Five state and federal partners have committed up to 2,500 acre-feet — 814.6 million gallons — of Fryingpan-Arkansas Project water to the Upper Arkansas River from August through November 2026 to protect fisheries and recreation during one of Colorado's most severe drought years on record.

The Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District approved the cooperative effort August 6, with water releases beginning as early as August 7. Water will flow from Twin Lakes and terminate at Pueblo Reservoir.

Partners in the effort include the Bureau of Reclamation, Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District, Colorado Water Conservation Board, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and Colorado Water Trust. Colorado Water Trust, with financial support from Niagara Cares, will serve as primary project sponsor. The organization will contribute $100,000 toward the effort, while the Colorado Water Conservation Board and Colorado Parks and Wildlife will contribute $60,000 and $50,000, respectively.

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"The Southeastern District strives to use Project water in the Arkansas River basin as wisely as possible," said Leann Noga, Executive Director of Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District. "In a challenging drought year such as this, keeping water in the river and working collaboratively is a top priority."

The additional streamflow is intended to moderate water temperatures, improve access to thermal refuge habitat, and reduce stress on fish during peak summer months. The effort will support brown trout and rainbow trout populations that naturally reproduce in the Arkansas River, one of Colorado's Gold Medal Waters — a designation reserved for public rivers and lakes that consistently provide exceptional trout fishing.

"We are experiencing unprecedented low flows and high water temperatures on the Upper Arkansas River this year and it's crucial to find ways to help protect the river for its fishery and recreational value," said Alex Townsend, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Upper Arkansas River Basin Aquatic Biologist. "The increase in flows will help keep important forage and refuge habitat available for fish and invertebrates in the river leading up to brown trout spawn timing this fall."

"Drought moves faster than water policy usually does. The District proposed a project in late July, and water will be in the river in early August," said Blake Mamich, Programs Director at the Colorado Water Trust. "That is about as fast as a multi-party water agreement comes together in Colorado, and it happened because four organizations decided the river could not wait for the usual timeline."

"The drought conditions we're seeing this year call for creative partnerships and innovative solutions," said Lauren Ris, Colorado Water Conservation Board Director. "This effort demonstrates what's possible when water users, conservation organizations, and state partners come together to respond quickly to emerging needs."

Partners note that mobilizing the water early will result in evaporation and transit losses, which will be offset by project partner contributions. The Arkansas River supports agriculture, communities, recreation, and tourism across southeastern Colorado.