release. “Pueblo Reservoir naturally influences water temperatures in this stretch of the river. The proposed standards would better reflect the temperatures that currently occur downstream of the reservoir while continuing to protect the existing cold water fishery.”

CPW says it is proposing the existing water temperature standards stay the same for January through June, and adjust for warmer river temperatures in July through December.

The meeting will also be available on Zoom.

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