The Year After Gold King

It's been a year and a few days since a spill at the Gold King Mine near Silverton released three million gallons of heavy-metal-laden, mustard yellow sludge into the Animas River. Photos of the yellow water dominated headlines all over the world. Words like "disaster" and "catastrophic" were used. While the initial spill came as a shock to most, the river was able to withstand the blow. One year after the sludge came through, the river is back to it's usual state of water quality.

There was no fish mortality documented from the spill, while bug sampling by an aquatic biologist with Mountain Studies Institute indicates a still thriving population of mayfly nymphs and caddis pupa. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) had installed pens of fingerling trout in the Animas before the plume arrived- and none of those fish died either. CPW ran an electro-shocking episode after the “Spill” with the usual re-capture protocol and got essentially the same results as the year before. Actually, the survey showed a slight improvement.

"This is not to diminish our concern for the Animas River and the fishery in the canyon below Silverton. This reach has been substantially impacted by three draining mines at the headwaters of Cement Creek, which flows into the Animas at Silverton," said Buck Skillen, President of the 5 Rivers Chapter of TU. "This, plus the Gold King Spill, highlights the very need for Good Samaritan Legislation for which TU is strongly advocating – so that abandoned mine cleanup projects can proceed here and elsewhere."

Getting the river back to it's usual state was no easy task but Trout Unlimited and partners were willing to take the lead. "It’s been quite a year since the Gold King spill sent a torrent of yellow, metal-laden mine water down the Animas River in SW Colorado," said Ty Churchwell, TU San Juan Mountains Coordinator. "But long before this unfortunate event, TU was deeply embedded in the water quality conversation – and now we’ve doubled down. Our efforts to pass Good Samaritan legislation are bearing fruit in the form of a bipartisan discussion draft now working its way through the halls of Congress. We hope to see the bill formally introduced this session."

The 5 Rivers Chapter of Colorado TU worked with Mountain Studies Institute (MSI) in Durango by taking water samples every two hours from before the plume arrived until days later. They also monitored the macro-invertebrates in the river as the disaster unfolded. The year previously, 5 Rivers Chapter had worked with MSI to do a macro-invertebrates study that served as a baseline for clean-up efforts following the spill.

Also prior to the spill in August, Trout Unlimited teamed up with other partners to form the San Juan Clean Water Coalition. The intent when forming the coalition was to produce a site-specific Good Samaritan legislation for the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. In the wake of the spill, the intentions have broadened to use the Animas as an example for the potential issues in the West.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, abandoned hard rock mines affect 40 percent of headwaters in the western United States. Just in the San Juan Mountains, slow acid drainage has led to the death of multiple rivers. "The community of Silverton, at the Animas’ headwaters, is now pursuing a Superfund listing to finally, once and for all, deal with the lingering problem of acid mine drainage (AMD) from dozens of old mining sites," said Churchwell. "The TU-led, San Juan Clean Water coalition, has grown dramatically and we’re making a real difference.  In the wake of the spill, the coalition’s objectives have expanded to include a comprehensive, five-point plan to greatly improve the overall health of the watershed and the world class trout fishery in Durango"

The Good Samaritan Legislation would address the current pollution clean-up laws in the United States. Currently, the Clean Water Act and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, place the clean-up burden on the property owners. But in the case of these abandoned mines, the owners are long-gone. Now the clean-up falls on the shoulders of Good Samaritans like TU and other partners. However, the liabilities in the laws- requiring a project to show significant improvements for a specific period of time and makes the Good Samaritan liable for any failures in improvements- have caused a legal gridlock.

Since the Gold King Mine spill, Colorado’s Senators Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner, and Representative Scott Tipton have taken the issue to Washington where the Good Sam legislation has been moving along.

"If there are any silver linings to all of this, it’s that citizens, elected officials and communities all over the west are now aware of the massive problem of acid mine drainage, and people are paying attention. The Gold King spill was a wakeup call for the nation," said Churchwell. "Thank goodness the Animas didn’t die to make a point.  In the end, there was no real ecologic ‘disaster’, as was portrayed in the media. There was no die-off of fish and our bug studies are showing excellent insect populations in the Gold Medal water in Durango. But, there is a real problem at the top of the watershed and we’re moving in the right direction. The Animas remains one of Colorado’s premier trout fisheries."

