Rio Blanco (Colorado)

Rio Blanco is a stream that is tributary of the San Juan River in southern Colorado, United States.[1] The stream originates in the San Juan Mountains and flows for 30 miles (48 km) through the San Juan National Forest and private lands to its confluence with the San Juan River in Archuleta County, Colorado. Colorado classifies the Rio Blanco as an Aquatic Life Coldwater Class 1/Recreation Class 1 waterway supporting water supply and agricultural uses.[2] The river also features native cutthroat trout and introduced rainbow trout fishing.[3][4]

Not to be confused with White River (Green River tributary).
Rio Blanco
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationConejos County, Colorado
United States
 • coordinates37°18′43″N 106°40′06″W
Mouth 
 • location
Confluence with San Juan
 • coordinates
37°07′16″N 107°02′37″W
 • elevation
6,608 ft (2,014 m)
Basin features
ProgressionSan Juan—Colorado
Tributaries 
 • leftBenson Creek, Rito Blanco
 • rightSummit Creek, Hondo Creek, Oil Creek, Squaretop Creek

Restoration project
The river at the Blanco Diversion Dam, in late summer with low flow
Downstream of the dam, at the start of the lower Blanco

The San Juan–Chama Diversion Project, which was started in 1971, diverted water from the river at the Blanco Diversion Dam and eventually led to reduced water flow and a loss of aquatic habitat in the Rio Blanco. In 1998, Colorado included a 12-mile reach of the lower Rio Blanco on its list of impaired waters for failure to support its aquatic life due to sediment. A grass roots project organized by the residents aided by numerous local statewide and federal agencies to restore the stream channel to match the altered flow regime, resulted in the river's physical and biological function and water quality being improved. In 2008, Colorado removed the Rio Blanco, including the 12-miles of the lower reach, from the state's list of impaired waters.[2]

Fishing
The tributary Rito Blanco, from Blanco Basin Road near US highway 84

Parts of the river range from 10 to 20 feet (3.0 to 6.1 m) wide, and fishing is permitted along the side creeks including Rito Blanco. Most of the trout are in the 7-to-12-inch (180 to 300 mm) range.[5]

There are 3 miles (4.8 km) of the river that were transformed by hydrologist Dave Rosgen, from being wide and shallow to a deep flow that now supports a variety of trout. Rosgen's plan included placing boulders and old trees on the river banks to direct the waters toward a channel that would be more defined. He also constructed a tube to divert away the gravel and sand, which allows water to flow through, but the sediment is routed to a holding area which is regularly emptied and used elsewhere. Cost of the renovation was about $1 million. The three-mile stretch may be fished by guests of El Rancho Pinoso, a privately owned ranch near the river.[3][6]

See also

References
  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Rio Blanco
  2. "Colorado: Lower Rio Blanco Watershed". US Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  3. Santella, Chris (23 Dec 2010). "The Man Who Brought Trout to a Valley of Gravel". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 Oct 2014.
  4. Scott Taylor (30 Apr 2010). "Fishing the Pagosa Springs Area (Pagosa Springs - Freshwater Fishing Report)". Southwest Colorado: Cyber Angler. Retrieved 15 Oct 2014. Rio Blanco: This is probably the most under fished river in our area, this river is a true adventure every time.
  5. "Colorado Rivers Information (Blanco)". Colorado Mountain Club.
  6. "Fly Fishing". El Rancho Pinoso.
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