08-18-2007, 04:10 AM
To improve the migration route for kokanee salmon upstream from Blue Mesa Reservoir, the Colorado Division of Wildlife, with help from the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District and local irrigators, is rebuilding an irrigation diversion structure in the Gunnison River.
The structure will be built on private property just below the Gunnison County Water Park. Construction is scheduled to start on Aug. 22 and will last up to five days. Boaters will not be allowed to float that section of river during construction.
Currently, a single structure diverts water into a ditch. Depending on the water level of the river when the kokanee begin their annual migration upstream during the late summer, the structure presents a five-foot tall barrier to the fish in that section of the river. The structure can be too high for salmon to jump over.
The new structure will provide a series of four 16-inch steps over more than 100 feet, so the fish will make only small jumps to continue upstream, explained Dan Brauch, aquatic biologist for the DOW in Gunnison.
In 2002, the DOW was required to capture migrating fish in nets and then truck them 20 miles to the Roaring Judy Hatchery where they were spawned. That method was inefficient, expensive and dangerous for workers.
Annually, the DOW collects 6-8 million eggs from the kokanee - enough to supply many of the state hatcheries.
"This project will be a huge improvement, it's very important for the kokanee program," Brauch said.
The new structure's smaller drops will also provide safer passage for rafts and kayaks going downstream. The structures, however, are not designed as "play" structures for boats. The DOW consulted with Gunnison County which operates the Gunnison Water Park.
The structure will be built completely from rocks. It is designed to withstand flows during the spring run-off. No cement or metal supports will be used.
The project will cost about $50,000. The Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District and area irrigators will provide grants of $35,000 to the project. The DOW will fund the remaining costs. About 600 two- to six-foot diameter rocks excavated from a nearby highway project of the Colorado Department of Transportation will be used.
For more information, call Brauch at (970)641-7070.
For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.
The structure will be built on private property just below the Gunnison County Water Park. Construction is scheduled to start on Aug. 22 and will last up to five days. Boaters will not be allowed to float that section of river during construction.
Currently, a single structure diverts water into a ditch. Depending on the water level of the river when the kokanee begin their annual migration upstream during the late summer, the structure presents a five-foot tall barrier to the fish in that section of the river. The structure can be too high for salmon to jump over.
The new structure will provide a series of four 16-inch steps over more than 100 feet, so the fish will make only small jumps to continue upstream, explained Dan Brauch, aquatic biologist for the DOW in Gunnison.
In 2002, the DOW was required to capture migrating fish in nets and then truck them 20 miles to the Roaring Judy Hatchery where they were spawned. That method was inefficient, expensive and dangerous for workers.
Annually, the DOW collects 6-8 million eggs from the kokanee - enough to supply many of the state hatcheries.
"This project will be a huge improvement, it's very important for the kokanee program," Brauch said.
The new structure's smaller drops will also provide safer passage for rafts and kayaks going downstream. The structures, however, are not designed as "play" structures for boats. The DOW consulted with Gunnison County which operates the Gunnison Water Park.
The structure will be built completely from rocks. It is designed to withstand flows during the spring run-off. No cement or metal supports will be used.
The project will cost about $50,000. The Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District and area irrigators will provide grants of $35,000 to the project. The DOW will fund the remaining costs. About 600 two- to six-foot diameter rocks excavated from a nearby highway project of the Colorado Department of Transportation will be used.
For more information, call Brauch at (970)641-7070.
For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.