Elk Creek Fish Passage Project

Last week Trout Unlimited was granted a $78,000 Fishing Is Fun grant from Colorado Parks and Wildlife for a fish passage project on Elk Creek near New Castle, Colorado. TU partnered with CPW to design and build a fish passage channel around the Ware and Hinds irrigation diversion structure on Elk Creek, a tributary to the Colorado River main-stem with its confluence at New Castle, CO. The Ware and Hinds diversion structure spans the width of the channel and presents a barrier to spawning fish moving out of the Colorado River main-stem

This project is intended to serve as an additional source of fishes to the Colorado River by providing access to spawning, nursery, and rearing habitats above the dam- roughly 3.3 miles of currently unused spawning habitat. Native and non-native fishes will have the opportunity to recruit both within the Elk Creek drainage and downstream to the Colorado River. The completion of this project would increase public angling opportunities for wild trout, and in doing so, has the potential to benefit local businesses that rely on these increased recreational opportunities and associated revenues.

The total $166 thousand project is slated to be completed in June 2017 with the passage construction beginning this November.

The fish passage project could not have moved forward without the work from the Ferdinand-Hayden Chapter by raising $3,000 that allowed for the preliminary engineering to be completed. "This came at a critical time when I needed to finalize our design drawings," said Richard Van Gytenbeek, Colorado River Basin Outreach Coordinator. "Their contribution allowed me to pay the engineer and complete the drawings which kept the project going."

TU also acknowledges the Fishing Is Fun review committee for funding a project that has a different approach to their stated program goals. "Normally successful grants improve habitat, facilities (ramps, docks, bathrooms, etc.) and public access. The key is that they all have a direct link to public access," said Van Gytenbeek. "In this approach TU made the case that if we could get these fish upstream to spawn that their progeny would, over time, increase population numbers in the Colorado River main-stem; one of the most publicly accessible river sections in the state. The project will effectively create a wild fish hatchery that feeds the main-stem and benefits all anglers."

The Elk Creek passage also demonstrates the growing relationship between TU and agriculture partners. The fish passage is actually cutting through the Ware and Hinds irrigation and diversion structure. "We got the cooperation and unanimous support of the Ware and Hinds Ditch Co. board and shareholders and the underlying agricultural landowners (Burning Mountain Cattle Co. and William Family Partnerships)," according to Van Gytenbeek. "This continues to demonstrate the importance of sportsmen and agricultural interests working together for the betterment of local rivers and streams and the communities that depend on them."

The Greenbacks New President

Heather holds a nice South Platte River rainbow.

Photo Courtesy of Brandon Miller

Colorado Trout Unlimited’s The Greenbacks have a new president. Founder of The Greenbacks Nick Hoover has recently handed the position of president off to Heather Sees. Heather is a dedicated fly fisher, employee, volunteer and steward of the land. Her passion for protecting and conserving wild, native spaces falls right in line with The Greenback’s original goals and has allowed her to make a few of her own. Her ability to articulate the needs of a community allow her to cast a wide net over a diverse group of peoples; this combined with her dedication to involving disenfranchised youth in the outdoors ensure The Greenbacks will not feel the growing pains that usually come with leadership change. Heather’s no bull all straight talk leadership style combined with her community based approach to relationships make her the perfect fit for the job.

Before Heather was president of The Greenbacks I knew her through time spent on the river. She is a fishing machine to say the least. We spent a day on the frying pan together fishing the toilet bowl and I remember her catching far more fish than me and loosing far less flies. Unlike most fisherman, she is humble, willing to hear all side of an issue and does not fall prey to fallacious arguments. To get to know Heather better as a professional and a leader I was able to ask her some questions about her new found responsibilities.

Why are native trout important to you?

“The Greenbacks are important to me because they represent one of the most diverse trout species in North America.  When it was determined that the “pure” strain of Greenbacks was on the verge of extinction I knew that I needed to get involved because I believe it’s important to protect a fish that plays an important role in Colorado’s ecosystem and natural heritage” Heather Sees, President of The Greenbacks.

