Creative Deal Means More Water for Fish in the Roaring Fork Valley
A collaborative effort between the Colorado Water Trust, Pitkin County and the Colorado Water Conservation Board achieved a creative solution to protecting instream flows through the Roaring Fork Valley. Numerous water rights owned by Pitkin County have traditionally been used for irrigation and other uses. Through this partnership, Pitkin County has agreed to place these water rights in a trust to be managed by the CWCB for Colorado’s Instream Flow Program. By utilizing the trust agreement, water will now remain in local rivers, increasing summer flows on some creeks and streams and enhancing the habitat of fish and other aquatic species through the Roaring Fork Valley.
In 2003, CWT identified certain watersheds in the state as priority areas for the organization’s streamflow improvement activities. The unique riparian environment, water challenges, and majestic views of the Roaring Fork River watershed made it an ideal candidate for the list. With a significant portfolio of water rights acquired through its Open Space and Trails Department and the Airport Enterprise Fund, Pitkin County became a natural partner for improvement efforts within the basin. CWT had been working closely with the County to find the best way for the County to place its water in the Instream Flow Program. The result of this partnership is the trust agreement.
The arrangement will occur in two phases, with one of the County’s water rights to be adjudicated in an early case and a number of other water rights to be changed in a later case. The trust also contains a provision to allow the addition of water rights in the future. This provision is significant because County voters passed a 0.1% sales tax in November 2008 that is expected to generate $1 million in funding. The sales tax, called the Healthy Rivers and Streams Fund, is intended to be spent on protecting the quality and quantity of water in the rivers and streams of the Roaring Fork River Basin and could be used to acquire additional water rights.
“We’re very pleased with the arrangement and can’t say enough about the CWCB staff’s effort to put this together,” says John Ely, Pitkin County’s attorney. “And we are thankful to the Colorado Water Trust for facilitating the deal.” Speaking for the CWCB, Linda Bassi adds: “This is a great arrangement for a critical area of the state from a streamflow perspective. We’re looking forward to continuing to work with Pitkin County under this long-term, win-win arrangement.”
Green River sub-basin
Beaver Creek
Vermillion Creek
Little Snake River sub-basin
Johnson Creek
Little Snake River
Lopez Creek
Oliver Creek
South Fork Little Snake River
Willow Creek
Yampa River sub-basin
Armstrong Creek
Beaver Creek
Circle Creek
Dog Creek
Elkhead Creek
First Creek
Hinman Creek
Luna Lake
Mandall Creek
Pagoda Creek
Pine Creek
Poose Creek
Rough Creek
South Fork Williams Fork
Vaugn Lake Trib
Walton Creek
Walton Creek Trib
Yampa River
White River sub-basin
Big Beaver Creek
Fawn Creek
Hahn Creek
North Fork White River
Piceance Creek
Snell Creek
Trappers Lake Trib
White Riverk
Cache La Poudre sub-basin
Black Hollow
Cache la Poudre River
Cornelius Creek
E Fork Sheep Creek Trib
East Fork Sheep Creek
George Creek
Hague Creek Trib- Hazeline Lake
Lake Husted
Lake Louise
Lone Pine Creek
Lost Lake
May Creek
Pennock Creek
Roaring Creek
Sheep Creek
South Fork Cache La Poudre River
West Fork Sheep Creek
Williams Gulch
Big Thompson sub-basin
Bear Lake
Big Thompson River
Cascade Creek
Chaos Creek Trib- Bear Lake
Chaos Creek Trib- Emerald Lake
Crystal Lake
Elk Creek
Fern Creek
Hidden Valley Creek
Lily Lake
Loomis Lake
Miller Fork
N Fk Big Thomp Trib- Lake Louise
N Fk Big Thomp Trib- Lost Lake
North Fork Big Thompson River
Roaring River
Spruce Lake
Twin Cabin Gulch
West Creek
Clear Creek sub-basin
Mill Creek
Clear Creek
South Clear Creek
Cherry Creek
St. Vrain sub-basin
Cony Creek
Hunters Creek
Left Hand Creek
North Boulder Creek Trib
North Saint Vrain Creek
Ouzel Creek
Sandbeach Lake
South Saint Vrain Creek
S. Platte Headwaters sub-basin
Bear Creek
Garber Creek
Mid Fk South Platte
N Fk South Platte
South Clear Creek
South Platte River
Rio Grande Headwaters sub-basin
Bellows Creek
Bennett Creek
Lost Trail Creek
Miners Creek
Paint Creek
Pass Creek
Pole Creek
Rio Grande River
Squaw Creek
Ute Creek 1
Weminuche Creek
West Alder Creek
West Bellows Creek
West Lost Trail Creek
Willow Creek
Woodfern Creek
Saguache Creek sub-basin
Bear Creek
Bell Arroyo
Carnero Creek
Cave Creek
Cross Creek
