On Tuesday, August 26, magnesium chloride was applied to the dirt road between the two swinging gates on Moyer Ranch, as well as in selected areas on Empire Valley Drive above the cattle guard.

This treatment helps reduce dust, minimize washboarding, and extend the life of the road, which in turn lowers maintenance needs. Magnesium chloride is the same product CDOT uses on highways during the winter to help reduce ice, so residents may already be familiar with it.

Road base has also been applied and will continue to be applied to various segments of Empire Valley Drive from the lower gate up to Gabbro Circle. This will be completed at various times over the next week or two.

Thank you for your patience as we work to keep our roads in good condition.

Recently, the lower lake’s water level was reduced by about 24 inches over an 8-day period. While the speed of the drawdown was unusual, it was carried out in accordance with the 2007 water decree that governs the lakes.

Our community holds junior water rights, while Moyer Ranch holds senior rights. Our water decree requires that water be controlled only by lowering the level of the lower lake. In recent years, water releases from the lower lake have been coordinated gradually with Moyer Ranch to match their actual needs, typically lowering the lake by about 3 inches per week when required.

This year, new water officials followed the decree’s allowances without being aware of this past practice, leading to a faster drawdown than usual. Low snowpack, hot and dry summer conditions, and lack of monsoon rains have resulted in reduced Empire Creek flows, which also contributed to the low lake levels. The water commission has agreed that future drawdowns will be better coordinated and are expected to return to the gradual process used in prior years.

The leading fish biologist for the Upper Arkansas River, Greg Bunjak, has been hired as a consultant in the past. He said that based on the altitude and depth of our lake, fishing is not a problem. If the surface water gets too warm, the fish will seek cooler water at a deeper level.

Arkansas Valley Water Collaborative and Colorado Firecamp chipping crews will be in Beaver Lakes on August 22, 2025. This is a great opportunity to protect your buildings and the forest.

Please take the time to read this linked document on fire mitigation: Protecting Your Home from Wildfire. This may help save your home.

The cost for the crew and chipper is $150 per hour with an estimated cost of $75 per participant. (Renting a chipper is about $450.)

Here is all you need to do:

• Sign up to get your slash piles chipped: https://arkcollaborative.org/our-work/watershed-health/forest-health-fuels-mitigation/chipping-program/
• Click on: “Sign up”
• Build piles next to the road with all the butt ends facing one way.
• Do not include root balls. They can contain rocks that will damage the chipper. They will not be fed into the chipper
• In addition to dead trees include green trees and branches that have been cut away from the perimeter of your buildings.
• Do not include any trees with a trunk diameter over 6”. That should be used for firewood.
• Sage can NOT be included.
• Homeowners do not need to be home to participate but the crews appreciate the help if you are able.