06/19/2024
Throwing it back to our project on Colorado’s Little Cimarron River! Nestled in the southern Rocky Mountains, the Little Cim is a top-notch trout stream cherished by fly anglers. It tumbles from the Uncompahgre Wilderness, bound for the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, 33 miles to the north.
Like many streams in the Rockies, however, a stretch of the Little Cimarron gets seasonally de-watered by irrigation diversions, cutting the lower river off from the upper river during the hottest months of the year. In order to keep the Little Cim flowing year-round, WRC purchased and conserved a 214-acre farm with a prime 5.76 CFS senior water right on the Little Cimarron. We then worked with Colorado Water Trust to develop the state’s first split-season irrigation plan that allowed for continued agriculture operations and ensured this stretch of the river flows year round.
This was a groundbreaking project with tremendously positive impacts for fish, wildlife and local agriculture. Head to our website to learn more!
Photo: Russ Schnitzer
