How River Network Supports Integrated River Management (IRM)
Integrated River Management (IRM) has proved beneficial for both people and the environment, from improved water quality and flood resilience to more recreational opportunities.
River Network is collaborating with community-based organizations and governments in the Colorado River Basin to bring IRM into the planning conversation, including Colorado Water Conservation Board, The Nature Conservancy, American Rivers, the Yampa River Collaborative, and RiversEdge West. We are developing watershed plans that embrace the whole ecosystem, incorporate local values, and prioritize long-term resilience over short-term gains. But there is more work to be done.
Many organizations, in Colorado and beyond, struggle to find the capacity and funding to execute these broad and comprehensive plans. A lack of knowledge sharing, capacity to collaborate, and few incentives to innovate mean that we have fewer champions of IRM than our rivers need. We’re trying to fix that.
NEW Floodplain Management Resources in the State Policy Hub
The State Policy Hub has expanded to include a dedicated State Action for Healthy Rivers section. Here, you’ll find resources to support your floodplain management efforts, including state policies, resolutions, and plans related to aquatic litter, bolstering Clean Water Act protections, and floodplain restoration.
Head over to the Floodplain Restoration & Protection section for essential context, definitions, and case studies. You can also access interviews with network practitioners in Vermont and Washington who are leading the charge in floodplain management. This policy database is here for you to imagine and discover how you can champion healthier rivers and resilient floodplains in your state.
