MWDG has designed an improved configuration for the Hartland Dam in Delta, Colorado. The modification objective is to:
- Provide upstream passage for three native fishes, roundtail chub, bluehead sucker, and flannelmouth sucker, and to reestablish population connectivity for these fishes upstream and downstream of the dam.
- Improve safety of boat passage over the existing dam.
- Preserve the ability of the Hartland Irrigation Company to divert river flow for irrigation.
This is a landmark project for fans of the whitewater park movement for its progressive objectives and the tremendous effort made by project partners to serve multiple uses and users. Painted Sky, a 501c3 Colorado Corporation, is shepherding this important project as a steward of the Upper Colorado Basin. See their website for more project photos and detail. See the MWDG flickr set of project photos of the mid-construction diversion.