At a Jan. 12 meeting, the San Juan Water Conservancy District (SJWCD) Board of Directors approved a letter to the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) in support of a request by the Town of Pagosa Springs for funding to stabilize banks and restore water features damaged by the October 2025 flooding.
The letter indicates that the funding will support stabilization of the banks downstream of the 6th Street pedestrian bridge, which were damaged during the flooding, to prevent movement of the river channel and damage to nearby infrastructure.
It adds that the funding will also support excavation of sediment deposited during the flood in the “Donut hole” river feature near Pagosa Springs Town Hall, which will restore the feature’s previous recreational and angling value and improve aquatic habitat and floodplain function.
Pagosa Springs is seeking Water Supply Reserve Funds from the CWCB, according to the application documents.
SJWCD president Candace Jones opened discussion of the letter by explaining the goals of the grant application to the board.
She added that the grant application, in her understanding, would have to be considered by the CWCB’s Southwest Basin Roundtable prior to consideration by the CWCB.
The board then unanimously approved the letter of support with minor typographical changes suggested by SJWCD board member Rodney Proffitt.
The letter states, “The San Juan Water Conservancy District’s mission to promote the beneficial use, conservation, and protection of water resources aligns closely with the Town of Pagosa Springs’ commitment to restoring the river corridor in a manner that supports both ecological health and community needs.
“We recognize the urgency of completing this work and view the proposed project as a critical component of a broader flood recovery and watershed resilience strategy.”
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