Silt Boat Ramp Access and Parking Lot Expansion Completed in 2022

Silt Island Park’s boat ramp experienced a rapid increase in traffic since 2019 with anglers pushed to new locations because of upstream fishing closures due to warmer river water, debris and sediment from post wildfire flooding events after the Grizzly Creek Fire, and increased popularity of outdoor activities during the COVID pandemic.

The launch area of the Silt Boat Ramp could only accommodate one or two vehicles depending on flow conditions, and the vehicular approach to the launch area was limited by a single lane dirt road that connected to the parking area. This constricted space led to traffic flow issues involving vehicles and vehicles towing boat trailers.

Middle Colorado Watershed Council secured funds from the Colorado Water Conservation Board in 2021 and 2022 to support design and engineering to increase the capacity for boat launching and parking and to improve the traffic movement and flow. Design plans included the pedestrian trail so individual river recreation users could access the river with hand-carried watercraft. An engineer completed design work to enlarge and improve the launch, improve circulation and parking area design, advise on obtaining necessary permits and provide construction costs.

The design required a sensitive approach to minimize the impacts to riparian vegetation and maintain streambank and channel integrity.

Construction costs for improving this recreation facility were minimal because the Town of Silt contributed in-kind staff labor and equipment to clear and grub vacant land on the south side of the parking area to prepare for parking expansion and access. Town staff removed trees and relocated the boulder barrier, and built the pedestrian trail access to the river.

In 2022, the town prepared the subgrade preparation and applied the road base of aggregate base course materials. Later in the summer, the town provided parking delineation in the parking area.