Del Norte Riverwalk improvements await approval
DEL NORTE- Over the course of the past several months, many local organizations have been working together to get the preliminary plans for the expansion of the Del Norte Riverwalk approved by the Army Corps of Engineers.
According to a brief presentation by Marty Asplin to the Rio Grande Board of County Commissioners, the plans should be approved any day now and work would begin as soon as early spring.
This project is to provide safe access to the Rio Grande by the public and to provide a small recreational feature. It is being undertaken with the intent of improving the river health and corridor while having no consumptive use or negative impact on the Rio Grande.
The partners are The Rio Grande Headwaters Restoration Project, Trout Unlimited, Town of Del Norte, Del Norte Trails Organization and Riverbend Engineering. The bulk of the work will take place on the north side of the river inside the town limits.
The land work will be comprised of an access road, parking area and boat ramp. There were extensive environmental studies done on the flood plain, the vegetation contained in the riparian habitat, and the bird and wildlife species that frequent this location. The river work will involve bank restoration and reinforcement on both sides, creation of new and improved fish habitat, and a play wave feature.
Improving the river channel was a constant driver of the decision making.
All the plans, description of work to be performed, and environmental work were submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) last year in a 404 Permit request. The public comment period on the permit ended over a month ago, and the comments and questions produced have all been addressed by the USACE and/or Riverbend Engineering.
“The Town is hopeful that the permit will be issued this summer,” Asplin said. “There will be no work done that might disrupt or interfere with the down-stream water owners which leaves winter and early spring available for construction. We are excited about people having access and being able to have physical contact with the Rio Grande, which is the lifeblood of the San Luis Valley.”
Conversations pertaining to the project began last year when Del Norte City officials held a public meeting to gain input from residents and land owners around the area. The existing path weaves through a wilderness area along the banks of the Rio Grande but ends after a short distance because of private property. Many residents spoke up, stating that they wanted more access to the river and that by expanding the area available, it would bring more tourism to town.
Because the plans included changes to the natural infrastructure of the river, it had to be submitted to the USACE for approval before work could begin.
“During the public comment period, we only received a few concerns, most of which were directly answered by the Army Corps of Engineers,” Asplin said. “I think our chances of having it approved are pretty good.”
Commissioners said they received a grant that they used to purchase rock for the project two years ago when it first began to take hold and that they would be happy to give access to the material when the time came. There would be berms built on either side of the river with rock that would create more natural fish habitat while also creating areas where people can access the river with small boats, kayaks and paddle boards.
“This is an opportunity to create a one of a kind structural outdoor recreational area in the Valley,” Asplin said. “It now all depends on time and access to the area to begin the process.”
The first phase of the project will be to create a parking area and begin work on an access road that would lead to a new boat ramp on the north side of the river. Hopes are to expand the walking area in the future.