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.
New JB Romero Ditch
Sabine School Section Ditch
New JB Romero Ditch
Needs Identified: Headgate and diversion washed out, inability to control flows, trash/debris build-up, streambank instability
Components:
- Replace headgate
- Replace diversion and consolidate with North Eastern Ditch and widen ditch to accommodate both diversions
- Channel shaping, streambank stabilization
- Improve riparian habitat
North Eastern Ditch
Sabine School Section Ditch
New JB Romero Ditch
Needs Identified: Diversion and headgate in poor condition, trash/debris build-up, high maintenance, streambank instability.
Components:
- Move point of diversion upstream to New JB Ditch and remove old diversion
- New headgates on river and carrier
- Headgate automation
- Channel shaping, streambank stabilization
- Improve riparian habitat
Sabine School Section Ditch
Sabine School Section Ditch
Sabine School Section Ditch
Needs Identified: Diversion dam and headgate in poor condition, diversion creates fish barrier, streambank instability upstream.
Components:
- Replace headgate
- Replace diversion with fish passable structure
- Channel shaping, streambank stabilization
- Improve riparian habitat
Fuerticitos Ditch
Fuerticitos Ditch
Sabine School Section Ditch
Needs Identified: Diversion dam and headgate in poor condition, diversion creates fish barrier, trash/debris build-up, streambank instability.
Components:
- Replace diversion including fish passage
- Replace headgate
- Channel shaping, streambank stabilization
- Improve riparian habitat
Elleges Ditch
Fuerticitos Ditch
Elleges Ditch
Needs identified: Diversion dam and headgate in poor condition, diversion creates fish barrier, streambank instability upstream.
Components:
- Replace diversion with fish passable structure
- Replace existing headgate
- Channel shaping, streambank stabilization
- Improve riparian habitat