Overview
The Rio Grande Infrastructure, Recreation, and Habitat Improvement Project is a multi-purpose project that improved the function and reduce maintenance needs for four irrigation diversion structures, while enhancing stream function, and allowing safe boat passage. The Anaconda, Independent #2, Ehrowitz, and Billings ditches each required significant maintenance by water users, which can adversely affect river aquatic habitat and water quality due to the frequent use of heavy equipment in the river channel. Additionally, three of these ditches (Anaconda, Independent #2, and Ehrowitz) are located within the Rio Grande’s Gold Medal waters (see map to the left) where both wade and float fishing are popular activities. However, their diversions presented a navigational hazard for recreational boating. During low flow conditions, watercraft, especially dories and drift boats, had difficulty navigating these structures due to the lack of a defined low flow channel or other boat passage design feature. These hazards reduced the number of boatable days on the Rio Grande between South Fork and Del Norte, particularly during dry years.
Project activities addressed these issues through the replacement of the each ditch’s diversion with new structures that include fish and boat passage while also allowing the ditch’s water users to divert their full water right at all flows.
Project Sites
Billings Ditch (complete)
Billings Ditch (complete)
Billings Ditch (complete)
Needs Identified: The diversion dam, river headgate, and ditch control gates were in poor condition. The site streambanks were unstable and riparian and aquatic habitat was adversely affected by frequent maintenance required to upkeep the ditch.
Components:
- Installation of a new concrete headgate and grouted rock diversion with fish-passable structure
- Added headgate automation
- Channel shaping and streambank stabilization
- Riparian and aquatic habitat restoration
Anaconda Ditch (complete)
Billings Ditch (complete)
Billings Ditch (complete)
Needs Identified: The diversion dam and river headgate were in poor condition and presented a boating hazard. Frequent maintenance of the feeder ditch resulted in in adverse effects on water quality and riparian and aquatic habitat. Debris build-up at the headgate inhibited water flow and presented a constant maintenance challenge.
Components:
- Installation of a new headgate and diversion with fish- and boat-passable structure
- Channel shaping and streambank stabilization
- Riparian and aquatic habitat restoration
Ehrowitz Ditch (complete)
Ehrowitz Ditch (complete)
Ehrowitz Ditch (complete)
Needs Identified: The diversion dam and river headgate were in poor condition and presented a boating hazard, especially at low flows. The water users had difficulty accessing water for irrigation, especially at low flows. Additionally, frequent maintenance of the diversion resulted in adverse effects on water quality and riparian and aquatic habitat.
Components:
- Installation of a new headgate and diversion that is fish- and boat-passable
- Channel shaping and streambank stabilization
- Riparian and aquatic habitat restoration
Independent #2 (complete)
Ehrowitz Ditch (complete)
Ehrowitz Ditch (complete)
Needs Identified: The diversion dam and river headgate were in poor condition and presented a navigational hazard for boats, especially at low flows. Water users had difficulty diverting irrigation water at low flows and needed to maintain the diversion regularly. Frequent maintenance resulted in adverse effects on water quality and riparian and aquatic habitat. Trash build-up at the site inhibited water flow.
Components:
- Installation of a new headgate and diversion dam that includes fish and boat passage
- Channel shaping and streambank stabilization
- Riparian and aquatic habitat restoration