Colorado Introduces It's First Ever Water Plan

In 139 years of Colorado being a state, it had never had a water plan- until today. On Thursday, November 19 the Colorado Water Conservation Board unveiled the State's first ever water plan. The plan will help keep rivers and streams healthy that will continue to support Colorado's economy and quality of life.

“We’re pleased that the Colorado Water Plan recognizes that healthy rivers are central to Colorado’s quality of life and help drive our booming, $13 billion recreation economy,” said David Nickum, executive director of Colorado Trout Unlimited. “If we want a future of Gold Medal trout rivers and outdoor opportunities, we need to plan for that future—and this plan is a step in the right direction.”

Colorado Trout Unlimited supports three main components of the plan. The first being that irrigation throughout the state needs to be modernized, communities need to create stream management plans, and lastly, the plan establishes the base work for evaluation trans-mountain water diversion.

Primarily on the Western Slope, TU is working with farmers and ranchers on modernizing their irrigation techniques. The new water plan and Colorado General Assembly help fund the transition and provide incentives and support to farmers and ranchers changing their techniques.

The community Stream Management Plans will help local communities better understand the importance of flows that support a healthy river as well as recreational and other usage.

“Steam management plans bring local water users together to determine how best to use limited water resources,” Said Drew Peternell, director of TU’s Colorado Water Project. “They are an exercise in collaboration.”

TU has opposed trans-mountain water diversions unless there is a large focus on conservation, shows that water is available for the project, and guarantees against environmental or economic harm to the basin of origin.

The Colorado Water Plan is just a beginning. The true test will be the implementation of the proposed ideas.

“The Final Water Plan is a beginning not an end,” said Nickum. “The key to Colorado’s water future will be actual on-the-ground collaboration to meet our water needs while protecting our state’s rivers and agricultural heritage.”

Colorado's Gold Medal Waters

Recently on our Facebook page we posted about Colorado's Gold Medal waters. Colorado is home to 322 miles of Gold Medal Fisheries that include 11 different rivers and three lakes. In order to qualify as a Gold Medal water, the area must be able to produce a minimum of 12 "quality trout" (14+ inches) per acre. It also must be able to produce 60 pounds of standing stock (the amount of living organisms in the ecosystem- including fish, plant life and micro invertebrates) per acre, and can only be designated Gold Medal if the water is accessible to the public.

The newest section of the Gold Medal list is 102 miles of the Arkansas River that was designated in 2014. Although the Arkansas is the longest stretch of Gold Medal river, all offer fantastic fishing opportunities. Make sure to check out the local fishing regulations and the locations of some private lands before heading out!

Animas River brown trout post spill

Animas River (4 miles)

Despite the spill back in August, the Animas River near Durango remains a Gold Medal fishery as there was no massive fish kill resulted from the spill and the fishing remains strong. The Gold Medal stretch is between Lightner Creek to Rivera Crossing Bridge and holds plenty of rainbow and brown trout between 14-18".

Arkansas River (102 miles)

In 2014, after 20 years of cleaning up mining pollution in the river, Colorado Parks and Wildlife designated a 102 mile stretch between the Lake Fork Confluence and the U.S. 50 bridge as the newest and largest stretch of Gold Medal waters in Colorado.

Blue River (34 miles)

The Blue River flows north out of Dillon Reservoir and follows Highway 9 until the water meets with the Colorado River in Kremmling. The entire stretch of the Blue River segment is artificial fly and lure only. Various species of trout and Kokanee Salmon call this water home.

labrador brook trout

Colorado River (20 miles)

20 miles of the Colorado River between the US 40 bridge (approx three miles west of Hot Sulphur Springs) to the confluence with the Williams Fork River east of Kremmling is designated as a Gold Medal river. This stretch holds brook, brown and rainbow trout. Regulations vary along this stretch.