Why did you take the job as president of The Greenbacks?

“I took this role because I looked at it as a great opportunity to challenge myself personally and challenge those folks who are involved with the Greenbacks.  This role also presents an opportunity to build on the strong foundation that we have and expand our role within the fly fishing community and CTU organization.”

What is the keystone character trait in a leader? How do you hope to exemplify that trait in your own leadership?

“For me a key trait is integrity/consistency along with being very self-aware.  I am a strong believer that a great leader must lead by example and is consistent in their actions.  I consider myself to be one of the most honest (almost to a fault) folks that you will meet.  I am also very self-aware – I am tuned into my own limitations and know where I thrive and where I have challenges.  Knowing this, I tap into the other Greenbacks members for support so that as a whole we are successful in our mission.”

What are your short term goals for The Greenbacks?

“As of right now the short term goals are to educate folks on the state of the native greenback here in Colorado, engage and recruit new volunteers/members along with partnering with the local Colorado Trout Unlimited chapters on their projects.”

What are your long term goals for The Greenbacks?

“Long term we have plans to champion a big greenbacks recovery project where we can plug in our strong volunteer base.  We will also continue to strengthen our youth education program by engaging the local college fly fishing clubs, high school clubs and youth organizations (i.e. BBBS, Girls, Inc, etc).”

Heather has a lot of work to do. Organizing a group of volunteers to complete what may seem like an unattainable goal, requires dedication and perseverance. Heather embodies both of these traits. These traits do not define her though. She fishes often in her free time and enjoys the social aspect of The Greenbacks. Her passion for the outdoors runs deep. She exudes stewardship and genuinely cares about the health of ecosystems. Thank you Heather for striving to make Colorado a more native place.

If you would like to get involved with The Greenbacks check out their website for awesome fly tying events, volunteer projects, and monthly meetings.

Trout Unlimited praises compromise reached on Thompson Divide

Carbondale, CO –Trout Unlimited and Sportsmen for Thompson Divide praised a negotiated compromise reached by stakeholders of the Thompson Divide area that allows Gunnison Energy LLC (GELLC) to continue operating working leases in the area while protecting critical fisheries habitat and watersheds in Gunnison County’s Clear Fork Roadless Area. The deal was approved by GELLC, the Thompson Divide Coalition (TDC), Senator Michael Bennet’s office, conservation groups and officials in Gunnison County. As part of the deal, GELLC now supports Sen. Bennet’s Thompson Divide Withdrawal and Protection Act, which would prohibit future oil and gas leasing in the area and create a market for willing buyers and sellers to retire existing leases.

“The Thompson Divide area contains some of the best trout streams and hunting grounds left in Colorado. We applaud Gunnison Energy, Senator Bennet, and everyone involved for listening to sportsmens’ concerns and working together in the spirit of compromise,” said Shane Cross, Western energy counsel for Trout Unlimited. “It’s a good day for the tens of thousands of hunters and anglers that rely on the Thompson Divide for incredible outdoor opportunities.”

At the center of the negotiations was where to draw the southern boundary under Sen. Bennet’s legislative proposal. In a letter to Sen. Bennet, Gunnison Energy President Brad Robinson expressed support for the compromise agreement and revised boundaries. “GELLC is concerned that merely having gas operations within the TDC area boundary will lead to permitting delays and increased environmental compliance costs.” He added, “With the change in boundary and the assurances I have received concerning our continued normal operations in this area, I support passage of the Act.”

The Thompson Divide is one of most pristine, high-value wildlife areas in the lower 48. The Divide’s vast and roadless backcountry harbors elk, deer and other big game and clear, cool cutthroat streams, making it an outdoor paradise for sportsmen and recreationists of all kinds. Preserving the Thompson Divide watershed is important to the outdoor-based economy of the area. Collectively, hunting, fishing, ranching, and recreation in the Thompson Divide area support nearly 300 jobs and $30 million in annual economic output for local communities.

Wildfires and Wildlife habitat

By: Ameen Hosain In spite of recent events concerning numerous wildfires blazing in the forests of Colorado, it is important to address the effects that these wildfires can have on Trout and the environments they exist in.

