Roan Creek Fish Barrier & Diversion Infrastructure Project 

The Roan Creek Project is a conservation and infrastructure initiative focused on protecting rare native fish and improving irrigation systems for local landowners in western Colorado. The Middle Colorado Watershed Council in collaboration with Garfield County, and state and federal funders have successfully started the build of the fish barrier August 5, 2025. The barrier will not only support the health of native fish species, but also improve efficiency in water delivery. This project was made possible by the:

• Bureau of Reclamation (BOR): WaterSMART grant 

• Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

• Colorado River District

• Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW)

• Colorado Basin Roundtable (CWCB)

• Colorado Water Conservation Board

Protecting Colorado’s Native Species

The Roan Creek is a 45.7 mile long tributary that provides critical habitat for several native species, including the Colorado River cutthroat trout, bluehead sucker, Paiute sculpin, and speckled dace, all of which have become increasingly rare across the region. Today, the Colorado River cutthroat trout, now occupy as little as 14% of their original habitat.

Non-native fish such as brook trout, rainbow trout, and their hybrid offspring known as cutbows have made their way into parts of the watershed. These invasive species compete with native fish for food and habitat, and rainbow trout can also interbreed with cutthroat trout, threatening their unique genetic identity. Without intervention, these native species could disappear from the creek. This project is designed to prevent that outcome and enhance irrigation infrastructure to benefit both the stream and the surrounding agricultural community. Natural barriers like waterfalls or artificial constructed barriers protect unique and important populations of native fish species. Following the isolation of native populations, resource managers remove non-native fish from the isolation reaches. These management actions allow native fish to thrive in their historic habitats without the threat of competition or hybridization.  

Measuring and Monitoring Water

As water supplies become more limited, the gap between how much water is available and how much agriculture needs is growing across the Middle Colorado River region. At the same time, rising temperatures are increasing the amount of water that crops require, putting even more pressure on already stretched resources. The Roan project will upgrade the old irrigation system by removing temporary push-up dams and replacing them with a modern, permanent structure. This new concrete diversion will include a headgate to control water flow, a screen to keep fish out of irrigation channels, and a device to measure how much water is being used. These improvements will make water delivery more efficient for landowners and help protect the health of the stream and the fish that live in it. 

Project Updates

The team has added the concrete walls! An amazing crew, including the Kissner General Contractors team, and Wright Water Engineers and MCWC, have been working hard bringing this project to life. We will soon witness the amazing benefits of the Roan Creek Fish Barrier. Stay tuned! 

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