Fryingpan river (14 miles)

Below the Ruedi Dam downstream to the confluence with the Roaring Fork River, about 14 miles of the Fryingpan has achieved Gold Medal status. The section of the river is catch and release only and contains brown and rainbow trout.

Roaring Fork River (22 miles)

Where the Fryingpan meets the Roaring Fork, the water remains a Gold Medal section until it meets the Colorado River in Glenwood Springs. Mountain whitefish, brown and rainbow trout are in this stretch.

Gore Creek (4 miles)

One of the smallest sections of Gold Medal waters in Colorado is Gore Creek. The section is about 4 miles between the confluence with Red Sandstone Creek downstream to the confluence with the Eagle River. Primarily brown trout are caught in this water.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Gunnison River (27 miles)

Rainbow and trophy brown trout can be found in the Gold Medal section of the Gunnison River between the Crystal Reservoir dam downstream to the confluence with the Smith Fork. The section of the Gunnison flows through Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monumnet.

North Platte River (5 miles)

Another small section of Gold Medal waters is the North Platte River. The section flows from the southern boundary of the Routt National Forest downstream to the Wyoming state line. Although the section is smaller in distance, the brook, rainbow and brown trout are anything but small.

Rio Grande River (17 miles)

West of Del Norte, the Rio Grande river holds wuality brown and rainbow trout, making it a Gold Medal waters. The 17 mile stretch flows from the Colo 149 bridge at South Fork downstream to the Rio Grande Canal diversion structure.

Middle Fork South Platte

South Platte River (37 miles, 3 sections)

Two sections of the South Plate River make up Gold Medal streams. The first is about 20 miles from the Colo 9 bridge downstream to Spinney Mountain Reservoir. The second section is below Spinney Mountain to the inlet of Eleven Miles Reservoir, about 4 miles. This section is commonly known as the "Dream Stream." The third section is from the lower boundary of the Wigwam Club downstream to Scraggy View Picnic Ground

Spinney Mountain Reservoir

Spinney Mountain is a 2,500 surface acre lake formed by the South Platte River. The body of water separates two sections of the South Platte Gold Medal waters and is a gold medal section in itself. Trophy rainbow and brown trout as well as northern pike can be caught in this water.

Steamboat Reservoir

"Outstanding water" designation for Bear and Severy Creeks helps protect the threatened greenback cutthroat trout, Colorado's state fish

At 1,053 surface acres, Steamboat Reservoir offers trout of various kinds including the Snake River cutthroat trout. Along with great fishing, the lake offers fantastic views with Hahn's Peak forming part of the scenery.

North Delaney Lake

Near Walden, Colorado, sits North Delaney Lake, another Gold Medal body of water. The lake is 160 surface acres but offers great fishing for rainbow, brown and cutbow trout.

Proper Fish Handling Techniques

That 20" Rainbow you've been going for all day has just been netted. You hand the camera to a buddy, grab the trout out of the net and hold it up at eye level so the world can see the ear-to-ear grin. Upon reviewing the photo, you ask for another one- still holding the fish two feet above the water. The photo is finally good enough for Facebook so you place the fish into the river and let it hang in the water for a second before it regains strength and swims away awkwardly while high-fives are shared. The "Catch and Release" hashtag may tell everyone that the fish is back out there to be caught again, but the grip-n-grin picture shows an entirely different scenario.

That beautiful rainbow may have swam away. It's energy may seem like it was back to normal, but the fish is actually still in distress- and when trout are in distress, the chances of it dying are significantly increased.

The Fight

It all starts when the hook is set and the fight begins. According to Dr. Andy Danylchuk, an associate professor of fish conservation at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, fish release sugar (glucose) into their blood to fuel muscle activity and fight when they are hooked. When the excess glucose levels are released, it causes a build up of lactate in the blood and can have long-lasting affects on muscle function. This is the same issue that occurs in humans when they suffer a cramp during exercise.

