The Gunnison is a major branch of the Colorado River system, and a new area of focus for Western Rivers Conservancy. With its free-flowing length and habitat for rare flora and fauna, the Gunnison is a thread of life flowing through desert and rocky mountain canyonlands.

In the past several months, WRC has made its first land purchases along the Gunnison from two private owners. The properties, totaling 214 acres, are among several inholdings within the Bureau of Land Management Bangs Canyon Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA), just outside of Grand Junction.

Conserving these lower reaches of the Gunnison River will help ensure the survival of four species of endangered warmwater fish: Colorado pikeminnow, humpback chub, bonytail chub and razorback sucker. Western Rivers Conservancy will convey these properties to the BLM to be included in the adjacent SRMA, protecting habitat for wildlife and rare desert plants. These aquisitions will also enhance recreational access to backcountry trails and beautiful red rock canyons.

Farther upstream on the Gunnison, we plan to purchase 396 acres of outstanding river frontage within the newly designated Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area. Threatened with gravel mining, this parcel is the BLM’s number one national priority for acquisition. The property includes several miles of Gunnison River frontage, and will extend the National Conservation Area to a public boating takeout at Highway 141.

Taken together, these land purchases will help conserve a critically important river landscape for endangered species, desert habitat and public enjoyment.

Above: Lower Gunnison River. Photo by Rich Durnan.