Summit County: May moisture well above average

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Summit County was wet, but much of the state was dry

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The central and north-central Colorado mountains were a bullseye for May precipitation as well as below-average temperatures.

By Bob Berwyn

FRISCO — The two official National Weather Service observation sites in Summit County both reported above-average precipitation in May, helping to bolster snowpack and runoff in the Blue River Basin.

In Breckenridge, weather-watcher Ricky Bly reported 22.9 inches of snow, nearly double the long-time average of 10.9 inches based on records going back more than 100 years. It was the second month in a row with double the average snowfall. In April, Bly tallied nearly 50 inches of snow, making it the fifth-wettest April on record. (more…)

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Drought watch: Straight Creek flows still above 2002 levels

Posted on July 21, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Water monitoring on Straight Creek. Photo by Bob Berwyn.

Low flows could trigger watering restrictions

By Trevor Giles, Dillon utilities superintendent

The main source of drinking water for the Town of Dillon is Straight Creek. Straight Creek begins at the top of the Continental Divide above the Eisenhower Johnson Tunnels, and flows down along I-70 into Dillon Valley. Projects to protect the water quality in Straight Creek include fire mitigation, sediment collection and barriers. Rapid response to hazardous materials spills is also critically important for Dillon’s water supply.

The Town of Dillon shares Straight Creek and the diversion with Dillon Valley Metropolitan District.  The flows in Straight Creek are above levels that we saw in 2002 but they are still 73 percent below normal. Based on historical records we feel that trend will continue into the fall.  The Town of Dillon currently does not have any raw water storage that is connected to the town such as a lake or reservoir. (more…)

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Summit County: Old Dillon Reservoir project back on track

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Enlargement project should be done by July 31

The Old Dillon Reservoir construction site. PHOTO BY BOB BERWYN.

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — After a temporary hiccup, the $7 million Old Dillon Reservoir enlargement project is set to get back on track with an estimated completion date of July 31, according to county manager Gary Martinez and Dillon water department supervisor Trevor Giles.

If there’s water available in Salt Lick Gulch, officials hope to start filling the reservoir late this summer.

The project, which aims to create more local water storage by expanding the existing reservoir from 62 acre feet to 288 acre feet, was to have been completed by the end of October, 2011, but contractors working on the site got off to a bad start last summer, Martinez said. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, Environment, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news, water | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

Mountain Mama: Expectant and empowered

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Mountain mama: Emily Palm.

Our erstwhile ski columnist Emily Palm muses on impending motherhood

By Emily Palm
I think La Niña this year is a pregnant lady, hormones raging and roaring: “If I don’t get to ski, then NOBODY gets to ski.”

Oh wait, that’s me when I feel like Ursula in her final scene in The Little Mermaid.

Lest I out myself as a petty, selfish person, I should clarify that represents only one of the many moments of being “with child.” I’d like to think most of the time I emanate a content maternal glow. As with everything, the truth must lie somewhere in between.

For something that has happened 7 billion times in the last century, pregnancy sure feels unique when it happens to you. (more…)

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Morning photo: Weird ice

Posted on December 13, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Along Straight Creek …

Melting and refreezing, the waters of Straight Creek form some elaborate natural ice sculptures.

SUMMIT COUNTY — Took the dogs for a walk along Straight Creek and found these strange formations where overhanging roots and tree branches have been coated with layers of frost and ice. It almost looked like the inside of a miniature ice cave. The tones and hues are consistent throughout the series, reflecting the muted light of an overcast afternoon. (more…)

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Summit County: Autumn snowfall close to normal

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

November one of the driest months in the high country

November often brings the formation of spectacular lenticular clouds over the Continental Divide, as the overall weather pattern changes.

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — October snowfall in Summit County was close to average in October with 12.4 inches at Rick Bly’s official observation station in Breckenridge, compared to the historic average 12.3 inches. But between the snow and some rain during the month, the snow-water equivalent for October ended up at 1.55 inches, about 22 percent more than the average 1.27 inches, according to Bly.

For Bly, October has long been an indicator month, when above-average snowfall often — but not always — portends continued snowy weather during the rest of the winter. This year’s middle-of-the-road total might suggest average snowfall for the winter, a forecast that’s in line with official predictions, based on moderate La Niña conditions.

