Mission Statement

Democratizing Water Intelligence

The Rio Grande Sentinel is a free, Colorado-proud service dedicated to the betterment of science within the Rio Grande watershed of the San Luis Valley. Our mission is to democratize water intelligence, distilling complex river data into a highly curated Water Intelligence Feed and an intuitive Water Supply Dashboard for the everyday citizen and the agricultural steward.

We stand firmly behind the principle that San Luis Valley water belongs in the San Luis Valley. Safeguarding the water interests of local residents is not just a goal—it is our defining value. We are dedicated to providing the transparency needed to protect our resources from external thirst.

We hold a particular dedication to the rich history of Costilla County’s Acequia communities, ensuring their heritage is supported by modern data. By deploying The Emma Dean and The Flying Kayak for ground-truth verification, we bridge the gap between digital models and the physical river.

We are actively seeking synergistic partnerships to help grow this open resource. We invite water managers, researchers, and community leaders to join us in securing a transparent, data-driven future for the Valley.

Meet the Founder: Kevin

Class A Water Treatment Plant Operator | Veteran | Landowner

Kevin - Class A Operator

My journey with environmental data began in the hull of a ship as a Meteorologist for the US Navy. There, in the middle of the ocean, I learned that survival depends on accurate data, precise forecasting, and the discipline to respect the elements. Today, I apply that same military-grade rigor to the Rio Grande Sentinel Project.

I am currently a Class A Water Treatment Plant Operator, holding the highest level of licensure in the field. I don't just study water on a screen; I work with it, treat it, and manage it every single day. My technical background in hydrology is matched only by my passion for the land itself. As a property owner in Fort Garland, I am not an outsider looking in; I am a neighbor with a stake in the future of the San Luis Valley.

I am an avid outdoorsman—a hunter, an angler, and a conservationist. My time spent navigating the backcountry has taught me that we are merely stewards of these resources. My goal is simple: to conserve this environment so that the next generation—my nieces and nephews—can experience the same wild beauty that I cherish today.

Water is my Ikigai

The Intersection of Passion and Purpose

Ikigai is a Japanese concept meaning "a reason for being." It is the intersection of four fundamental pillars of life, and for me, that intersection is Water:

What I Love

The solitude of the river, the honest fight of a wild trout, and the unforgiving freedom of the high desert.

What I am Good At

The technical science of meteorology, GIS mapping, and rigorous water quality analysis.

What the World Needs

Transparent data, honest conservation, and the protection of the Rio Grande’s lifeblood.

My Vocation

The professional stewardship of our most precious resource. Protecting human health and the environment.

Elevation Aerial Imaging and GIS Mapping

Serving Those Who Feed Us

Farming the Valley has never been easy, and the water isn't getting any cheaper. We bridge the gap between satellite science and the shovel. No corporate jargon, no complex spreadsheets—just the immediate, actionable intelligence you need to safeguard your water and maximize your yield. We fly so you don't have to guess.

Veteran owned.   |   Mission driven.

Elevation Aerial Seal
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Rio Grande Sentinel Project

The Council of Nine

Giants Upon Whose Shoulders We Stand.

Pillars of Prophetic Warning, Data Visualization, and Systems Thinking. Luminaries of Environmentalism, and Stewards of Public Health. They serve as our heroic inspiration, whose world changing concepts steer our project forward.

John Wesley Powell

John Wesley Powell

"You cannot conserve what you do not understand."

The Prophet of the West. His 1878 report warned that the arid West could not be settled like the East. We follow his call for watershed-based governance.

Edward Abbey

Edward Abbey

"Sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul."

The Desert Anarchist. A reminder that data is useless without the passion to defend the land. He represents the grit required to speak truth to power.

Dr. John Snow

Dr. John Snow

"I shall take the handle off the pump."

The Father of Data Viz. By mapping the 1854 Cholera outbreak, he proved that visualizing hidden connections saves lives. He is our model for public health vigilance.

Aldo Leopold

Aldo Leopold

"To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering."

The Ethical Steward. He taught us that the community includes the soil, waters, plants, and animals. We strive to uphold his 'Land Ethic.'

Rachel Carson

Rachel Carson

"In nature, nothing exists alone."

The Warning Voice. She challenged the chemical industry and sparked the modern environmental movement. A symbol of courage against corporate consensus.

Alexander von Humboldt

Alexander von Humboldt

"Nature is a living whole."

The First Ecologist. He invented the concept of isotherms and saw the unity in diversity. He inspires our holistic approach to climate and geography.

Marc Reisner

Marc Reisner

"Water flows uphill towards money."

The Historian of Theft. Author of Cadillac Desert. He exposed the corruption of Western water politics. We document the reality he predicted.

Edward Tufte

Edward Tufte

"Escaping the flatland."

The Visual Philosopher. The master of information design. He reminds us that complex data must be clear, honest, and free of 'chartjunk.'

Dr. James Hansen

Dr. James Hansen

"The physics are clear."

The Climate Prophet. NASA scientist who testified to Congress in 1988. He represents the duty of the scientist to speak when the data reveals danger.