According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, "The biggest negative impact in burn zones is to fish."  With wildfires comes an increased amount of sediment that runs through river systems.  This increased sediment can clog the gills of trout, as well as suffocate many of the organisms living on the bottom of a river, both of which can severely affect any wildlife populations that exist in an area.

Trout populations can be negatively affected by this excessive sediment, and it can take years for these populations to recover.  According to CPW, "The South Platte River in and downstream of the Hayman burn area has only recently begun to return to the quality fishery that it was prior to the fire."  The Hayman fire occurred in 2002.

For rivers effected by fires, things can be done to counter the negative effects on fish populations, and CPW has been doing these things for many years, working to ensure that burned environments recover as quickly as possible.  Monitoring fish populations, restoring stream banks and fish habitat, and restocking fish when necessary are only a few of the actions taken towards aiding the recovery of streams.

Another notable affect of wildfires is the increase in the amount of runoff water that reaches streams and lakes.  Fires can rid huge areas of the trees and plants that absorb much of the runoff from mountains, and thus largely increasing the probability of flooding.

Floods can be detrimental to fish populations and stream ecosystems, as they can be very powerful, with the ability to flush entire populations out of a stream and severely erode entire stream banks.

A well known example of this kind of occurrence is the flooding of fountain creek in Colorado Springs as a direct result of the Waldo Canyon fire.  This flood destroyed many roads and homes in the Manitou Springs and Colorado Springs area, as well as eliminated the population of wild brown trout that once existed in the creek.

Alongside the increased threat of flooding, wildfires are also able to severely reduce the biodiversity in the areas they burn.   Frequent fires can eradicate many native plant species, and encourage the growth of fire resistant plants, as well as encourage the growth of invasive plant species.

Often times these invasive species are much more flammable than the native species they replace, thus often creating a perpetual cycle where there is increased fire danger in areas where there have already been fires in the past.  The ash produced can also destroy available plant nutrients, greatly effecting what kinds of plants can grow in burn areas

It is important to realize that the long term effects of wildfires can be beneficial to environments, and most negatives are only present for relatively short amount of time. According to CPW, benefits of wildfire include "[the] burned trees [allowing] sunlight to penetrate to the forest floor, which allows the growth of ferns and grasses that wildlife species rely on for food," as well as the "young plants that appear after fire [being] nutritionally superior to older, decadent plants."

Wildfires can prove to have huge affects on the fragile environments that exist within Colorado, and it is important to realize the negative and positive effects that come with these occurrences. It is important for any person who uses wildlife areas to be mindful of fire regulations and dangers, in order to prevent the negative consequences that can spring from the burning of wildfires.

Denver Trout Unlimited's Carp Slam After Party!

Denver TroutUnlimited is hosting the Colorado Carp Slam after party on September  10th, following the Carp Slam fishing tournament!  Bring friends and join with Trout Unlimited for an evening of food, drinks, and music, all in the name of fly fishing!

Celebrate Colorado River Day!!

Each year on July 25, urban and rural groups, progressives and conservatives, and people near and far all come together to celebrate the Colorado River. As the hardest working river in the West, it's up to us to work together to protect the future of the water- and while the river has seen some hard times, the future is looking bright. On this day in 1921, Congress voted to change the name of the river from "Grand" to "Colorado." But while the name change doesn't necessarily affect the river, many other changes have. As the West had continued to expand, the river serves as an economic engine for the entire country. The river supports 16 million jobs, generates $1.4 trillion in economic benefits, and supplies drinking water for 38 million people across seven states and two countries.

Apart from the economic benefits, the river supports an abundance of recreational activities. The river is home to 30 native fish species, two-thirds of which are threatened or endangered, and over 350 bird species.

The mighty river also irrigates more than 1.8 million acres of land- producing about 15 percent of the nation’s crops and about 13 percent of livestock. These totals generate about $1.5 billion a year in agricultural benefits.

It's easy to see how the river may be overused and while it still faces serious hardships, some say the best days of the Colorado River are right now.

