Lower Ark's Mission

To acquire, retain and conserve water resources within the Lower Arkansas River. To encourage the use of such water for the socio-economic benefit of the District citizens. To participate in water-related projects that will embody thoughtful conservation, responsible growth, and beneficial water usage within the Lower Arkansas Valley, including the acceptance of conservation easements, with or without water.

LAVWCD Past and Present

LAVWCD Past and Present
November Election 2002:  64% of the voters in Pueblo, Otero, Crowley, Bent, and Prowers County approved an initiative to form the Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District (LAVWCD).  The seven members that make up the Board of Directors were appointed in December 2002 to initially serve one-year terms.  Based on population, each county has one seat on the Board with Pueblo County holding three total seats.

LAVWCD Directors: Representing Pueblo County are Directors: Melissa Esquibel, Anthony Nunez, and Reeves Brown; Representing Otero County: Director, Willard Behm; Representing Crowley County: Director, Jim Valliant; Representing Bent County: Director, Lynden Gill; and Representing Prowers County: Director, Leroy Mauch.

LAVWCD staff members:  Jay Winner, Executive Director; Bill Hancock, Conservation Program Manager; Brenda Fillmore, Finance/Water Manager; Jack Goble P.E., Engineer; Mike Weber, E.I.T Engineer; Bart Mendenhall, In-House Attorney, and Peter Nichols, Special Counsel.

Cover crops is an off-season crop used to maintain the soil integrity to prevent erosion from wind and rain. Cover crops are also used to increase organic material in the soil to help with water retention during growing seasons.” This is a practice that is under-utilized and usually used for the purpose of erosion control, however Lower Ark is looking into using this method as a water quality agent. ​