Time-lapse Construction of Florida Canal Diversion Structure

In 2024, Wright Water Engineers served as the water resources engineering consultant on rehabilitation of the Florida Canal Diversion Structure on the Florida River near Durango. This video is a time-lapse of the construction of the diversion structure. A time-lapse of the construction of the diversion structure is available at:    • Rehabilitation of the Florida Canal Divers...  .
The structure, owned by the Florida Consolidated Ditch Company (FCDC), was more than 100 years old, deteriorating, and in need of improvements. It had historically been a pushup dam that continually caused negative impacts to the river and surrounding riparian area. It was also a barrier to migrating native and sport fish.
The FCDC collaborated with the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), and the landowner on this multi-purpose project to retrofit and stabilize the historical structure to improve safety and aquatic habitat. The new stepped pool structure, made with a series of boulder sills and an engineered rock fill material, buttresses the historical diversion structure to maximize the potential for fish passage and habitat connectivity, and removes low head dam conditions.
Overall funding for the project came from the FCDC, CWCB, TNC, and the Southwestern Water Conservation District. The general contractor for the project is Perco Rock, Inc. WWE performed design and services during construction of the project for the FCDC.