Rio Blanco (Colorado) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rio Blanco |
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Conejos County, Colorado United States 37°18′43″N 106°40′06″W / 37.31194°N 106.66833°W |
| River mouth | Confluence with San Juan 6,608 ft (2,014 m) 37°07′16″N 107°02′37″W / 37.12111°N 107.04361°W |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | San Juan—Colorado |
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The Rio Blanco is a stream in southern Colorado, United States. It's like a smaller river that flows into a bigger one, which is called the San Juan River.
This stream starts high up in the San Juan Mountains. It then travels about 30 miles (48 km) through a big forest called the San Juan National Forest and some private lands. Finally, it joins the San Juan River in Archuleta County, Colorado.
Colorado says the Rio Blanco is a great place for aquatic life, especially coldwater fish. It's also good for recreation, like swimming or fishing. The river helps supply water and is used for farming. You can find native cutthroat trout and rainbow trout here, which were brought to the river.
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Helping the Rio Blanco River
Why the River Needed Help
A big project called the San Juan–Chama Diversion Project started in 1971. This project took water from the Rio Blanco at a place called the Blanco Diversion Dam. Over time, this meant less water flowed in the river.
Less water meant that the homes for fish and other water creatures (their aquatic habitat) were damaged. By 1998, a 12-mile part of the lower Rio Blanco was listed as "impaired." This meant the water wasn't healthy enough to support the fish and other life because of too much sediment, like dirt and sand.
How People Helped the River
Local people, along with many state and federal groups, worked together to fix the river. They started a "grass roots" project, meaning it began with ordinary people. Their goal was to make the river channel healthy again.
They wanted the river to work well physically and biologically, and to have good water quality. Their hard work paid off! By 2008, Colorado removed the Rio Blanco from the list of impaired waters. This included the 12-mile section that was once in trouble.
Fishing in the Rio Blanco
Where to Fish and What You'll Catch
Parts of the Rio Blanco are about 10 to 20 feet (3.0 to 6.1 m) wide. You can fish along the main river and its smaller side creeks, like Rito Blanco. Most of the trout you might catch are usually between 7-to-12-inch (180 to 300 mm) long.
Making the River Better for Fish
About 3 miles (4.8 km) of the river were changed by a water expert named Dave Rosgen. Before, this part of the river was wide and shallow. Rosgen's plan made it deeper, which is much better for different kinds of trout.
He placed large rocks and old trees along the river banks. These helped guide the water into a clearer, deeper channel. He also built a special tube to move away gravel and sand. This tube lets water flow through, but it sends the extra sediment to a holding area. This area is regularly emptied, and the sand and gravel can be used elsewhere.
This big renovation project cost about $1 million. The three-mile stretch that was improved can be fished by guests staying at El Rancho Pinoso, which is a private ranch near the river.
Images for kids
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The river at the Blanco Diversion Dam, in late summer with low flow.
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Downstream of the dam, at the start of the lower Blanco.
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The tributary Rito Blanco, seen from Blanco Basin Road near US highway 84.
