The Upper San Juan Watershed Enhancement Partnership (WEP) invites the community to a free special premiere of “Reviving Our River: The Pagosa Gateway Project,” a short documentary celebrating a significant river restoration effort completed on the Upper San Juan River through Pagosa Springs.
The premiere will be held on Aug. 19 at the Liberty Theatre. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m., the film begins promptly at 7 p.m., and attendees are invited to stay afterward for an interactive question-and-answer session with members of the Pagosa Gateway Project team, including the engineer, stream management specialists, and WEP project committee members who helped bring the vision to life.
The film tells the remarkable story of the Pagosa Gateway Project, from years of planning and collaboration to construction, unexpected challenges and, ultimately, success. Through stunning aerial footage by filmmaker Christi Bode, interviews and behind-the-scenes perspectives, viewers will experience how an ambitious community vision became a reality.
The Pagosa Gateway Project restored approximately 2 miles of the San Juan River upstream of downtown Pagosa Springs, improving aquatic habitat, reducing erosion, increasing river resilience, enhancing recreation and helping protect properties from future flood damage.
The project was completed through an unprecedented collaboration among 18 private and public landowners, local organizations, engineers, contractors, funding partners, and volunteers who shared a common goal of improving one of Pagosa’s greatest natural resources.
The project faced an extraordinary challenge during construction when historic floodwaters swept through the work area, reshaping the river channel and forcing the team to reevaluate completed work, redesign portions of the project and adapt to rapidly changing conditions. Rather than ending or postponing the effort, the setback demonstrated the resilience, creativity and commitment of the WEP project team. The film captures these dramatic moments while highlighting the science and teamwork required to restore a living river.
The documentary also introduces audiences to the WEP, the nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that led the project.
Founded to implement priority watershed projects throughout the Upper San Juan River Basin, the WEP works to improve watershed health, strengthen agricultural water infrastructure and enhance river-related recreation.
As the first nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization in Archuleta County dedicated exclusively to watershed project implementation, the WEP brings together landowners, agencies, nonprofits, local governments, businesses and community members to turn years of planning into on-the-ground action.
“Our rivers are the lifeblood of our communities,” said WEP Contractor Coordinator Danyelle Leentjes. “They provide drinking water, support agriculture, sustain fish and wildlife, fuel recreation and tourism, and help define the character of Southwest Colorado. As we face increasing pressures from drought, flooding, catastrophic wildfires, aging infrastructure and the growing impacts of climate change, investing in watershed restoration is no longer optional — it is essential.”
Healthy watersheds provide cleaner water, reduce flood risks, improve drought resilience, support local economies and create healthier ecosystems for future generations. Restoration projects like the Pagosa Gateway Project demonstrate that communities can proactively address these challenges through collaboration rather than waiting until problems become crises.
The premiere is intended not only to celebrate the completion of an important community project, but also to inspire residents to learn more about the rivers and watersheds that sustain life throughout the Upper San Juan Basin.
Following the screening, audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions directly to the project team during a live panel discussion covering project design, construction, ecological benefits, lessons learned and future watershed restoration efforts planned throughout the region.
Seating is limited. Community members of all ages are encouraged to reserve their free seats on Liberty Theatre’s website and discover how local partnerships are helping restore rivers, protect water resources and strengthen the future of the Upper San Juan watershed.
For more information about the WEP and how you can support the Pagosa Springs-based organization, visit UpperSanJuanWEP.com. While grant funding is available for project work performed by the WEP, it does not cover the operating costs of the organization. The WEP relies heavily on donations.
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