Click the link to read the article on the Vail Daily website (Scott N. Miller). Here’s an excerpt:
November 29, 2024
Deep Creek is one of Eagle County’s most remarkable places. Years-long efforts continue to preserve that western Eagle County landscape. A 15-mile stretch of Deep Creek nearly a decade ago was found suitable for preservation under the 1968 Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. That act aims to preserve streams that are free-flowing and have “outstanding, remarkable values.” Part of the criteria also includes lack of dams or reservoirs along the stream. Deep Creek would seem to meet those criteria, especially given that it has unique geological features in its canyon and unique plant life in some stretches…
But like any federal status, there’s a long to-do list to accomplish, and designation takes an act of Congress. The Deep Creek designation also has a lot of interested parties. The creek is in two counties — Garfield and Eagle. The portion of the creek eligible for designation is all on federal land, but authority for that land is split between the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service. The creek also sits in two congressional districts, Colorado’s 2nd and 3rd. The 3rd will be represented in January by Grand Junction Republican Jeff Hurd. Boulder Democrat Joe Neguse represents the 2nd. Smith is the Bureau’s liaison to a large stakeholder group named Deep Creek Wild and Scenic Stakeholder Group, which began meeting in 2017. The Colorado River District is part of that group, in part because the district hopes to augment the creek’s flow in the spring runoff season…
While many of us see Deep Creek from the overlook along Coffee Pot Road on the way to Deep Lake, the headwaters of the creek, there are trails to the canyon’s bottom. Smith has hiked in and noted Deep Creek has “completely natural” hydrology, with a “globally rare ecosystem.” In addition, there are caves among the canyon walls and other features for those willing to put in the work.
Colorado Water Conservation Board/Courtesy photo