Deep Creek
East Middle Creek
East Pass Creek
Ford Creek
Fourmile Creek
Jacks Creek
La Garita Creek
Middle Fork Carnero
Middle Fork Saguache
North Fork Carnero
Prong Creek
Russell Creek
South Fork Carnero
Tuttle Creek
Wannamaker Creek
Whale Creek
San Luis Creek sub-basin
Big Spring Creek
Hot Springs Canyon
Little Medano Creek
Medano Creek
North Crestone Creek
Rock Creek
Conejos River sub-basin
Adams Fork Conejos
Cascade Creek
Hansen Creek
Lake Fork Conejos
Middle Fork Conejos
Nabor Creek
North Branch Conejos
North Fork Conejos
Osier Creek
Sixto Creek
South Fork Conejos
Wolf Creek
Alamosa River sub-basin
Alamosa River
Cat Creek
Hat Creek
Jim Creek
La Jara Creek
La Jara Creek hw
Middle Fork San Francisco
Pinos Creek
Rhodes Gulch Canyon
Rio Grande River
Rock Creek
Silver Lakes
Torsido Creek
Treasure Creek
Trinchera Creek sub-basin
Deep Canyon
Grayback Canyon
Little Ute Creek
Middle Fork Placer
North Fork Trinchera Creek
Sangre de Cristo Creek
South Fork Placer
Trinchera Creek
Trinchera Creek 2
Ute Creek
Wagon Creek
West Indian Creek
Culebra Creek sub-basin
Alamosito Creek
Bernadino Creek
Cuates Creek
East Fork Costilla Creek
El Poso Creek
Jaroso Creek
North Vallejos Creek
San Francisco Creek
Torcido Creek
Willow Creek 2
Arapaho Creek
Colorado Creek
East Branch
Illinois River
Jack Creek
Jewell Lake Trib
Little Grizzly Creek
Norris Creek
North Platte River
Rock Creek (Little Willow Ck)
South Fork Canadian River
South Fork Michigan River
Willow Creek
Uncompahgre River sub-basin
Cow Creek
East Fork Dallas Creek
Gunnison River
West Fork Dallas Creek
Young Creek Reservoir
North Fork Gunnison sub-basin
Brush Creek
Dyke Creek
Farris Creek
Magdalene Gulch
Main Hubbard Creek
Middle Hubbard Creek
North Anthracite Creek
North Texas Creek
Prospector Gulch
South Texas Creek
Trail Gulch
Waterloo Gulch
Main stem Gunnison sub-basin
Alder Creek
Beaver Creek
Big Blue Creek
Castle Creek
Cochetopa Creek
Deer Beaver Creek
Devils Creek
Doug Creek
East Fork Little Blue
Gold Creek
Little Cimarron River
No Name Creek
Razor Creek
Razor Creek
Road Beaver Creek
Rock Creek
Second Creek
South Beaver Creek
Spring Creek
Trout Creek
West Antelope Creek
West Beaver Creek
Willow Creek
San Miguel River sub-basin
Beaver Creek
Butcher Creek
Clear Creek
Deep Creek
East Beaver Creek
Fall Creek Trib
Horsefly Creek
Mill Creek
Red Canyon
Saltado Creek
San Miguel River
Specie Creek
Tabeguache Creek
West Beaver Creek
Dolores River sub-basin
Bear Creek
Blue Creek
Dolores River
Little Dolores River
Little Taylor Creek
Mesa Creek
Middle Mancos River
North Fork Mesa Creek
Rio Lado
West Mancos River
Animas River sub-basin
Animas River
Big Bend Creek
Cascade Creek
Deer Creek
East Fork Hermosa Creek
Florida River
Hermosa Creek
South Fork Hermosa
West Virginia Gulch
San Juan River sub-basin
Augustora Creek
East Fk Piedra River Trib
East Fork Piedra River
Himes Creek
Los Pinos River
Monument Lake Trib
Navajo River
Turkey Creek
Colorado Headwaters sub-basin
Arapaho Creek
Castle Creek
Cedar Creek
Colorado River
Cottonwood Creek
East Fork Red Dirt Creek
East Meadow Creek
Horse Creek
Indian Creek
Muddy Creek
Norman Creek
North Fork Colorado River
Red Dirt Creek
Sheep Creek
South Fork Derby Creek
Stillwater Creek
Sunnyside Creek
Supply Creek
West Fork Red Dirt Creek
Egeria Creek sub-basin
Antelope Creek
Baker Gulch
Colorado River
Columbine Creek
Cub Creek
Kinney Creek
Little Muddy Creek
North Inlet
Paradise Creek
Roaring Fork
Thunderbolt Creek
Timber Creek
Trail Creek
UN off muddy creek
Fraser River sub-basin
Pole Creek
Strawberry Creek
Blue River sub-basin
Blue River
Cataract Creek
Acorn Creek
French Gulch
Meadow Creek
North Fork Elliott Creek
North Fork Swan River
Spruce Creek
Parachute Roan sub-basin
Carr Creek
East Fork Parachute Creek
First Anvill Creek
Northwater Creek
Roan Creek
Trapper Creek
Eagle River sub-basin
Abrams Creek
Booth Creek
Brush Creek
Eagle River
Gypsum Creek
Hot Creek
Leeman Gulch
Nolan Creek
Pitkin Creek
Polk Creek
Salt Creek
Spring Creek
West Cross Creek
Roaring Fork sub-basin
Carter Creek
Castle Creek
Cattle Creek
Crystal River
Cunningham Creek
Difficult Creek
Express Creek
Fryingpan River
Thomas Creek
Prince Creek
Thompson Creek
Hunter Creek
Lost Trail Creek
Middle Thompson Creek
Nickelson Creek
North Fork Cattle Creek
North Thompson Creek
Roaring Fork River
Snowmass Creek
Sopris Creek
South Fork Fryingpan River
Thomas Creek
Threemile Creek
Yule Creek
Headwaters Plateau sub-basin
Beaver Creek
Butler Creek
Canyon Creek
Colorado River
Corral Creek
East Fork Big Creek
Grove Creek
Canyon Creek
Mesa Creek
Mitchell Creek
Ute Creek
