Oct. 18, 2024

Colorado River Connectivity Channel Celebrated at Project Dedication

Federal, state and local officials joined leaders of the Northern Water and the Municipal Subdistrict on Tuesday to dedicate the Colorado River Connectivity Channel at Windy Gap Reservoir near Granby.

The channel diverts water from the Colorado River above Windy Gap Reservoir and carries it around the reservoir before releasing it into the Colorado River channel downstream of the Windy Gap Dam.

About 150 people were on hand at the official dedication ceremony for the $33 million project. Representatives from major partners, including the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Colorado Division of Natural Resources, Grand County, Colorado River Water Conservation District, Trout Unlimited and the Upper Colorado River Alliance spoke at the event.

Group of people doing ribbon cutting of Colorado River Connectivity Channel

The Windy Gap Project was dedicated in 1985 with the construction of Windy Gap Dam and pipeline, and it allows Front Range participants in the project to access water for hundreds of thousands of residents. With the coming addition of Chimney Hollow Reservoir to store Windy Gap water, advocates pursued the construction of the Connectivity Channel to restore some natural processes that had been lessened by the original Windy Gap Dam. An agreement between the Municipal Subdistrict and Grand County set the project in motion, and a diverse range of groups and individuals came together to plan for and fund the project.

Speakers for Tuesday's dedication included Municipal Subdistrict President Bill Emslie, Northern Water Director of Engineering Jeff Drager, Natural Resources Conservation Service State Conservationist Clint Evans, Colorado Department of Natural Resources Director Dan Gibbs, Grand County Commissioner Randy George, Trout Unlimited Colorado Director Drew Peternell, Upper Colorado River Alliance member Tony Kay, and CEI Inc. Chief Executive Officer Joe O'Dea.

According to state fisheries biologists, trout and sculpin have already started using the channel now that it connects two stretches of river that had been blocked for nearly 40 years. In coming years, after the vegetation at the site is established, the channel will be open for public fishing access on portions of the channel.