Eagle River Coalition Unites to Manage Summer Drought in Edwards

The heat is already baking the asphalt on U.S. Highway 6, and the Eagle River, usually a robust ribbon of blue, is beginning to show its ribs. Down in Edwards, the water level is low enough that you can see the gravel bars where the current slows, a visual cue that locals have known for generations means trouble is coming. This summer, that trouble isn't just a possibility — it’s a forecast.

The Eagle River Coalition (ERC) isn't hiding from the reality. They rebranded from the Eagle River Watershed Council in 2024, swapping "Council" for "Coalition" with deliberate intent. The old name suggested a group that met occasionally to discuss issues. The new name signals a unified front ready to act. As Todd Winslow Pierce notes, the organization is leaning hard into that coalition identity because experts agree this summer will be "unprecedentedly challenging" for local rivers.

"We are fulfilling our mission to advocate and protect the health of the Eagle River and its tributaries by working with other nonprofits, agencies, special districts and municipalities," Pierce says. "to help educate and inform about the upcoming challenges that are anticipated this summer."

The question for neighbors in Eagle County isn't whether the water will be tight. It's whether they'll be ready to manage it. The ERC is coordinating with a web of partners to ensure the watershed survives the heat. One of the first lines of defense is the backyard. The coalition is partnering with the Eagle County Conservation District to push the Beyond Lawn program. This isn't just about aesthetics; it's about resource management. The initiative helps community members replace nonfunctional turf with water-wise landscaping, keeping more water in the river and riparian areas.

Round 1 of the Beyond Lawn HOA Mini-Grant Program is open until May 31. Eligible Homeowners Associations can access up to $10,000 for smart controllers, drip conversions, pressure regulation, professional water audits, and certified irrigation contractor labor. It’s a tangible incentive to stop wasting water on grass that doesn't need it.

Beyond the lawn, the bigger machinery of water management is kicking into gear. The ERC is amplifying the message of the Eagle River Water & Sanitation District’s Water Shortage Response Plan. This plan aims to curtail excessive outdoor water usage through education, fines, and surcharges. The district is using specific indicators of severe drought to guide decision-making and policy development, making conservation a mandatory part of the local economy, not just a suggestion.

There’s also the fire factor. Dry conditions increase wildfire risk, and wildfires devastate water resources by washing away topsoil and clogging rivers with ash. The ERC is advancing the work of the Eagle County Wildfire Collaborative to mitigate these impacts. Meanwhile, the Eagle Valley Land Trust is promoting land stewardship measures outlined in its Conservation Plan and the Eagle River Community Water Plan.

All of this is being bankrolled, in part, by the Eagle River Fund. This fund is generating a permanent source dedicated to projects benefiting the watershed. The ERC and the fund are partnering to host educational events, ensuring that the money has a clear path to action.

The strategy is clear: coordinate, conserve, and prepare. The ERC is working closely with many other entities in the Eagle River Valley to ensure that the local watershed’s aquatic habitat is protected. It’s a shift from passive observation to active management.

"The numbers back that up," Pierce says, noting that the coalition model allows for faster, more integrated responses to the drought. "We are working closely to coordinate with many other entities... to ensure that the local watershed’s aquatic habitat is protected."

Time will tell if the coalition can hold the line against the heat. But for now, the message from the board is that they’re not just watching the river — they’re managing it.