Lower Arkansas River Corridor Initiative Launches Long-Term Plan to Improve River Health and Resilience
Description: The Lower Arkansas River Corridor Initiative brings regional partners together to improve river health, address flooding and protect water resources in Southeast Colorado...
Lower Arkansas River Initiative Plans for Long-Term River Health and Regional Needs
SOUTHEAST COLORADO — A collaborative effort is bringing together water users, communities and regional partners to develop a long-term vision for the Lower Arkansas River, addressing challenges that affect agriculture, infrastructure, ecosystems and recreation.
The Lower Arkansas River Corridor Initiative, known as LARCI, focuses on the stretch of river downstream from its confluence with Fountain Creek to John Martin Reservoir. The project area extends through the river corridor near Pueblo, Fowler, Rocky Ford and La Junta.
According to an informational flyer from the initiative, the effort grew out of the February 2025 Arkansas River Seminar in La Junta, where attendees expressed interest in coordinated action to improve river health, function and resilience.
The Lower Arkansas River supports communities, farms, industry, water delivery systems, flood management, wildlife habitat and recreation. The initiative identifies several growing challenges, including sediment buildup in the river and irrigation ditches, invasive vegetation, changes in river flows and groundwater conditions, and water quality concerns.
Reduced river channel capacity, increased flood concerns and rising demands on river resources also underscore the need for coordinated planning across the basin.
The initiative remains in its early stages, with current work focused on listening to stakeholders, understanding existing river conditions and identifying shared priorities. Partners also aim to explore opportunities for improving river health and establish a framework to guide future projects, partnerships and funding.
The planned timeline includes three stages:
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2026–2027: Listen and Learn. Conduct stakeholder interviews and a situation assessment, launch a river health assessment and form advisory groups.
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2028–2029: Develop a Corridor Framework. Produce a baseline river assessment, identify opportunities, establish shared priorities and develop collaborative recommendations and a long-term strategy.
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2030 and beyond: Implementation and Stewardship. Secure project funding, implement selected projects, monitor progress and adapt efforts over time.
Convening partners represent irrigation, conservation, local government and water management interests. They include the Arkansas River Watershed Collaborative, Arkansas River Basin Roundtable, City of La Junta, Colorado Water Conservation Board, Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District and Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District, among other organizations.
The initiative seeks to build a lasting collaborative structure that can support river stewardship for decades.
Residents, water users and others interested in the effort can find updates and information about future events at arkcollaborative.org/larci.
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