It's best practice to not play with the fish to the point of exhaustion. Do everything you can to land the fish as quickly as possible.

Air Exposure and Handling

Once the fish is landed, the stress doesn't end. In fact it could be increased due to prolonged air exposure and poor handling techniques.

Taking the fish out water essentially stops the trout's ability to breathe. Fish breathe air by taking water in through their mouth, over the gills and out through the gill flaps (the operculum). "Taking fish out of the water stops dissolved oxygen from getting into the blood via the gills. No, the gills are not adapted to capture oxygen from air," says Dr. Danylchuck. "We are forcing the fish to hold its breath after running a race."

Even if the fish is out of water for only a few seconds, harm could still be done through improper handling. When handling a fish, always wet your hands prior to any touching. Trout have a protective coating (a slime layer) that protects them from disease. Wet hands reduce the risk of rubbing too much of the slime layer off. Adversely, when touched with dry hands, the coating is likely to rub off the trout's skin onto yours- leaving them exposed to disease.

Reducing exposure and handling time can be aided by using barbless hooks, or simply crimping the barbs on current hooks. If the hook is too deep, "several studies have shown that it is much better to cut the line and leave the hook in place rather than trying to dig the hook out," says Dr. Danylchuck.

Overall, the best practice would be to remove the hook while the fish is in the water.

This isn't to say that taking a fish out of water will definitively kill the fish. There are tricks to minimizing air exposure and handling while still getting photo proof of your catch.

Allow the cameraman "to call the shots and get the angler to keep the fish in the water until the camera is ready," says Dr. Dalynchuck. Holding the fish only a few inches over the water will also help reduce air time. Regardless of the photo, however, the fish should be dripping wet (which makes the shot look even cooler). Underwater cameras make for a nice image as well.

Releasing

When it comes to releasing trout, it's not as simple as getting it back in the water and then it will be fine, (hopefully, it doesn't need to leave the water). Even when the handling time is minimal, fish still need be released properly as well. When fish have experienced considerable physiological stress due to exercise and handling, they can lose their equilibrium, coordinated movements of their fins and roll or nosedive- resulting in death further on downstream.

Good fundamentals in releasing, involve placing the fish in the water with it's head pointing into the current. Remember that the water needs to go through their mouth to exit the gill flap. Anglers should grip the fish lightly and look for coordinated fin movements to show that the fish has their equilibrium and can swim regularly own their own before letting the it go.

"Move a fish in a forward direction when helping it recover, do not move a fish back and forth—recall that water moving backwards over the gills does not help, but in fact, can actually harm the fish," says Dr. Danylchuck. "Let the fish go when its fins are showing coordinated movements, it can keep itself upright and it is actively trying to swim away from you."

Remember that fish belong in the water and as responsible anglers it's up to us to help protect and keep them there. This includes, keeping the fight time minimal, reducing the trout's air exposure, keeping hands wet, and releasing the fish back into the water properly.

For more information on the affects of keeping fish wet, visit KeepEmWet.org or read Dr. Dalynchuck's Fundamentals of Fish report.

Learning by Doing Seeks Coordinator

The Learning by Doing (LBD) Cooperative Effort represents a unique partnership program between East and West Slope stakeholders in Colorado. LBD is, in essence, a monitoring and adaptive management program with the goal of maintaining, and where possible, improving the health of Colorado River headwater streams in Grand County. As described in more detail below, LBD reflects an entirely new approach to managing water resources through innovation, collaboration and broad stakeholder involvement. The LBD Committee has an immediate need for a qualified candidate to serve as the Committee Coordinator. By providing organizational and administrative support, the Committee Coordinator will facilitate the achievement of the LBD Committee’s goals. The Committee Coordinator’s duties include, but are not limited to: working closely with Committee members; arranging meetings; taking/distributing notes; ensuring tasks are completed; assisting with public outreach efforts; updating the project web site; accounting; fund raising and other coordination duties.  This is a contract position, requiring an average of approximately 15 hours per week. Regularly scheduled LBD meetings are typically held in Grand County or Denver, requiring some travel and flexibility. This contract position is being funded through a grant in the amount of $30,000 per year for a period of four (4) years. Contingent on funding, the duration of this position could be extended beyond four years. Trout Unlimited is the grantee and will manage the funds under the terms of the grant for the benefit of the LBD Committee. There is no permanent office or work space associated with this position. The compensation package does not include benefits.

