Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) is funding the majority of the concept design phase with some financial support from Delta County. The project leader, Painted Sky Resource & Conservation Development Council, has hired Tetra Tech, an international engineering firm with an office in Breckenridge, to complete the preliminary design and cost estimate. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) will fund the final design phase. Construction is scheduled for early fall of 2009. At that time, Painted Sky will solicit bids from design and construction companies.

Local companies and landowners can make tax-deductible donations of rocks for dam construction. Suitable rocks must be angular, not round, and range in size from two feet to six feet. Contact Paul Van Ryzin, NRCS coordinator working with Painted Sky RC&D, at 874-5735 ext. 113.

Modifying the dam structure has three objectives that will benefit fish, Hartland Dam Company, boaters and private landowners.

First, the dam has blocked the flannelmouth sucker, the bluehead sucker and the round tail chub from habitat upstream of the dam since it was installed. A fish passage in the new design will reconnect populations of fish above and below the dam, increasing their available habitat. Although not endangered, these three fish are species of concern to USFWS, making this the top priority for Region 6 of the USFWS.

Second, all modifications must allow Hartland Ditch Company to access its full water decree.

The third objective of the project benefits recreational boaters and private landowners on the riverfront near the dam. After the project completion in the spring of 2010, boaters crossing the dam will be safer and less tempted to trespass by portaging around the dam.

Attending the meeting were representatives from Hartland Dam Company, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Painted Sky RC&D, private landowners, Tetra Tech, Colorado River District, and USFWS. The Bureau of Reclamation, CDOW and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are involved with the project also. The project has broad support across the Delta and Montrose region.

Modifications to the Hartland Dam have been needed for years. Although the project has been discussed, funding has not materilized until now. Painted Sky RC&D, driven by its mission of promoting and balancing natural resources and economic development, has been instrumental in bringing stakeholders together and getting the project moving toward completion.

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