Godfrey Ditch Restoration Project
Project Background
The Godfrey Ditch Restoration Project* is located within the South Platte River just southeast of Evans, Colorado in Weld County. The purpose of the Godfrey Ditch Diversion Structure Reconstruction project is to improve the resiliency of this section of the Middle South Platte River by designing and reconstructing the Godfrey Ditch diversion to reduce or eliminate backwater and sediment concerns, incorporating fish and recreational passage into the diversion, and regrading/stabilizing/revegetating various portions of the Project Area, all while preserving the capacity of the structure to divert the full decree of water to the ditch, without harming other downstream water users.
*This project was started by the Middle South Platte River Alliance (MSPRA) as a critical post-flood restoration and resiliency project. After MSPRA discontinued operations, the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) asked the Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed (CPRW) to take the project based on our previous experience and expertise.
Partners
The Godfrey Ditch Company
Project Goals & Benefits
A multiple-benefit diversion project on the South Platte in Weld County — all while delivering the full decree of water.
Reduce sediment transport disruptions
Improve maintenance requirements
Limit damage potential in future floods
Enhance aquatic and riparian habitats
Enable fish and safe recreational boating passage
Along with the newly completed fish passage at the Latham diversion (downstream of Godfrey), the addition of the Godfrey fish passage now connects approximately 11.8 miles of the Middle South Platte River to be fish passable!
Native fish species that will benefit from the project include:
Bigmouth Shiner
Creek Chub
Fathead Minnow
Johnny Darter
Longnose Dace
Plains Killifish
Red Shiner
Sand Shiner
White Sucker
Longnose Sucker
Green Sunfish
Plains Topminnow (Tier 1 Species of Greatest Conservation Need) and Brassy Minnow (Tier 1 SGCN) are believed to be recently extirpated from the reach.
Completion Date
June 2021