Background on Learning By Doing The Upper Colorado River system and the Fraser/Williams Fork rivers provide important aquatic habitat and serve as a critical municipal, agricultural, recreational and industrial water supply for the state as a whole. A substantial percentage of the native flows of the Colorado, Fraser and Williams Fork rivers is currently diverted for Front Ranger water supply projects, and as a result, the health of the rivers has declined over the years. Two projects will divert additional native flows from these rivers across the Continental Divide to meet growing municipal needs of the Front Range: the Windy Gap Firming Project and the Moffat Collection System Project. Although these two projects triggered conflicts between West Slope and East Slope entities, years of negotiation produced the 2012 Colorado River Cooperative Agreement (CRCA), which establishes a long‐term partnership between Denver Water and the West Slope. The CRCA is a framework for numerous actions to benefit water supply, water quality, recreation, and the environment on both sides of the Continental Divide. The LBD Cooperative Effort emerged from the CRCA. The municipal sub‐district of Northern Water (Sub‐district) has a similar agreement between it and the West Slope which solidifies the Sub‐district’s commitments to benefit the aquatic ecosystem within Grand County.

The LBD Committee is composed of representatives from the following organizations: Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Denver Water, Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, Grand County, Colorado River Water Conservation District, Middle Park Water Conservancy District, and Trout Unlimited. Other parties participating in LBD include the Bureau of Reclamation, Forest Service, water utilities, and other interested parties. The overall success of LBD in meeting its goals will be measured by the LBD Committee through resource monitoring and reporting. Long‐term success will also be measured by the extent to which the LBD model is adopted in other places, and the extent to which it is integrated into future water leadership training.

Education & Experience Graduation from a four‐year accredited college or university, preferably with a B.A./B.S. in natural resources, hydrology, biology or related field. A keen interest in water resource management, and familiarity with non‐profit organizations and stakeholder involvement and fund raising is a plus.

Required Skills & Abilities

* Sound project management principles and practices. * Ability to communicate clearly with LBD Committee members on both technical and administrative issues. * Proven written and verbal communication. * Strong time‐management. * Ability to use independent judgment in daily responsibilities. * Work effectively under deadlines.

Applying Submit resumes and cover letters by September 23 to: Jason Marks Environmental Planner 1600 12th Avenue Denver, CO 80204 jason.marks@denverwater.org

Rocky Mountain Flyathlon

On paper, there is nothing exceptional about Middle Creek. It is not Wild or Scenic, nor has it been bestowed with any Gold Medals or Blue Ribbons. No, on paper, Middle Creek is just like the countless other small tributaries that make up Colorado’s headwaters, an arteriole of our vast hydrologic circulatory system. These humble creeks quietly feed the streams that feed the rivers that feed our Colorado way of life. To get to these waters, you have to drive on paved roads until you get to dirt roads until those dirt roads narrow and then run out. Even then, to truly appreciate the complexity of these creeks, you will still have many miles to go, on foot, on trails that may not have been maintained in a while. You will encounter ticks, mosquitoes, stinging nettle, rattlesnakes, moose, bear, downed trees, and sketchy creek crossings. But if you are patient and dedicated, you can catch and release a spectacular relic of Colorado’s natural history, one of our three remaining sub-species of cutthroat trout. It is the celebration of these unheralded streams, lost trails and majestic native fish that drove me to create the Rocky Mountain Flyathlon. As a trail runner and life-long flyfisherman, fusing the two disciplines seemed natural to me, as trail running allows me to explore and fish our remote cutthroat waters more comprehensively.  And then, back at the trailhead, to make it a proper celebration, I add one of the finest uses of Colorado water; our superior craft beer.

run. fish. beer.

