The Middle Colorado Watershed Council (MCWC) has broken ground on the Roan Creek Fish Barrier Project after more than five years of planning.

Located in western Garfield County’s De Beque Canyon, the upper section of Roan Creek is home to one of Colorado’s most unique fish habitats. Bluehead suckers, Paiute sculpin, speckled dace and a rare genetic strain of Colorado River cutthroat trout live in the creek — all of which are increasingly rare throughout the Colorado River Basin.

Announced in early 2023, the Roan Creek Fish Barrier Project will construct a permanent barrier to protect this native ecosystem from nonnative fish such as brook and rainbow trout.

“This is a win-win for both native fish and water users,” Garfield County Commissioner Perry Will said in a MCWC news release regarding the ground breaking. “Garfield County is proud to support this project as a Category A partner, helping leverage the funding and collaboration it took to get here. Keeping nonnative species like brook and rainbow trout out of this system is essential to preserving that rare genetic makeup and ensuring these fish continue to thrive.”

The project is part of the council’s larger Integrated Water Management Plan, which ties into the broader Colorado Water Plan. In total, it represents more than $1 million in investment into the health of the Colorado River watershed.

The project is primarily funded through the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART Program under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Additional support came from the Colorado Water Conservation Board, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Colorado River District’s Community Funding Partnership, and the Trout and Salmon Foundation.

“The Roan Creek Fish Barrier project is a great example of how targeted, local investments and partnerships can complete projects that support multiple benefits,” Community Funding Partnership Program Manager at the Colorado River District Melissa Wills said in the release. “Upgrading this infrastructure brings lasting benefits to both native ecosystems and the agricultural community. The River District is proud to have helped secure significant state and federal funding through our Accelerator Grant Program, and to be part of the collaborative effort that made this project possible.”

The new construction project will also replace outdated irrigation infrastructure, eliminate push-up dams, and install a modern concrete diversion with a headgate, fish screen and a flow-measuring device, the release explains. 

According to MCWC Assistant Area Wildlife Manager Albert Romero, the new framework will improve efficiency for water users while simultaneously streamlining the flow and improving the ecosystem. 

“The construction of the fish passage barrier on Roan Creek marks a major step toward protecting and sustaining its unique native fishery,” he said in the release. “For more than 15 years, CPW and partners — including the Bureau of Land Management, local landowners and many others — have worked extensively throughout the drainage to conserve this vital resource.”

For more information about the Middle Colorado Watershed Council or the groundbreaking event, visit garfieldcountyco.gov.