Feb. 9, 2021 PROJECT UPDATE
FIXING A PROBLEM SPOT ON THE ROARING FORK
Between December 2020 and spring 2021, Pitkin County Healthy Rivers will construct a permanent fix for a long-time problem spot on the Roaring Fork River. The Robinson Diversion Modification Project will address a variety of river health and recreational safety issues in the immediate vicinity of the Robinson Ditch diversion – located between old town Basalt and Willits:
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1) New Headgate Structure
Improves ditch functionality and reduces the need for annual in-stream maintenance 2) Upstream Grade-Control Structure Stabilizes the stream-bed and reduces the need for annual in-stream maintenance 3) Downstream Grade-Control Structure Replaces the elevated rip-rap drop structure with lower angle/elevation stream-bed stabilization 4) Gradual Riffle Drop A long, gradual, riffle drop will be installed between the new grade-control structures, improving downstream boater safety & upstream fish passage 5) New Ditch Overflow Structure Improves ditch functionality |
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What?
For safety reasons, river users are asked to avoid the Robinson Ditch Modification Project site on the Roaring Fork River for the duration of in-stream construction. Where? The project site, and temporary river closure, are located between Old Town Basalt and Willits - approximately 2.5 miles downstream of the Fisherman’s Park boat launch and 0.75 miles upstream of the Hooks Lane bridge. Why? The main flow of the river will be temporarily diverted through the project site and heavy equipment will be working in, and along, the river. It will NOT be possible to boat through the project site while the river is diverted. When? In-stream construction will be completed between December 2020 and mid-March 2021. |
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BOATERS BE AWARE!It will NOT be possible to boat through the project site during in-stream construction. There are NO public boat ramps where large boats can take-out between Fisherman’s Park and the Robinson Ditch project site.
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PRESS RELEASE
December 7, 2020
All the permits are in and Pitkin County Healthy Rivers is about to construct a permanent fix for a long-time problem spot on the Roaring Fork River.
The Robinson Diversion Modification Project will address a variety of river health and recreational safety issues in the immediate vicinity of the Robinson Ditch diversion – located between old town Basalt and Willits.
Channel instabilities at Robinson’s diversion point have historically required sediment and log jam removal, and repositioning of boulders and alluvium on an annual basis. These frequent in-stream maintenance events have negative impacts on river health, and many recreational boaters and fishermen view the diversion as a navigational hazard.
In 2017, Healthy Rivers began working with Carbondale-based River Restoration to design a permanent solution to address these concerns. The plan includes modifications that will result in safer boat passage, increased fish passage, improved bank and in-channel stability, reduced annual in-channel maintenance, and improved headgate operations.
The cost of the project is estimated to be $800,000. To date, Healthy Rivers has raised $256,216 in grants from partner agencies. This includes two separate grants from the Colorado Water Conservation Board ($171,216 in funding from the Colorado Water Plan, and $45,000 from the Water Supply Reserve Fund), and a $40,000 Fishing is Fun grant from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Healthy Rivers may seek additional grants to help offset the project price-tag. The Roaring Fork Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, Roaring Fork Fishing Guide Alliance, and the Robinson Ditch Company have all written letters of support for the project.
Construction activities will begin in early December. The project’s permits allow in-stream construction activities between December 1st, 2020 and March 1st, 2021. If needed, the county may seek an additional 2-week extension for the in-stream work (through March 15th, 2021). Construction activities outside of the river channel should wrap up by the end of April.
Construction access and equipment staging will be located on the north side of the Roaring Fork River along Willits Lane. Heavy equipment will utilize an existing dirt road that provides direct access to the Robinson Ditch diversion. This access road leaves the south side of Willits Lane approximately 300 feet west of the Willits Lane/Two Rivers Road intersection along Highway 82. Vehicles and pedestrians are asked to watch for and abide by all flaggers and construction signage in the area.
For safety reasons, river users are asked to avoid this section of Roaring Fork River through the duration of the in-stream work. During the first phase of the project, the main flow of the river will be temporarily diverted and heavy equipment will be working in and along the river. It will not be possible to boat through the project site while the river is diverted.
Contact:
Lisa MacDonald,
Pitkin County Attorney's Office & Healthy Rivers Program
lisa.macdonald@pitkincounty.com
(970) 920-5191
December 7, 2020
All the permits are in and Pitkin County Healthy Rivers is about to construct a permanent fix for a long-time problem spot on the Roaring Fork River.
The Robinson Diversion Modification Project will address a variety of river health and recreational safety issues in the immediate vicinity of the Robinson Ditch diversion – located between old town Basalt and Willits.
Channel instabilities at Robinson’s diversion point have historically required sediment and log jam removal, and repositioning of boulders and alluvium on an annual basis. These frequent in-stream maintenance events have negative impacts on river health, and many recreational boaters and fishermen view the diversion as a navigational hazard.
In 2017, Healthy Rivers began working with Carbondale-based River Restoration to design a permanent solution to address these concerns. The plan includes modifications that will result in safer boat passage, increased fish passage, improved bank and in-channel stability, reduced annual in-channel maintenance, and improved headgate operations.
The cost of the project is estimated to be $800,000. To date, Healthy Rivers has raised $256,216 in grants from partner agencies. This includes two separate grants from the Colorado Water Conservation Board ($171,216 in funding from the Colorado Water Plan, and $45,000 from the Water Supply Reserve Fund), and a $40,000 Fishing is Fun grant from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Healthy Rivers may seek additional grants to help offset the project price-tag. The Roaring Fork Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, Roaring Fork Fishing Guide Alliance, and the Robinson Ditch Company have all written letters of support for the project.
Construction activities will begin in early December. The project’s permits allow in-stream construction activities between December 1st, 2020 and March 1st, 2021. If needed, the county may seek an additional 2-week extension for the in-stream work (through March 15th, 2021). Construction activities outside of the river channel should wrap up by the end of April.
Construction access and equipment staging will be located on the north side of the Roaring Fork River along Willits Lane. Heavy equipment will utilize an existing dirt road that provides direct access to the Robinson Ditch diversion. This access road leaves the south side of Willits Lane approximately 300 feet west of the Willits Lane/Two Rivers Road intersection along Highway 82. Vehicles and pedestrians are asked to watch for and abide by all flaggers and construction signage in the area.
For safety reasons, river users are asked to avoid this section of Roaring Fork River through the duration of the in-stream work. During the first phase of the project, the main flow of the river will be temporarily diverted and heavy equipment will be working in and along the river. It will not be possible to boat through the project site while the river is diverted.
Contact:
Lisa MacDonald,
Pitkin County Attorney's Office & Healthy Rivers Program
lisa.macdonald@pitkincounty.com
(970) 920-5191