Simple as that.

Three years ago, I decided to share this vision with others.  In 2013, fifteen people crawled out of their tents to participate in an “unofficial” Flyathlon race event held around Monarch Lake in Grand County, CO.  In 2014, we made it official, and thirty-five people toed a shoe-drawn line in the dirt at the base of Middle Creek (yes, the one with ticks and rattlesnakes).  And this year, just weeks ago, our sold-out race brought fifty flyathletes from both near (Crestone and Salida) and far (Maine, Wisconsin, and Texas) to the Middle Creek woods near Saguache, CO.

Flyathlon race-day rules are fairly simple. Complete the prescribed trail run, catch a fish at any point during the run, take a picture of said fish on your race bib, and do it all as quickly as possible.  The bigger the fish, the more time is taken off at the end of your run (with a special double bonus for catching a native cutthroat trout).  In 2015, of the fifty race participants, all but four hooked, landed, and documented their catch, some for the first time ever.  And back at our tent city, all fifty enjoyed BBQ, local craft beer, and an awards ceremony loaded with prizes from local Colorado companies thanks to Osprey Packs, Scott Fly Rods, Ascent Fly Fishing, and Rolling River Anglers.

Each Flyathlon race is specifically designed to get people excited about recreating in the most beautiful parts of the Western United States, to infuse the stuffy old sport of fly fishing with a youthful spirit, and to raise money for and awareness about critical cold-water conservation issues.  Relying on a crowdfunding model with our 501c3 partner Colorado Trout Unlimited, this past year, our flyathletes raised an incredible $22,200.  At least 50% of this money will be re-invested into projects to maintain and enhance the trails, creeks and fisheries within the range of the Rio Grande cutthroat trout, ensuring that our activity is sustainable into the future.  The remaining monies will be used to tackle important coldwater and native fish issues around the Centennial State.

Moving forward into 2016, I hope to take the Flyathlon to the next level.  With my outstanding volunteer planning board, I have created an ambitious agenda with additional events added in several other basins in Colorado, as well as potential out-of-state races.  If you feel like you have what it takes to be a flyathlete, please visit our website www.flyathlon.com to get on our email list.  If your organization would like to partner with or sponsor the Rocky Mountain Flyathlon to enable us increase our impact, please contact me directly atcutthroat@gmail.com.

I look forward to seeing you on a small creek somewhere deep in the Colorado woods.

run. fish. beer.

Words and photos courtesy of Andrew Todd

New Clean Water Rule

On June 17th, 2015 the Denver Post posted Colorado Trout Unlimited executive director David Nickum's, and Rocky Mountain Farmers Union president Kent Peppler's article that highlighted the new clean water rule from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA. The new rule is not an expansion of the Clean Water Act, but rather a "clarification of Clean Water Act jurisdiction," to quote the article directly. The rule allows for the water fish use as their habitat, and Coloradans use for safe drinking water, to be protected. It also ensures the protection of streams and wetlands that are essential to Colorado's outdoor recreation economy. The full article can be found below.

For nearly 15 years, 10,000 miles of streams and thousands of acres of wetlands in Colorado have been at greater risk of being polluted or destroyed due to confusion over what bodies of water are protected under the Clean Water Act. That all changed last week thanks to a new rule from the EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that restores protections to the vital waters that provide habitat for fish and wildlife and safe drinking water to two out of three Coloradans.

The rule is a clarification of Clean Water Act jurisdiction. It gives Colorado's farmers and ranchers a clear understanding of the rules that protect the water we rely on for the production of healthful food while maintaining all of the existing Clean Water Act exemptions for normal farming activities, and in some cases, strengthening them. The rule also gives Colorado sportsmen certainty that the wetlands and headwater streams that form the backbone of our state's $3 billion outdoor recreation economy will be safeguarded.

