Winter flows boost Conejos trout

Kevin Terry (left) and local rancher: working to improve flows. 

By Randy Scholfield

The Conejos River has always been an undervalued gem among Colorado’s trout rivers—in the upper sections of the river, it’s almost Gold Medal status. But for years, the river has fallen short of its potential because of chronic low flows in the winter, which suppress trout populations.

When biologist Kevin Terry joined TU’s Colorado staff in 2013, one of his charges was improving flows in the Conejos.  He has delivered with the Conejos Winter Flow Program (CWFP).

After talking to numerous stakeholders and learning more about the history and regulations of the river system, Terry launched the CWFP to provide healthier flows for fish year-round—which will also boost habitat and fishing opportunities in the river.

Terry focused on a 15-mile stretch between Platoro Reservoir and the south fork of the Conejos, where winter ice forced fish to pack into crowded holes, increasing their stress levels and mortality rates.

Under CWFP, Terry set to work convincing local water districts and irrigators to voluntarily adopt more flexible schedules for their water deliveries to provide more sustained flows during the fall and winter. The target was putting an extra 3 cubic feet per second (cfs) of water in the Conejos during winter months—that’s almost a 42 percent boost in river flows during that non-irrigation period.

The revamped water management provides multiple benefits for both fish and recreation and also the water users on both the Rio Grande and Conejos Rivers. By more gradually rolling out water deliveries, for instance, the program ensured that the Rio Grande would still be floatable during the Fourth of July holiday—a popular time for visiting anglers to fish the river and spend money in local communities.

“Everyone benefited from taking a closer look at how water could be managed for a greater impact,” Terry said. "The valley is really getting behind this program because we are talking care of our fish and our farms too."

Moreover, TU's local San Luis Valley chapter has stepped up its stream habitat restoration work in recent years, partnering with the U.S. Forest Service, Conejos River Anglers, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife on restoration projects along the Conejos--work that also has improved conditions for trout. The SLV chapter is planning to start additional habitat work in 2017 on the 15-mile reach most impacted by low winter flows, with the intent to supplement the flow work and increase available winter habitat.

Terry noted that the program illustrates the power of collaboration: by working together, the partners put storage water to work to produce diverse and multiple benefits downstream.

Partners included Colorado Parks & Wildlife, the Colorado Division of Water Resources, the Conejos Water Conservancy District, SLV Water Conservancy District, Rio Grande Water Conservation District, SLV Irrigation District and Rio Grande Water Users. 

Randy Scholfield is TU's communications director for the Southwest.