Rio Grande Fish Kill Response and Restoration in Del Norte, San Luis Valley

The Rio Grande Headwaters Restoration Project (RGHRP) has acknowledged its role in a significant fish kill along a 7.2-mile stretch of the Rio Grande near Del Norte, Colorado.

This incident occurred during the Farmers Union Canal Diversion and Headgate Improvement Project, aimed at enhancing aquatic habitats and modernizing irrigation infrastructure.

Executive Director Daniel Boyes cited a combination of factors, including a tight construction timeline and changing weather conditions, that led to the decision to minimize river flows, resulting in unintended dry riverbeds and substantial fish mortality.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) biologists estimate that the affected fishery could take three to five years to recover.

Species impacted include brown and rainbow trout across all age classes, as well as other aquatic organisms.

In response, RGHRP and the San Luis Valley Irrigation District have collaborated with CPW to restore normal flows to the north channel of the Rio Grande.

Construction is expected to be completed by early April.

The project, funded in part by a $1.27 million grant from the Bureau of Reclamation, aims to replace aging diversion structures with fish-friendly designs, improve water management efficiency, and support local agriculture.

Despite the setback, the project is expected to provide long-term benefits to the river ecosystem and surrounding communities.