Working Rivers

We are finding balanced solutions for working rivers. Many of Colorado’s Front Range rivers are considered “working rivers” because in addition to providing ecological benefits such as habitat and water quality, they also provide considerable economic and recreational benefits for our communities and enhance our community’s quality of life. As beneficiaries of the services provided by our working rivers, it is our responsibility to explore ways to balance river health with societal needs.

With an appreciation for the needs of water users and fish, we are exploring ways to balance these needs in our Fish Passage and Feasibility Study. We are also completing a design-build restoration project on the North St. Vrain that will improve in-stream fish habitat while repairing a diversion structure to provide efficient water delivery for agriculture purposes. In 2019, we worked with Left Hand Ditch Company to improve fish passage at the Allen’s Lake Diversion as part of a flood recovery and restoration project.