From the Delta County Independent (Hank Lohmeyer):
The benefits from the Hartland Dam reconstruction project are several, and important to sportsmen, recreationalists, irrigators, and to environmentalists concerned about native fish habitat.
According to a narrative of the project distributed during the dedication, “The primary purpose of the project was to provide fish passage, but other benefits were considered when designing the project. The Hartland Diversion Dam was an extreme safety hazard to boaters. Addressing those safety issues provided a continuous corridor for boaters and greatly increased safe access to recreation on the Gunnison River.” The dam had been the site of river rafter deaths over the years.
More Hartland Dam coverage here.