Support the Blue River Watershed!

Our Projects: Restoring and Protecting the Blue River Watershed

At Blue River Watershed Group (BRWG), we blend rigorous science, hands-on restoration, and community partnership to safeguard our local waters. Your support on Colorado Gives Day directly funds these critical initiatives across Summit County.

On-the-Ground River Restoration

Blue River Habitat Restoration Project (BRHRP)

• The Goal: Revive the Blue River's health below Dillon Dam and restore its legendary Gold Medal Waters status.

• Why It Matters: When the Blue River lost its Gold Medal designation in 2016, it signaled serious underlying threats to our riparian ecosystem. Developed from rigorous scientific findings, BRHRP directly targets these threats, restoring vital habitats, ensuring long-term ecological sustainability, and enhancing recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Swan River Restoration

• The Goal: Heal a watershed severely damaged by historic dredge mining and reconnect three river forks for the first time in over a century.

• Why It Matters: In collaboration with Summit County Open Space and partners, we successfully completed Reaches A & B in 2022, which are already thriving with returning wildlife and native plants. The next phase will reconnect the North, Middle, and South Forks of the Swan River, eliminate historical mining barriers, and restore natural streamflows lost for over 100 years.

Native Cutthroat Trout Preservation

• The Goal: Protect and expand pure native Cutthroat Trout populations on the North Fork of the Swan River.

• Why It Matters: Non-native species threaten the survival of Colorado’s native trout. This project builds modern exclusion structures to keep invasive fish out, restores self-sustaining habitats, and opens natural migration pathways so native Cutthroat can naturally recolonize their historical home.

Community Education and Local Engagement

• Summit County Outdoor Coalition: We lead collaborative efforts to manage growth impacts and safeguard ecosystem health in a changing climate.
• State of the River Presentations: Hosted in partnership with the Colorado River District, these essential annual community sessions connect stakeholders with top experts to discuss water allocation, seasonal snowpack and flow outlooks, and critical local water management issues.

We empower local volunteers and students to become active stewards of our water:

• Water Quality Monitoring: Tracking baseline chemistry, streamflow fluctuations, temperature, and salinity to guide smarter water allocation decisions.

• River Watch Partnership: Collecting monthly data on nutrient loads, heavy metals, pH, alkalinity, and hardness in partnership with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to contribute to Colorado's statewide water quality database.

• Community Events in Action: From our annual Blue River Clean-Up Festival, Water Year Wrap-Up Seminar, and Water in the West series to native planting days and invasive weed removals, we keep Summit County actively involved year-round!

How You Can Help

We can’t protect this watershed alone; community engagement is the heartbeat of our mission.

• Donate Today: Your Colorado Gives Day gift directly fuels field restoration, water testing supplies, and local youth education.

• Invite Us to Speak: Want BRWG to present at your event or business? Learn about local watershed challenges and practical steps you can take to protect our rivers.

• Get in Touch: Email us at info@blueriverwatershed.org to partner, volunteer, or schedule a presentation.