Upper Arkansas sub-basin
Boswell Gulch
Cache Creek
Cottonwood Creek
Cree Creek
Grape Creek
Greenleaf Creek
Hudson Creek
Hunky Dory Lake unnamed
Middle Taylor Creek
North Brush Creek
Redman Creek
Rock Creek
South Arkansas River
North Fork South Arkansas River
Spruce Creek
Tennessee Creek
Texas Creek
Willis Gulch
Middle Arkansas sub-basin
Beaver Creek
Boehmer Creek
Cascade Creek
Eightmile Creek
Fourmile Creek
North Apache Creek
Oil Creek
Reservoir No 2
Reservoir No 4
Sixmile Creek
South Apache Creek
South Fork Hardscrabble
South Fork Huerfano
Lower Arkansas sub-basin
Antelope Creek
Big Sandy Creek
Horse Creek
Horse Creek Reservoir
Jimmy Camp Creek
North Fork Purgatoire River
North Rush Creek
Rush Creek
Severy Creek
South Rush Creek
Two Butte Creek
Collaborative, Cooperative Effort Saves Water for Fish in Eagle County
As a result of collaborative efforts of Vail Associates (“VA”), the Colorado Water Trust, the U.S. Forest Service (“USFS”), and the Western Land Group, VA acquired property along Hat Creek (a tributary of upper Brush Creek in Eagle County), from the Conservation Fund as part of a land exchange between VA and the USFS. The property included an irrigation water right decreed in 1917 to the Hat Creek Ditch for 2 cubic feet per second that historically irrigated about 22 acres (the “Hat Creek Right”) and a number of conditional (read: not perfected) water rights on Hat Creek.
Under the land exchange, VA conveyed the Hat Creek property to the USFS, but did not include the water rights in the transaction. Instead, at the USFS’s request, VA conveyed the Hat Creek water right and the other conditional water rights associated with the property to CWT. CWT donated the Hat Creek Right to the CWCB to enhance the only other water right on Hat Creek, which is a junior CWCB instream flow right, and it abandoned all of the conditional rights on Hat Creek as part of the transaction.
The combination of converting the Hat Creek Right, a senior irrigation right, to instream flows and abandoning conditional water rights provides complete flow protection to Hat Creek. Upon obtaining a decree from the water court for the change of use to instream flows for the Hat Creek Right, instream flow water rights will be the only allowed water use in Hat Creek! Hat Creek contains native cutthroat trout, and has been designated as excellent quality cutthroat trout habitat by two different state agencies.
In 2004, the Colorado Water Trust donated senior water rights to the Colorado Water Conservation Board to be used as a permanent, senior instream flow in Boulder Creek and the Blue River in Summit County. The CWCB formally accepted the donation during their quarterly meeting in Alamosa on Tuesday, September 14, 2004. The donated water right will be used to improve habitat conditions for brook trout in Boulder Creek, in addition to benefitting rainbow and brown trout in the Blue River. The Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) classifies the segment of the Blue River that will benefit from the donation as “Gold Medal Water”. This transaction was the Water Trust’s first donation to the CWCB and is the first donation under new rules that govern how the State acquires water rights for instream flows. Nearly 800 acre-feet of water will now be protected as instream flow for three miles in Boulder Creek and for over eleven miles in the Blue River.
The San Miguel River is one of Colorado’s last free flowing rivers and is one of the few naturally functioning riparian ecosystems remaining in the Western United States, but even this magnificent river suffers from inadequate flow levels. In dry years, critical portions of the river contain little to no water for up to two months. This is in part contributed to by the diversion structure and delivery system for the CCC Ditch located near Naturita. Given the situation, the Colorado Water Trust, the San Miguel Watershed Coalition, the Colorado Division of Wildlife, the Colorado Water Conservation Board, The Nature Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, and the Bureau of Land Management have begun to work with the CCC Ditch Company to restore flows in the San Miguel.
The project employs a simple but significant mechanism to accomplish its goal: repair of the CCC Ditch to increase the overall efficiency of the CCC Ditch system, allowing the ditch users to maintain irrigation operations while making water available for flow in the currently de-watered stretch of the San Miguel. The coalition has secured project funds and construction will begin soon.
