The North Fork of the Gunnison Improvement Project focused on improving trout habitat, river function, and floodplain connectivity along approximately 1.2 miles of the North Fork of the Gunnison River downstream of Paonia Reservoir.

This reach of the North Fork has been shaped by decades of altered flow patterns, irrigation infrastructure, and historic channel modifications tied to agricultural development in the North Fork Valley. Existing habitat conditions included shallow runs and riffles, limited deep-water refuge, localized bank erosion, and reduced channel complexity.

FlyWater designed and built a process-based restoration approach rooted in site conditions, reference reaches, and long-term river function. The project combined hydrologic analysis, habitat engineering, permitting, and construction implementation to improve aquatic habitat while working within the unique hydrologic and operational constraints of the North Fork system.

Restoration work focused on increasing habitat diversity, channel complexity, and floodplain interaction. Treatments included the construction of new pool features, benthic grading to improve width-to-depth ratios, installation of large wood structures, targeted boulder placement for in-stream cover and roughness, point bar construction, willow-based bank stabilization, and localized floodplain connectivity improvements.

Large wood treatments were designed to provide trout cover, increase pool scour, improve channel roughness, and support native riparian vegetation development. Project features also targeted improved fish holding capacity, overwintering habitat, low-flow refuge, and long-term fishery resilience.

The project was designed to work with natural river processes while balancing habitat objectives, operational flow constraints, and practical construction considerations. The completed project created a more diverse and resilient reach of the North Fork of the Gunnison River with improved aquatic habitat, stronger riparian function, and long-term benefits for the fishery.