Oh-Be-Joyful 

In 2012, HCCA partnered with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to establish instream flow protections for Oh-Be-Joyful Creek, renowned for its cascades and high-alpine fish habitats. This initiative ensures sufficient flows to support the creek's vibrant ecosystem.

 

Slate River 

The Slate River hosts unique botanical assets and has been recognized by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program as a Potential Conservation Area for having high biodiversity significance. HCCA worked with the BLM to propose an instream flow that would adequately protect this biodiversity. 

 

Coal Creek 

Coal Creek is critical to our valley as our local water supply for the Town of Crested Butte and hosting an important and recovering fishery. HCCA partnered with American Rivers to add seasonal variability to this instream flow, increasing flow protections during summer runoff.

 

Brush Creek 

The Brush Creek watershed is unique in our basin for the important habitat that it supports. This instream flow supports important native cutthroat habitat as well as boreal toad habitat in the surrounding riparian area. 

 

Dutchman Creek 

Dutchman Creek is a small creek with headwaters coming down from Baldy mountain south of highway 50. It provides excellent habitat in a drier part of the Gunnison basin and sustains a small fishery.

 

Wildcat Creek 

Wildcat Creek was impacted by historic mining practices in its headwaters. While Wildcat used to be unable to sustain a fishery, reclamation activities have improved its water quality and there is now a recovering fishery. 

 

Lottis Creek 

One of the major tributaries to the Taylor River. It’s a popular destination for recreationists who take advantage of the natural environment preserved by this increased instream flow by fishing its abundant waters. 

 

Italian Creek 

Italian Creek originates high along the divide. The instream flow proposed by HCCA will protect a robust beaver complex and extensive wetland area dependent on Italian Creek. 

 

Spring Creek

In addition to supporting a healthy aquatic ecosystem, flows in Spring Creek support a robust riparian area. Below the reservoir is a braided wetland complex that funnels into Spring Creek. Numerous springs and seeps contribute to the creek at various locations below the reservoir.

 

Cement Creek 

The Cement Creek hydrology supports a unique fen that has rare water quality and is unique in the world. Protecting an instream flow on Cement Creek provides a small measure of protection for this unique ecosystem.