Hat Creek – Hat Creek Ditch

Background

Vail Associates acquired property along Hat Creek which was conveyed to the Forest Service. Upon request from the Forest Service, Hat Creek water rights were conveyed to Colorado Water Trust to support instream flows and native cutthroat trout habitat on the river.

Tool

Permanent Projects

Irrigation rights on the creek were changed to Instream Flow use, leaving the only remaining water use on Hat Creek as an Instream Flow, permanently protecting the water in the creek for fish and wildlife.

Partners

Colorado Water Conservation Board, Vail Associates, United States Forest Service, Western Land Group, Town of Eagle

Impact

Through 2023, the Hat Creek Ditch Project has restored over

1.9
Billion gallons

6365
Acre-feet of water to Hat Creek and East Brush Creek.

Timeline

Implemented in 2012, this project permanently restores water to Hat Creek.