FROM THE ARCHIVES: Game Ramps Get Installed on the Hansen Feeder Canal

The Colorado-Big Thompson Project moves tens of billions of gallons of water each year from its Collections Systems in Grand County to the large reservoirs on the Front Range. Twenty-five years ago this month, crews from Northern Water helped to make that process safer for the region’s wildlife.

In partnership with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Northern Water crews installed “wildlife ramps” in the C-BT Project’s East Slope canals. These ramps provide an exit point for large animals that fall into the fast-moving water of the deep, steep-sided canals. Before the ramps were installed, elk and deer that entered the canals were often unable to escape due to the steep banks, frequently resulting in their deaths. The ramps now guide wildlife to a gentler slope where they can regain their footing and safely exit the water.

Since that time, Northern Water has added several "wildlife bridges" in key locations along the canal system that are designed to encourage wildlife to cross the canal using the bridge rather than trying to swim across the canal.

This collaborative effort has produced mutual benefits – enhancing protection for wildfire while also reducing maintenance for canal crews. The ramps remain in use to this day as a lasting example of effective partnership and design.