Completed in December 2022, the Sunnyside Park Ditch Improvement Project modernized a failing half-mile section of the historic 1892 Sunnyside Park Ditch, which delivers irrigation water to 17 shareholders and supports about 1,000 acres of agriculture in Chaffee County. Identified as a key opportunity to strengthen relationships within the agricultural community and with broader watershed stakeholders, the project also serves as a model for future education, outreach, and water-efficiency planning across the Upper Arkansas Watershed.

Following a 2020 feasibility study funded by River Network and Chaffee Common Ground, the Upper Arkansas Conservation District worked with shareholders and NRCS to secure EQIP assistance and more than $600,000 in additional grant funding. Despite access limitations, supply chain delays, and difficult construction conditions between the Arkansas River and nearby housing development, partners successfully installed 2,700 feet of 48-inch pipe and stabilized the corridor, greatly reducing erosion, seepage, and long-term risk while improving irrigation efficiency and agricultural resilience.

The Upper Arkansas Conservation District hosts Small Acre Workshops designed to bridge the gap between small-acreage landowners and large-scale agricultural producers. These events provide practical education on land management, soil health, water conservation, and sustainable production practices. By fostering collaboration and shared learning, the workshops help build stronger connections within our agricultural community and promote stewardship across all sizes of operations.

In 2022 UACD, in partnership with the United States Forest Service, the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), and the Central Colorado Conservancy launched a pilot project with several local ranchers who graze public and private land spanning Chaffee, Lake, Park, and Fremont counties. Virtual fencing uses radio towers and programmable collars to manage grazing livestock.

Virtual fencing opens the door to innovative grazing management strategies that can be used to benefit soil, forest, and riparian health; mitigate wildfire risk; benefit wildlife; and reduce conflict between agriculture and recreation. The Chaffee Common Ground fund and the CDA S.T.A.R Soil Health program provided grant funds for the purchase of the first radio towers, which can be used by multiple ranchers at the same time. After a successful trial, more ranchers in the area will have the opportunity to take advantage of the technology for their grazing operations as the program expands. 

https://www.facebook.com/PSICCNF/videos/virtual-fence-program/1163029088085610/