Contrary to what opponents have claimed, the rule does not expand the Clean Water Act. The rule does not protect any new types of waters or regulate ditches. It does not apply to groundwater, nor does it create any new permitting requirements for agriculture, or address land use or private property rights.

In crafting the long-overdue final rule, the agencies reviewed comments from more than 1 million Americans. Advocates on all sides had called for the clarification the rule provides, prompting the EPA and Army Corps to hold more than 400 meetings with stakeholders. The final rule is a clear victory not only for farmers, ranchers and sportsmen, but for all Coloradans. Unfortunately, it may not last long.

Before the clean water rule was even finalized, some members of Congress began to engage in last ditch efforts to block the anticipated rule, and restart the multi-year rulemaking process. Now that the rule has been written, these attacks have intensified. Inflammatory rhetoric about an administrative "power grab" are driving attempts to pass legislation in both the House and Senate that would force the agencies to go back to the drawing board and rewrite the rule. Not only would these efforts unnecessarily delay a process that has been well vetted from top to bottom, it would also have serious, damaging impacts on our water supply, our local farmers, sportsmen and our state's economy.

As Congress considers this unnecessary delay, Colorado's senators have a critical role to play. Sen. Michael Bennet has supported these efforts to protect clean water in the past, while Sen. Cory Gardner has been in opposition. We urge them both to do what's in the best interest for their constituents and oppose efforts to derail the clean water rule.

There is a misconception that all farmers oppose the clean water rule. In fact, farmers, ranchers and sportsmen have stood side by side for decades in the fight for clean water, and were present during the many public meetings and listening sessions the agencies held as they were forming the final rule. As we face down 11th-hour efforts to block the rule, we urge support for the clean water rule across the Continental Divide, from headwater trout streams to farm fields, to sustain our Colorado way of life for us and future generations of farmers, hunters and anglers.

Ask Congress to Protect Our Headwaters

On May 27, the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers issued new Clean Water rules that restore long-standing protections to headwater streams and adjacent wetlands under the Clean Water Act.  The rules are a balanced package that maintains long-standing Clean Water Act exemptions for standard farming practices, while clarifying that the Act's protections extend to the tributary streams and wetlands that shape the quality and health of downstream rivers. These waters were historically protected under the Clean Water Act until two politically charged Supreme Court decisions in the 2000s put them into regulatory limbo. The court ruled that there must be a proven nexus between these small, sometimes-intermittent waters and the larger rivers they feed in order for the former to receive Clean Water Act protections. Armed with the science that proves such a connection, the EPA and the Corps crafted this rule that protects the clean water sources of America’s rivers. Unfortunately, some in Congress are pushing to block the rules from being implemented.  Legislation to do just that has passed the House and will be considered in the Senate, and other amendments to block the rules will likely be proposed in the coming weeks and months.  Please take a moment to weigh in with your Representative and Senators Bennet and Gardner, and ask them to support the Clean Water Rules and protect Colorado's headwater streams!

Wake-up call for Colorado River users

As the California drought continues, Colorado River water users are reminded of the importance of working together to effectively address water needs in the basin.  There are a variety of interests competing for water rights, however it is only through a collaborative effort that we will see success in meeting the diverse water needs.  As Eric Kuhn, general manager of the Colorado River Water Conservation District points out, “collaboration is needed today to keep us ahead of our significant water challenges, before they spiral into a crisis that pits one water use sector against another.” Trout Unlimited is committed to continue to work with and engage agriculture, municipal and industrial stakeholders in finding innovative and effective solutions in meeting future water needs.  Colorado TU’s Randy Scholfield recently wrote an op-ed piece highlighting the Upper Colorado River Basin and the current efforts going on there – you can read it here.

