HCCA’s Instream Flow Proposals
Fish need water and we are working to assure that they have room to swim
An instream flow is a legal water right to protect a quantified minimum amount of water in a stream. As Linda Bassi from the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) puts it, instream flows “preserve the status quo on a stream of what the flows are, and [prevent] the stream from being further dried up in the future”. Because it is a water right that is decreed in time, instream flow rights don’t take priority over irrigation, municipal, and/or other rights established earlier in time, but can protect minimum flows for fisheries against future appropriations. Instream flows are important to provide water for riparian ecosystems, wildlife, and fisheries. They benefit other aspects of our local community as well. By living in a community that values outdoor recreation and relies on a tourism economy, instream flow appropriations inherently contribute to a healthy economy while promoting the overall scenic beauty of the Gunnison Valley.
Oh-Be-Joyful
Oh-Be-Joyful is one of the Gunnison Basin’s most iconic reaches, with numerous cascades, incredible scenery, and high-alpine habitat for fish. HCCA partnered with the Bureau of Land Management in 2012 to create an instream flow protection that would assure that there are sufficient flows to support this ecosystem.
Brush Creek
The Brush Creek watershed is unique in our basin for the important habitat that it supports. This instream flow supports important native cutthroat habitat as well as the boreal toad habitat in the surrounding riparian area.
Slate River
The Slate River host unique botanical assets and has been recognized by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program as a Potential Conservation Area for having high biodiversity significance. HCCA worked with the BLM to propose an instream flow that would adequately protect this biodiversity.
Dutchman Creek
Dutchman Creek is a small creek with headwaters coming down from Baldy mountain south of highway 50. It provides excellent habitat in a drier part of the Gunnison basin and sustains a small fishery.
Coal Creek
Coal Creek is critical to our valley as our local water supply for the Town of Crested Butte and hosting an important and recovering fishery. HCCA partnered with American Rivers to add seasonal variability to this instream flow, increasing flow protections during summer runoff.
Wildcat Creek
Wildcat Creek was impacted by historic mining practices in its headwaters. While Wildcat used to be unable to sustain a fishery, reclamation activities have improved its water quality and there is now a recovering fishery.
Lottis Creek
One of the major tributaries to the Taylor River. It’s a popular destination for recreationists who take advantage of the natural environment preserved by this increased instream flow by fishing its abundant waters.
Spring Creek
In addition to supporting a healthy aquatic ecosystem, flows in Spring Creek support a robust riparian area. Below the reservoir is a braided wetland complex that funnels intoSpring Creek. Numerous springs and seeps contribute to the creek at various locations below the reservoir.
Italian Creek
Italian Creek originates high along the divide. The instream flow proposed by HCCA will protect a robust beaver complex and extensive wetland area dependent on Italian Creek.
Cement Creek
The Cement Creek hydrology supports a unique fen that has rare water quality and in unique in the world. Protecting an instream flow on Cement Creek provides a small measure of protection for this unique ecosystem.
Gold Creek
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