Conservation Initiatives
Native Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout Projects: ECTU has supported and funded various Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout projects throughout the Enchanted Circle area. River and stream project locations include the Costilla, Columbine Creek, Rio Hondo Tributaries, Rio San Antonio and others with over $40,000 of investments.
Cimarron River Trout Habitat Project: Cimarron River Trout Habitat Improvement Project was an incredibly important, 3 phase project on the ~9 miles of the Cimarron River flowing through Cimarron Canyon State Park and Colin Neblett Wildlife Area. ECTU joined with Cimarron Watershed Alliance (CWA) on Phase 2 and 3 to improve critical rainbow and brown trout habitat. ECTU contributed ~$24,000 partnering with CWA, NM Department of Game and Fish, NM Environment Department River Stewardship Program, Oxbow Ecological Engineering and KC-MC Services. This is longest and most impactful trout habitat project ECTU has been directly involved with.
Red River Trout Project and Fishing Park: ECTU started with the idea to improve trout habitat on the Lower Red River. ECTU took the idea and $5,000 to New Mexico Game and Fish, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, Questa Economic Development, Truchas Chapter Trout Unlimited and others to leverage $800,000 for the Red River Trout Project. The end result was improved trout habitat around the Red River Fish Hatchery immediately south of Eagle Rock Lake.
Cimarron Gravel Pits Project: This ECTU project focuses on two aspects related to the three gravel pit ponds in the Cimarron Canyon State Park.
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Adding mobility impaired angler access trails along the gravel pit ponds and along a stretch of Cimarron River.
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Improving the ponds to include better trout habitat.
As of December 2023, ECTU has received the go ahead from New Mexico Game and Fish and Cimarron Canyon State Park to proceed with preliminary design plans. Primary project partners include ECTU, Friends of the Cimarron Canyon State Park, New Mexico Game and Fish, New Mexico State Parks.
Conservation by the numbers ...
10
10 plus partners engaged in restoration projects throughout northern New Mexico.
15
Nearly 15 miles of trout river miles and habitat enhanced and supported.
$70,000
More than $70,000 of ECTU investments in river and stream restoration projects.