In Dillon, where Denver Water records precipitation and temperatures, 7 inches of snow piled up during the month, compared to the historic average of 7.7 inches, based on records going back to 1909. The weather station moved once during that period, so the stats are from two different locations. Similarly, the water content of the snow was above average, at 1.49 inches compared to the normal 1.07 inches. (more…)

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Morning photo: Celebrating Summit County

Posted on October 10, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Summit County Real Estate Agent Henry Barr
Summit County Real Estate Agent

High country splendor

Dawn lights up the summits of the Gore Range above Dillon and Silverthorne, Colorado.

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — Searching the Summit Voice archives for potential 2012 calendar pictures, I created a folder with pictures of all the towns in Summit County. I don’t usually set out specifically to capture images of towns, but during the past couple of years, I have compiled a few decent shots showing the setting and the vibe of Frisco, Dillon, Breckenridge and Silverthorne — each with its own backdrop and character.

I often drive past the classic Breckenridge scene on my way to old courthouse to cover county commissioner meetings.

Thanks to Summit County real estate agent Henry Barr for sponsoring today’s photo essay. You can click here to connect with Barr’s Facebook page. (more…)

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Summit County: Lane closures on Dillon Dam road

Posted on October 1, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Road scheduled to re-open 24-7 at the end of October

Lane closure set as crews finish up security work on Dillon Dam Road.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Finishing up security enhancements on Dillon Dam Road next will require closing one lane of the road near the scenic overlook. The lane closure is necessary so crews can finish the curb and gutter construction and asphalt paving. The closure is scheduled from Oct. 3 to Oct. 7.

Flaggers will be present to direct traffic in both directions, which should result in only minimal delays. Installation of the entry station buildings and lighting will continue until Oct. 31. The normal nightly road closure from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. will continue until all the work is complete at the end of October. (more…)

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Summit County: Pilates explained

Posted on July 23, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Marjorie Biggs challenges Summit to unite mind and body

Marjorie Biggs shows proper Pilates form at Body Essentials in Dillon.

By Jennifer Brancaccio

SUMMIT COUNTY — Walking into the Body Essentials Pilates studio in Dillon,  I was reminded of drawings of a medieval torture chamber. Rack-like apparatuses with straps were lined up in one area, while thick wooden chairs and medicine balls were stacked along another wall. It seemed pretty intimidating as I entered for a short class and interview with the instructor, Marjorie Biggs. What I didn’t know was that my first impressions would be far from accurate.

Joseph Pilates invented the practice in the early 1900s. His various exercises were originally called Contrology because he believed that his method allowed the mind to control the muscles. Through uniting body, mind and spirit, the benefits of Pilates included increased core strength, flexibility, balance, coordination and body awareness.

In 2005, 11 million people were practicing Pilates and there were more than 14 thousand instructors. Pilates focuses on breathing, engaging the core muscles of the abdomen, back, hips and buttocks. Concentrating on flowing movements during Pilates builds uniform development and strengthens instabilities. (more…)

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Summit County: Walk-in video rental options dwindle fast

Posted on February 7, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Where do you get your movies? Click on the inage to see the Facebook discussion.

Dillon Blockbuster closing down; many locals get movies via the web

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — A combination of factors, including the lousy economy of the past couple of years and the growing availability of on-demand movies via the web, took another bite out of local brick and mortar stores.

The Dillon Blockbuster closing is related to an overall recapitalization process. Here’s a short statement from Blockbuster:

“As part of the recapitalization process, Blockbuster will be evaluating its U.S. store portfolio with a view towards enhancing the overall profitability of the store operations.  No decisions have been made at this time.  Decisions will be made on a store-by-store basis over the next several months.  More information is available at http://www.blockbuster.com/recapitalization.”

The Dillon Blockbuster is not renting movies any more and is in the process of liquidating all its inventory and Dillon’s Hole In The Wall video rental store recently converted to an army surplus store, according to Summit Voice reader Fiona Leaver Kennard, who said the shop will continue to carry a few rental videos.

“I have and will still continue to go to Hole In The Wall video  … I will always support the locals. I will not get my movies from RedBox or Netflix,” Leaver Kennard said via Facebook.

A shift lead working at Blockbuster Sunday said the high rent — $17,000 per month — charged by Dillon Ridge shopping center management didn’t help matters. The Blockbuster property is not owned by Miller-Weingarten Realty LLC, the company that manages most of the commercial space at Dillon Ridge. (more…)

Filed under: business, economy, Summit County Colorado | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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