Rifle Creek Restoration Implementation Plan
MCWC is coordinating a multi-year restoration plan for a 6.5-mile stretch of Rifle Creek, addressing sediment, aging infrastructure, and habitat degradation through a series of shovel-ready projects.
Why It Matters
Rifle Creek suffers from high sediment loads, unstable banks, intermittent flows and water delivery infrastructure dating back to the 1880s. Rising temperatures and aridification are making these problems worse. This plan turns years of assessment into a phased, actionable roadmap for restoring the creek's health and water delivery reliability.
Impact Numbers
Five priority projects, one 6.5-mile creek, and a roadmap to restore it piece by piece.
6.5 miles of Rifle Creek addressed, from Rifle Gap Reservoir to the Colorado River confluence
5 priority restoration tasks identified, from ditch infrastructure to sediment control
2 tasks funded: The Grand Tunnel Ditch Flume Replacement is complete; Government Creek Restoration underway
Budget
Funding varies by task and is still being secured for most components. The Grand Tunnel Ditch Flume Replacement was fully funded (≤$21,000) by the Colorado Water Conservation Board's Water Supply Reserve Fund, the Trout and Salmon Foundation, and the Grand Tunnel Ditch Company. Centennial Park's Phase I engineering was funded by the City of Rifle and a private donor; Phase II implementation is estimated between $1.4M and $4M depending upon which plan is selected. Government Creek sediment control is funded for design and partial implementation through Sonoran Institute’s Growing Water Smart, Colorado Healthy Rivers, and Colorado River Collaborative grants. The Wisdom Ditch Intake Redesign is estimated at $60,000 to $80,000 for engineering and $500,000 to $800,000 for construction; funding not yet confirmed.
Timeline
Nine local representatives attended an April 2025 Growing Colorado Water Smart workshop hosted by the Sonoran Institute to prioritize actionable projects. The Grand Tunnel Ditch Flume Replacement was completed in Q2 2026. Centennial Park's concept design was completed in June 2026, with preparations underway for its Phase II implementation funding. Remaining tasks are being designed and phased for implementation over multiple years.
Connection to IWMP
This plan advances MCWC's Water Quality & Quantity and Aquatic & Riparian Habitat focus areas, translating watershed-wide priorities into a phased, actionable plan for one of the Middle Colorado's key tributaries.
Beneficiaries
| Local water users | Rifle Creek ecosystem |
|---|---|
| Upgraded ditch infrastructure improves water delivery reliability for 19+ users, including the City of Rifle. | Sediment control, channel restoration, and invasive species removal restore habitat and stream health on both municipal and private land. |
Location
Rifle Creek, from Rifle Gap Reservoir to its confluence with the Colorado River, Garfield County, Colorado
Status
In progress with phased implementation. One task (Grand Tunnel Ditch Flume Replacement) completed; others in design, funding or planning stages.
Funders & Collaborators
City of Rifle
Garfield County
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW)
Local ditch companies (including Grand Tunnel Ditch Company)
Growing Colorado Water Smart / Sonoran Institute
Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB)
Colorado Watershed Assembly (Colorado Healthy Rivers)
Colorado River Collaborative
Aspen One Environment Foundation
Trout and Salmon Foundation
Private landowners
