McCormick Ditch Restoration Project

Water diverted from Coal Creek at the McCormick Ditch provides irrigation water for the Town’s parks and Verzuh Ranch.

PROJECT:
In 2013, CCWC partnered with HCCA and the Town of Crested Butte to improve and restore the McCormick Ditch on Coal Creek.

DESIGN: 
Crane Associates designed a new diversion structure made of rocks that would allow some water to bypass the headgate.

FUNDING: 
Funding was provided by CCWC, the UGRWCD, and the Gunnison Basin Roundtable.

Lacy Construction donated some machinery and the rocks were purchased from United Companies.

OUTCOMES: 
The McCormick Ditch Restoration Project can be described as a monumental success for CCWC, HCCA, the community of Crested Butte, and the environmental integrity of Coal Creek.

This project achieved:
  • Cost savings from elimination of need for yearly maintenance.
  • Efficient capture of water for diversion and delivery into McCormick Ditch.
  • Reduction in sediment mobilization and disturbance to the Creek bed.
  • Visual advantages of a natural looking structure within Town limits.
  • Aquatic connectivity for the lower segment of Coal Creek to its confluence with the Slate River.


The final cost of the project came in well under budget by approximately $48,000.00; the final cost of the project was $15,648.33 compared to the original estimate of $63,841.00.
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McCormick Ditch Headgate before re-design
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McCormick Ditch Headgate during re-design implementation
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McCormick Ditch Headgate after re-design