To get involved in this effort please email Stephanie Scott at sscott@tu.org

CTU Welcomes New Water Policy Intern!

Howdy y’all!  My name is Zach DeWolfe and I am currently wrapping up my senior year at Metropolitan State University of Denver studying Political Science and Water Studies.  I am originally from Austin, Texas, but have been in Colorado for the past four years.  Living here has allowed me to fully explore my passion for the outdoors, whether through fishing, climbing, hiking or mountain biking.  Through these experiences I have developed an appreciation for these places and a sense to protect and preserve them.  I am thrilled to join CTU this summer in addressing such key water policy issues as the ongoing development of the Colorado State Water Plan, and ensuring that our goals and values are well represented.  

NRCS funding will deliver benefits for ranch and farm operations, fisheries

Trout Unlimited today praised USDA Secretary Vilsack’s announcement that the National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) has chosen its first batch of projects funded by the Farm Bill’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)—including one TU project in Colorado that improves farm and ranch operations while enhancing river and fisheries health in the lower Gunnison River basin. Over the past decade, aided by its grassroots local chapters and volunteer members, TU has worked with agricultural partners throughout the upper Colorado River Basin to develop projects that upgrade irrigation systems and restore important fish habitat. These pragmatic partnerships improve ranch and farm operations, restore watersheds and improve fishing and recreation opportunities.

“The ultimate objective is simple: provide win-win solutions that safeguard water resources for fish and irrigators,” said Cary Denison, Gunnison River Basin project coordinator for Trout Unlimited.

Drought conditions threaten many agricultural producers for whom water supplies are already under intense pressure. Aging irrigation infrastructure has reached epidemic levels throughout the West, and the cost of retrofitting this infrastructure often exceeds the capacity of individual operators or even organized irrigation districts.

The RCPP program offers an exciting new model to meet these challenges. Despite their many benefits, Farm Bill conservation projects have sometimes been too scattered and limited in scope to provide substantial long-term benefits on a larger watershed or basin scale. The RCPP program encourages a landscape-scale, collaborative approach, with local partners working together to coordinate funding, resources and expertise on priority projects that enhance important fish habitat.

“It helps put the larger pieces of the conservation puzzle together,” said Denison.

TU was delighted to have four of its projects in the West selected for RCPP funding, including the Lower Gunnison Project.

The LGP will address aging infrastructure, modernize irrigation systems, and address water quality concerns in four irrigation water districts located in Montrose and Delta including the Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association, North Fork Water Conservancy District, Bostwick Park Water Conservancy District and Crawford Water Conservancy District.

One of TU’s project partners, No Chico Brush, is a local collaborative ad-hoc farmer led group whose goal is to make the best use of water as possible for the benefit of all users. The group understands that improving delivery systems including water measurement and control and linking those improvements to on farm irrigation improvement including soil health initiatives can lead to water security for farmers, address down-river demands and local stream health issues.

The No Chico Brush group and its partners, including Colorado State University, are beginning its second year of on-farm water studies examining the benefits to both farm operations and fish and wildlife habitat related to modernized irrigation practices such as sprinkler, drip, and other technologies.

Trout Unlimited sees these improvements to irrigation control and measurement as a necessary first step in addressing water shortages for all users—and the upgrades can also improve fisheries health through the basin.

“TU salutes the agriculture and conservancy district leaders for their leadership and partnership in this RCPP funding process,” said Denison. “The No Chico Brush group in particular played an important role in providing the momentum for the funding being made available to the Colorado River Basin and having the ‘grand vision’ of connecting irrigation system and on-farm irrigation improvements to water supply needs and the health of our fisheries, rivers and streams. We’re eager to get to work on these projects, and thanks to the NRCS, we’re going to hit the ground running.”

---Cary Denison, Project Coordinator, Colorado Water Project, and Randy Scholfield, Communications Director, Southwest Region