America’s ice-climbing epicenter, Ouray, was facing a grim future as climate change threatened its water supply. However, an unexpected solution emerged when Ouray Silver Mines offered to lease millions of liters of water annually to the ice park for just a $1 fee.
Located in the Rockies at an altitude of 2,400 meters, Ouray is known worldwide for its artificial ice park, which has attracted climbers for 30 years. The park depends on water from a nearby gorge that freezes in winter, creating climbing routes. But a long-standing drought, worsened by climate change, endangered this vital resource, especially as the number of visitors grew.
Mountain guide Clint Cook recalled how the community had to carefully manage water usage just to keep the ice park running. "We need that water in the tank to build ice," he said.
The partnership with Ouray Silver Mines will change that. Peter O'Neil, executive director of the nonprofit Ouray Ice Park, explained that the mine’s water would provide up to five times more water than they currently use, reducing their reliance on the town's water tanks. This will ensure the future of the park and the local businesses that depend on winter tourism.
Without the ice park, O'Neil said, Ouray, a small village of around 900 people, would become a "ghost town" in the winter, with most businesses closed. The ice park attracts thousands of visitors each year, generating about $18 million for the local economy.
The silver mine’s donation is seen as a win for the community and the mining industry. Brian Briggs, the former CEO of Ouray Silver Mines, noted that the mine was entitled to the water by Colorado's water rights laws but wasn’t using it. He saw the water donation as a way to improve the mine’s image and contribute to the local community.
This partnership comes at a crucial time as the warming climate creates more challenges for the ice park. Ideal conditions require consecutive days with temperatures below -7°C (19°F), so having access to reliable water is essential. With this agreement in place, the future of the park and its climbing routes looks secure.
For climbers like Jen Brinkley, who has been visiting Ouray for 30 years, the water from the mine promises to ensure the park remains operational, with more routes for climbers to enjoy and spread out. "With more routes open, everybody can have a chance to climb," she said.
