Tom Murphy sworn in as Conservancy District board member

Tom Murphy was sworn in as a new board member of the Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District at the monthly board meeting Thursday in Salida.

Eleventh District Court Chief Judge Amanda Hunter appointed Murphy to the board in late January. He will represent Division 3 in the Conservancy District — the northern part of Chaffee County corresponding to County School District R-31 (Buena Vista School District).

Murphy said he’s lived in the Upper Arkansas Valley for about 45 years. He and his wife, Sue, ran a dude ranch for 40 years, and Murphy continues to irrigate land to grow hay near Johnson Village and Nathrop.

The seat was previously held by Warren Diesslin and is one of two Division 3 seats. The other Division 3 board member is Brett McMurry.

The Upper Ark District was founded in 1979 “for the purpose of protecting and securing water in the Upper Arkansas Valley.”