Silt Boat Ramp Access & Parking Lot Expansion
MCWC secured funding and engineering support to expand Silt Island Park's boat ramp and parking area, easing congestion caused by increasing river recreation demand in the midvalley.
Why It Matters
MCWC partnered with the Town of Silt to expand Silt Island Park's boat ramp and parking area, giving a growing community of anglers and river recreationists room to safely enjoy the water they love.
Impact Numbers
$46,153 in grants facilitated by MCWC, plus $8,000 from the Town of Silt
Single lane access road widened to allow vehicles to pass side by side
1 new pedestrian trail added for hand-carried watercraft access
Increased parking capacity
Budget
$46,153 in grants requested and managed by MCWC and awarded by the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), with an additional $8,000 in matching funds and in-kind labor from the Town of Silt. Engineering and consulting work was completed by RiverRestoration and RB Civil Engineering of Carbondale.
Timeline
MCWC secured CWCB funding for design and engineering in 2021 and 2022. Over roughly two years, the Town of Silt cleared and graded the parking expansion area, relocated the boulder barrier, built the pedestrian trail, and completed subgrade preparation, aggregate base course application and parking lot delineation. The expanded lot and boat ramp were completed in summer 2022.
Connection to IWMP
This project advances MCWC's River Recreation focus area, expanding safe, sustainable access to the Colorado River for anglers and recreationists who enjoy it.
Beneficiaries
| River recreationists and anglers | Riparian habitat | Local community members |
|---|---|---|
| Expanded parking and a widened launch area eliminates boat, vehicle and trailer congestion; minimizes safety hazards of overflow parking on County Road 311. | A carefully designed expansion minimized impacts to riparian vegetation and streambank integrity. A robust population of leopard frogs, and other wildlife, are supported in this habitat. | An improved boat ramp and parking area provides safe and easy access to the river in the midvalley. |
Location
Silt Island Park, Silt, Colorado
Status
Completed (Summer 2022)
Funders & Collaborators
Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB)
Town of Silt
RiverRestoration
RB Civil Engineering
Silt Sand and Gravel
