Tomichi Creek – Coats Bros Ditch

Background

Tomichi Creek experiences localized dry ups, which negatively impact river connectivity and present barriers to fish migration. A partnership between the Kruthaupt Ranch, Trout Unlimited, and Colorado Water Trust was created to share use of water in the Coats Bros Ditch for both the irrigation of hay meadows and pasture grass and the improvement of river connectivity and fish migration.

Tool

Loans & Leases

This Temporary Instream Flow Lease creates a partnership with a water user on the ditch to use the water right for irrigation, but also to cease diversions in times of low flows to protect up to 12.3 miles of Instream Flow in three out of 10 years.

Partners

Trout Unlimited, Colorado Water Conservation Board, Kruthaupt Ranch

Impact

Through 2021, the Coats Bros Ditch Project has restored over

66
Million gallons

202.7
Acre-feet of water to Tomichi Creek.

Timeline

2018 - 2028