Featured Project: Fish Passage Design & Riparian Improvements at the Whitney-B.H. Eaton Ditch

Aerial view of the Whitney Ditch, located on the Cache la Poudre River in Windsor, Colorado.

Currently, the Whitney and B.H. Eaton diversion structures, located within the lower Poudre River Watershed, are barriers to fish. Upstream of the structures, the Poudre has a broad floodplain and several thriving backwater areas. Downstream of the structures the channel is relatively narrow and steeper with some pool-riffle sequencing. Portions of this reach downstream are separated from the floodplain by berms protecting the storage ponds and agricultural areas. The river meanders broadly around storage ponds and most of the land around this reach is used as naturalized open area with herbaceous landcover and low development.

This project has the potential to provide sediment continuity through this reach, enable fish access to a broader range of diverse habitat, and bring an increased level of resiliency to this section of the Poudre River.

Project Goals:

• Develop a 30-50% design for fish passage for the Whitney and B.H. Eaton Diversion structures on the Cache la Poudre River that will benefit native fish without impinging on water rights/decreed deliveries.

• Complete an engineering assessment of the walkway at the Whitney diversion structure.

• Design-build a small restoration project for 600-700 feet of the stream side/riparian area between the Whitney and B.H. Eaton structures with minimal disturbance to existing habitat.

• Enhance aquatic and riparian habitats.

• Engage local stakeholders in the design process for the reach.