Project Overview
Born out of the Conejos River Stream Management Plan (SMP), the Conejos River Partnership Project has brought together the Conejos Water Conservancy District, Rio Grande Headwaters Restoration Project, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Colorado Division of Water Resources, ditch companies, and private landowners to address challenges facing the Conejos River between Mogote and its confluence with the Rio Grande. This multi-phased project will meet agricultural, environmental, and water administration needs on Conejos through the rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructure, enhancement of aquatic habitat, and restoration of riparian and wetland habitats. When complete, the project will help ensure the Conejos River continues to support diverse human, agricultural, and ecological communities.
Objectives:
- Improve diversion efficiency and reduce maintenance by replacing aging irrigation infrastructure on the Conejos River.
- Enhance aquatic habitat through fish barrier removal and habitat improvements.
- Improve floodplain connectivity, water quality and sediment transport through channel shaping and streambank stabilization.
- Improve riparian condition through revegetation and floodplain reconnection
- Support efforts to maintain hydrologic connectivity on the South Branch Conejos River, when possible.
Phase Three
Phase 3 includes the sites shown on the project map and/or listed below.
Current Status:
Improvements to the Angostura Ditch diversion were completed in Spring 2024.
Planning and design for the Mill Ditch Diversion and restoration near CR 28 are underway. Construction will likely being in 2025.
Angostura Ditch
Conejos River near CR 28
Mill Ditch Diversion
Components:
- Replace headgate
- Channel shaping, streambank stabilization
- Improve riparian habitat
- Work done in tandem with fish habitat improvements
Mill Ditch Diversion
Conejos River near CR 28
Mill Ditch Diversion
Needs Identified:
- Loss of function, channel erosion, degraded riparian habitat
Components:
- Replace diversion
- Channel shaping, streambank stabilization
- Improve riparian habitat
Conejos River near CR 28
Conejos River near CR 28
Conejos River near CR 28
Needs Identified:
- Bank stability impacts accuracy of the Los Sauses stream gauge
Components:
- Channel shaping, streambank stabilization
- Improve riparian habitat
Phase Two
Phase 2 includes the sites shown on the project map and listed below.
Current Status:
Construction of both the William Stewart and Mecitos Ditch was completed in the spring of 2024.
Mecitos Ditch
William Stewart Ditch
William Stewart Ditch
Components:
- Replace headgate
- Replace diversion with fish-passable structure
- Channel shaping, streambank stabilization
- Improve riparian habitat
William Stewart Ditch
William Stewart Ditch
William Stewart Ditch
Components:
- Replace headgate
- Replace diversion with fish-passable structure
- Channel shaping, streambank stabilization
- Improve riparian habitat
Phase 1
Current Status:
Phase 1 of the CRPP was completed in Spring 2023 and included the construction of four diversion dams, consolidation of two ditch diversions into a single point of diversion and replacement of five headgates, three of which are now automated. In addition to replacing aging infrastructure, the Project included the rectification of three fish barriers, 2,112 feet of streambank restoration, and 23.9 acres of enhanced and preserved habitat adjacent to the diversion sites.
The CRPP is a multi-phase effort to update irrigation infrastructure for improved diversion efficiency, river function, aquatic habitat connectivity, and riparian area health.
New JB Romero and North Eastern Ditches
New JB Romero and North Eastern Ditches
New JB Romero and North Eastern Ditches
Components:
- Consolidated the point of diversion for both ditches and constructed a new fish-passable diversion structure
- New headgates on river and carrier
- Headgate automation
- Channel shaping, streambank stabilization
- Improved riparian habitat
Sabine School Section Ditch
New JB Romero and North Eastern Ditches
New JB Romero and North Eastern Ditches
Components:
- Replaced headgate
- Replaced diversion with fish-passable structure
- Channel shaping, streambank stabilization
- Improved riparian habitat
Fuerticitos Ditch
Fuerticitos Ditch
Fuerticitos Ditch
Components:
- Replace diversion with fish-passable structure
- Replace headgate
- Channel shaping, streambank stabilization
- Improve riparian habitat
Elledges Ditch
Fuerticitos Ditch
Fuerticitos Ditch
Components:
- Replaced diversion with fish-passable structure
- Replaced existing headgate
- Channel shaping, streambank stabilization
- Improved riparian habitat