In the headwaters of the Colorado, a Learning by Doing initiative is underway to ensure that the health of the river and it's tributaries remain at the forefront even with additional diversion structures. Through Learning by Doing, the water is constantly monitored for temperature, riparian vegetation, and aquatic macro-invertebrates. If there is a problem detected, the appropriate measures will be implemented to make sure the water quality and trout habitat is preserved.

“The so-called “Learning by Doing” program sets up a collaborative process that requires water users to monitor the health of the river in coming years and adjust operations to address unforeseen challenges and opportunities," said David Nickum, Executive Director of Colorado Trout Unlimited.

Another project in place to keep the Colorado River healthy is the Windy Gap Bypass. Issues with the reservoir's placement have put a stretch of river between Granby and Kremmling is jeopardy. But steps are being taken to bring the river back to health. A plan to bypass the reservoir and reconnect the river's natural flow is underway. “We wouldn’t be at this point without the leadership of Grand County and their persistent efforts to improve the health of the Colorado River,” said Kirk Klancke, president of TU’s Colorado River Headwaters chapter. “And the Northern subdistrict also deserves credit for listening to our concerns and working with all stakeholders to find solutions.”

The river also saw a major victory when the Colorado Department of Public Health released a final 401 permit that affirms the health of the Colorado through the Windy Gap Firming Project. “This long-term monitoring and flexibility of response use is called ‘adaptive management’—and it’s a critical feature of the permit requirements,” said Mely Whiting, counsel for Trout Unlimited. “Adaptive management recognizes that stakeholders can’t foresee every problem, and it provides a process for ongoing monitoring and mitigation of river problems as they arise.”

While further on down from the headwaters, Trout Unlimited is teaming up with ranchers and cattlemen to use water more efficiently and responsibly. "Continued development of the reservoir storage system is necessary, too, but ranchers need to realize their role and the opportunities they have to manage their water in a way that protects agricultures’s viability," said T. Wright Dickinson, former president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association.

Down river, more awareness is being spread about safe water usage in dessert climates like Nevada and Arizona. And thanks to strong El Nino winter, a lot of California reservoirs were full this spring for the first time in years.

While the river provides life the west, the west is starting to supply like to the river. Through projects at the headwaters down to where the Colorado meets the Pacific, steps are being taken to ensure that the health of the river remains at the forefront for everybody who calls the west home.

Hayden Creek Greenback Rescue

Hayden Creek Rescue Volunteers

On July 20, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and U.S. Forest Service volunteers went beyond the Hayden Pass Fire safe zone to rescue and transport the unique cutthroat trout from the lower prong of Hayden Creek.

The teams electroshocked the fish to rescue 194 fish from the lowest mile of a 3-mile stretch where the habitat had thrived. 2-Miles above the stretch was burned pretty bad, according to CPW.

When the Hayden Pass fire went through the area that contains these cutthroat trout populations, CPW aquatic biologists were worried ash and sediment from the aftermath of the fire would wash down into the stream, cutting off food supply and oxygen for the fish.

“We were able to take out as many as I hoped we would,” said Greg Policky, CPW aquatic biologist. “The worry was if we didn’t do anything, we’d lose this population and that’d be it. They’d be done.”

Of the 194,158 fish were placed in a tank that was driven to the Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery in Almont, west of Buena Vista. The other 36 were placed in plastic bags and taken to a creek near Cañon City. The plan is to isolate the fish in the creek and preserve the species to keep them from extinction. CPW also clipped their adipose fins for the purpose of later identifying them among other cutthroats.

These fish share a unique genetic anomaly with a cutthroat trout found in the Smithsonian Museum said to have been taken from Twin Lakes near Leadville, in 1889. These greenbacks are not the same found in Bear Creek, but are likely related to one another.

Team Work Makes the Dream Work

Bear Creek is a feisty little stream. Angular gravel from Pikes Peak fills its bed, low flows during summer months degrade water quality, excessive erosion caused by runoff plagues the streams riparian habitat, and massive flooding events grind growing invertebrate life into an inedible smoothie. Protecting this stream seems like a daunting task but not to the Cheyenne Mountain Chapter of Colorado Trout Unlimited (CMCTU).

