Blue Grama Award for Outstanding Achievement in Ecological Restoration
Crystal River Restoration at Riverfront Park Honored with Colorado Open Space Alliance Blue Grama Award
The Town of Carbondale is proud to announce that the Crystal River Restoration at Riverfront Park and Weaver Ditch Efficiency Project has been awarded the Blue Grama Award for Outstanding Achievement in Ecological Restoration by the Colorado Open Space Alliance (COSA). This recognition celebrates the project’s success in restoring ecological integrity, improving water infrastructure, and enhancing community access along the Crystal River.
About the Project
The restoration revitalized a severely impaired half-mile stretch of the Crystal River, addressing challenges such as instream flown, aquatic habitat, eroded banks, degraded habitat, and an outdated diversion structure. Key improvements include:
- Restoring over 2,800 feet of in-stream aquatic habitat with engineered riffles, pools, and boulders
- Stabilizing 900 feet of eroding banks with willow and alder plantings
- Replacing the aging push-up dam at the Weaver Ditch with a modern, self-regulating diversion structure to balance agricultural and ecological needs
- Creating ADA-accessible river access, new trails, interpretive signage, and outdoor learning spaces for public education and recreation
Partnership and Community Support
The project is the result of more than a decade of planning and extensive collaboration. In addition to the Town of Carbondale, River Restoration and DHM Design. Other valuable project partners included:
- Roaring Fork Conservancy
- Pitkin County Healthy Rivers and Streams
- Aspen Valley Land Trust
- Great Outdoors Colorado
- Colorado Watershed Assembly
- Fishing is Fun
- Bureau of Reclamation
- Colorado River District
- Colorado Water Conservation Board
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife
- Trout Unlimited
Together with dozens of landowners and community members, these partners contributed funding, technical expertise, and outreach to make the project possible. Collectively, over $1 million in funding was secured.
Looking Ahead
The Crystal River Restoration is now recognized as a regional model for sustainable river management, blending ecological resilience with community benefit. By protecting water rights, improving fish passage, and creating inclusive spaces for education and recreation, the project demonstrates how collaborative design can achieve lasting impact.
“The Crystal River Restoration is a clear example of how partnerships can achieve resilient, multi-benefit solutions,” said Jeremy Alinson, Associate Principal and Senior Natural Resource Planner at DHM Design. “We are proud to have worked alongside the Town and many dedicated partners to restore this river in a way that honors both community needs and ecological health.”