Eagle River Fund Announces Trout Unlimited as Recipient of its Third Pilot Project Award
- eagleriverfund
- Jan 23
- 2 min read
The Eagle River Fund board of directors has reviewed recommendations by Gary Brooks, the Technical Advisory Comittee chair, and is pleased to award Trout Unlimited $20,000 in support of its project proposal to fund studies on a popular angling reach on the Lower Eagle River in Gypsum.
This proposed project is in a priority geography on the Eagle River mainstem between Eagle and Gypsum, is referenced in the Eagle River Community Water Plan (ERCWP), and will address several of the community-derived 'Values at Risk' described within the ERCWP
The project reach is described in application materials as "sandwiched between two unconstrained reaches, which are currently also being studied (by BLM below and CPW above). With the availability of public access points and proximity to Interstate 70, this reach is very popular with all kinds of recreational users, including anglers, boaters, paddle boarders, bird watchers, etc.
The design team selected for this project will study not only the river’s plan and profile but will also investigate factors affecting temperature, such as potential geothermal or groundwater influence, chemical treatments on I-70, agricultural practices, (and more). Anticipated outcomes of this phase of the project include prioritized sites with suggested treatments to improve overall river health and aquatic habitat.''
The award marks the final of three pilot projects to receive support from the Eagle River Fund, a locally driven initiative aimed at protecting waterways in the Eagle River Valley. The board of directors — chaired by Staunton Golding and including members Tom Gart, Michael Browning, and Scott Turnipseed — selected the project as an early example of the Fund's interest in increasing the scope and speed of projects in the Eagle River Watershed.
With projects and studies occurring both upstream and downstream of the Gypsum site, project managers wished to also evaluate the popular stretch sandwiched in-between. However, funding for project management, scoping, and other project components was a significant limiting factor, with the project coming in at $87,210. With the funding from the Eagle River Fund and several other sources committed and ready to be used as match funding, project leaders await award announcements from additional potential funders to get the green light on next steps.
To-date, the Eagle River Fund has supported two other pilot projects; the development of the Eagle River Community Water Plan, which sets out strategies to protect the river’s health, and has matched funding for a “Beyond Lawn” demonstration garden at Riverwalk in Edwards that will cut water use by more than 80%.
The fund's first competitive grant cycle is open February 2 through 5 PM February 27, 2026, and interested applicants are encouraged to reach out to Melanie Smith, ERF Fund Manager, at smith@eagleriverco.org to discuss the opportunity.
