Hubbard Creek is a once vibrant fishery that connects public and private lands to the North Fork of the Gunnison River on Colorado’s western slope. Its headwaters support native trout while the lower sections have at times supported healthy populations of native and non-native trout, as well as elk, deer and other wildlife. Relatively recent changes to water administration practices combined with inadequate water control infrastructure have dewatered sections of Main and Middle Hubbard, devastating trout populations and impacting other species that rely on those flows.

Trout Unlimited is working with land owners and holders of water rights to restore flows through the Hubbard Basin. Part of the solution will involve leasing water from the Overland Ditch and Reservoir Company, as well as installing adequate infrastructure in the Overland canal to allow for bypass of native flows and deliveries of lease water. With adequate funding, Trout Unlimited and partners will accomplish these primary tasks during the summer of 2019 while they continue to investigate market driven voluntary leasing solutions to sustain the watershed.

By completing leases and improving infrastructure, Trout Unlimited and partners will restore and drastically improve flows and habitat in approximately 10 miles of the upper section of the watershed. Through long-term lease or purchase of water Trout Unlimited hopes to sustain critical base flows for an addition 10 miles of Hubbard Creek.