The fish passage will give the endangered Colorado pikeminnow, razorback sucker, and bonytail access to critical habitat that has been blocked since the 4.3m high diversion dam was completed in 1917.
The Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program has identified this habitat as needed to establish self-sustaining populations of the endangered fishes in the Upper Colorado river basin. Fish passage will also benefit other native fish species.
Fish passages are already in place at the Redlands diversion dam on the Gunnison river and the Grand Valley Irrigation Company diversion dam on the Colorado river.
Kissner G. C is responsible for the construction of the fish passage. Construction is slated to begin September with completion scheduled for July 2004.