Since the discovery of an irregular looking fish 12 years ago the chapter has worked tirelessly with the Bear Creek Roundtable, a collection of invested parties made up of The National Forest Service (NFS), Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), El Paso County Open Space, trail advocates, and others, to protect Bear Creek through public awareness campaigns, fundraising, and volunteerism. But, why? The answer to that is easy: greenback cutthroat trout.

CMCTU helped fund, through a $9,000 donation, the 2012 Metcalf study that solidified the fish in Bear Creek as the true greenbacks. This solidification of what was thought to be, propelled the small, troubled stream, filled with small starving trout, into the public eye.

CMCTU and members of the Bear Creek Roundtable moved quickly to protect the greenbacks and their water shed. Through their collaborative effort they were able to secure grant money, public support and request under the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA), an assessment be done on the health of the Bear Creek ecosystem. As most thing go with the federal government the NEPA process was long and hard fought. But, instead of twiddling their thumbs the partners worked to secure grant money so restoration, protection, and preservation could begin immediately.

CMCTU secured a grant awarded by The Western Native Trout Initative, to repair and restore sections of trail along Bear Creek that contributed to increased sediment flow. Money in hand CMCTU hired The Rocky Mountain Field Institute (RMFI) to contract with Mile High Youth Corps (MHYC) for the decommissioning of delinquent trails. Along with trail crews, CMCTU also coordinated volunteer days to include the public in what was to be one of the most anticipated local restoration projects of the year.

Trail crews were hired, Volunteers were assembled and CMCTU primed their cameras for show time.  The project did not disappoint. Over a two week time period youthful spirits worked to repair riparian habitat destroyed by unauthorized trails. The crew and volunteers reseeded damaged areas, laid deadfall over the rouge trail, and replanted many local, native plants for future erosion mitigation. CMCTU will continue to work with RMFI, MHYC, and volunteers from across the state in their efforts to secure the well being of greenback cutthroat trout in the Bear Creek ecosystem.

Work that is being done and has been done at Bear Creek is a lynch pin in the story of the greenbacks. Without the Bear Creek fish we may have never known a true greenback. The gene pool of these fish must be preserved and deepened. To do this the original gene pool at Bear Creek must be protected and populations of naturally reproducing fish must be established throughout the South Platte watershed. This is no easy task.

The vetting process a stream goes through to make the cut for greenback reintroduction is arduous to say the least. The stream must first and foremost be in the South Platte drainage. Then the stream must have adequate water quality, be free of whirling disease and be located in a relatively remote location. Once these criteria have been met a barrier must be constructed to prevent the spread of invasive trout species back up the stream. Barriers are not free, neither is the scouting necessary for finding a stream of such quality.

This, again, is where CMCTU and partners come in. CMCTU, CPW, FWS and Colorado Trout Unlimited chapters across the state have taken on the challenge of finding new streams to be filled with greenbacks. Their goal is to raise $15,000 that will be matched by the NFS for a total of $30,000. These funds will be used to hire a water consulting firm responsible for finding streams adequate for greenbacks. CMCTU has put forth $5,000 towards the fundraising efforts and is currently working with involved parties to raise more funds.

That is the future, and it looks bright. Let’s look to the recent past for a success story that solidifies the efforts of all. Through CMCTU, CTU, CPW, NFS, and a whole lot more greenback reintroduction, into a stream, has been realized for the first time.

Rock Creek is a small tributary of Tarryall Creek (a tributary of the South Platte) located in the Lost Creek Wilderness Area. Access the stream requires backpacks, hiking boots, and strong legs.  A team made up of members from CPW, CMCTU, Cutthroat Chapter of Trout Unlimited and NFS, was assembled to hike packs filled with greenbacks into the small creek the week of July 11. Their efforts helped move the greenbacks and all parties with a vested interest in seeing these fish return home, one step closer to a goal of 20 self-sustaining populations across the South Platte Drainage.

