Partners dedicate 2,500 acre-feet of FryArk water to Upper Ark recreation, fisheries in historic drought

A collaborative effort by the Bureau of Reclamation, Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District, Colorado Water Conservation Board, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and Colorado Water Trust will provide additional stream flow August through November in support of recreation and fisheries during a time of historic drought on the Upper Arkansas River. Releases could begin as early as today. In this June photo, a family completes a float at sunset in Salida. CPW Photo/Dean Miller

Aug. 7, 2026

PUEBLO, Colo. – The Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District approved a cooperative effort on Aug. 6 to dedicate up to 2,500 acre-feet (814.6 million gallons) of Fryingpan-Arkansas Project water to the Upper Arkansas River through a collaboration with the Bureau of Reclamation, helping protect river health, recreation, and fisheries during one of Colorado's most challenging drought years. Water will be released from Twin Lakes and terminate at Pueblo Reservoir.

“The Southeastern District strives to use Project water in the Arkansas River basin as wisely as possible,” said Leann Noga, Executive Director of Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District. “In a challenging drought year such as this, keeping water in the river and working collaboratively is a top priority."

This effort brings together the Bureau of Reclamation, Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District, Colorado Water Conservation Board, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and Colorado Water Trust to provide additional streamflow from August through November. Releases could begin as early as Aug. 7, and will be managed to improve river conditions during late summer and early fall, when low flows and high-water temperatures place increasing stress on the river.

“Drought moves faster than water policy usually does. The District proposed a project in late July, and water will be in the river in early August,” said Blake Mamich, Programs Director at the Colorado Water Trust. “That is about as fast as a multi-party water agreement comes together in Colorado, and it happened because four organizations decided the river could not wait for the usual timeline.”

The additional water will help moderate water temperatures in various habitat types, improve access to thermal refuge habitat, and reduce stress on fish during peak summer months of the drought. These flows will help support populations of brown trout and rainbow trout that naturally reproduce in the Arkansas River, one of Colorado's Gold Medal Waters, a designation reserved for public rivers and lakes that consistently provide exceptional trout fishing.

"The drought conditions we're seeing this year call for creative partnerships and innovative solutions," said Lauren Ris, CWCB Director. "This effort demonstrates what's possible when water users, conservation organizations, and state partners come together to respond quickly to emerging needs. Through this collaborative project, we're helping protect the river while supporting the communities, recreation, and resources that depend on it."

“We are experiencing unprecedented low flows and high water temperatures on the Upper Arkansas River this year and it’s crucial to find ways to help protect the river for its fishery and recreational value,” said Alex Townsend, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Upper Arkansas River Basin Aquatic Biologist. “The increase in flows will help keep important forage and refuge habitat available for fish and invertebrates in the river leading up to brown trout spawn timing this fall. This flow augmentation represents an opportunity amongst diverse stakeholder groups to help protect the river for the remaining summer weeks.”

The Arkansas River supports agriculture, communities, recreation, and tourism across southeastern Colorado. This effort brings together stakeholders in a novel project to mobilize existing Fryingpan-Arkansas Project infrastructure and authorities to release water at a seasonally-optimal time to improve river conditions during drought. This strategy is not without consequence, though, as mobilizing the water early will result in evaporation and transit losses which will now be offset by the contributions of project partners while supporting local communities and wildlife. The additional water will benefit everyone who depends on a healthy river—from anglers and boaters to local businesses.

Colorado Water Trust, with the financial support of Niagara Cares will serve as the primary project sponsor, coordinating implementation with the project partners. The organization will contribute $100,000 toward the effort, while the Colorado Water Conservation Board and Colorado Parks and Wildlife will contribute $60,000 and $50,000, respectively.

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