There are many milestones to come for greenback cutthroat trout. Among them are creating meta-populations in headwater ecosystems, improving genetic fitness, state wide fame, and improved watershed health the state over. These all snowball towards the magic 20. 20 self-sustaining populations of greenbacks will ensure that our state fish will be here to stay. 20 can be realized. We can look to the teamwork, commitment, and passion of CMCTU and their partners as a status quo model for greenback restoration. Through a collective effort like this greenback sustainability moves out from under the shadow of uncertainty to the speckled sunlight of high mountain streams across the South Platte Drainage.

Colton Gully is a paid intern at Colorado Trout Unlimited. He is working to create weekly content that will connect the fragmented puzzle pieces of greenback restoration efforts into a coherent story. This article is based off of an interview done with CMCTU member Don Logelin on Monday July 18, 2016.

Gross Reservoir Expansion

Typically when reservoirs are being expanded, it isn't as complicated as expanding Gross Reservoir. The Boulder County body of water may seem like any other reservoir but the idea of adding more water to it needs to take into account an issue happening over 15 miles away- and over the Continental Divide. Gross Reservoir was completed in 1954 as part of a series of intermountain diversions built to store water after it travels from the western slope of the Continental Divide to the eastern slope.

As the Denver Metro area continues to grow, the water needs rise with it and the unreliable flows from the South Platte River aren't enough to supply roughly 80% of the state's population with water throughout the year. Which is why water from the Upper Colorado River headwaters- in this case the Fraser River- are diverted for Front Range usage.

According to Denver Water, the reservoir expansion also takes on the a water shortage vulnerability. "We need to balance our north and south supply systems. Customers receive 80 percent of their water from the south end of our system. The other 20 percent comes from the north side, through the Moffat Collection System. This imbalance makes the system vulnerable to catastrophic events, such as the Buffalo Creek and Hayman fires, which caused massive sediment runoff into reservoirs on the south side of our system. That runoff forced us to rely heavily on a water-short north system for a period of time. Expanding Gross Reservoir on the north will help balance that inequity."

Gross reservoir holds water originally flowing in the Fraser River that is then pumped into the South Boulder Creek via the 13 mile long Moffat Tunnel at the base of Winter Park Ski Resort. Currently %60 of the native flows are diverted and the reservoir expansion could take up to %20 more.

The Fraser River's health has been in decline and with more water being taken out, the health of the river was in jeopardy. As the flows decrease, the sediment buildup and temperature increases- leaving trout and insect life to diminish.

But thanks to collaboration work between Trout Unlimited and Denver Water, a Learning by Doing initiative was started. Learning by Doing allows Denver Water to remove flows all while keeping the health of the river at the forefront of the issue.

Learning by Doing requires regular monitoring of stream temperature, riparian vegetation, and aquatic macro-invertebrates. If an environmental problem is detected, Denver Water will provide some financial support and additional flows to help solve the issue. This includes providing the flushing flows the river needs in the spring to clean sediment build up.

“The fact is, the Fraser and Colorado River have been in decline for many years, and Learning by Doing is giving us a chance to change that trajectory by engaging the key stakeholders on how to work together to best manage the river," said Mely Whiting, TU Counsel. "While more water will be drawn from the river in wetter years and seasons, greater cooperation in managing water – including provisions that provide extra water during low flow periods, and investment of funds in restoration activities – means that we can put the Fraser and the Colorado on a pathway toward better river health."

On June 30, Governor John Hickenlooper officially endorsed the Gross Reservoir Expansion (also known as the Moffat Collection System Project). "This key infrastructure project will serve over 25% of the state's population, add reliability to our public water supply, and provide environmental benefits to both the East and West Slopes of Colorado," said Gov. Hickenlooper. "Denver Water has worked closely with stakeholders in an inclusive public process to develop a balanced and pragmatic approach to environmental protection and water supply development." "This project strikes a necessary balance between the water needs of Front Range municipalities and the need to protect healthy flows and fish and wildlife habitat in the Fraser River," said David Nickum, Executive Director of Colorado TU. "The so-called “Learning by Doing” program in the proposal sets up a collaborative process that requires water users to monitor the health of the river in coming years and adjust operations to address unforeseen challenges and opportunities. Moreover, Denver Water has entered into partnerships on the Front Range to ensure that the project alleviates chronic low-flow problems in South Boulder Creek. Both sides of the Divide benefit.”