• BLM acquires Mineral Point Ditch water rights for restoration.
• Water will return to Burrows Creek, aiding environmental cleanup.
• The project supports Superfund remediation at Boston Mine.
• Funding came from federal programs and Trout Unlimited.
• Riparian and aquatic habitats will benefit from improved flow.

Wednesday, April 23, 2025 — In a significant move to enhance environmental restoration in Colorado’s high country, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced on April 16, 2025, that it has acquired water rights associated with the Mineral Point Ditch. This acquisition, completed in partnership with Trout Unlimited, will allow water to be returned to Burrows Creek—an important step toward restoring natural hydrology in the Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund Site near Silverton.

For over a century, the Mineral Point Ditch diverted water from the Animas River watershed to the Uncompahgre River Basin, altering the natural flow through Burrows Creek. Now, by securing control of these water rights, BLM can direct that water back to its original course through the Superfund site.

“The Mineral Point Ditch project restores natural water flows, improving a popular recreation area and addressing the remediation of historic mines,” said BLM Colorado State Director Doug Vilsack. “This acquisition is a critical step toward enhancing the environmental and recreational value of this area.”

According to the BLM, returning flow to Burrows Creek will rejuvenate riparian, wetland, and in-channel habitats. These ecosystems support aquatic insects and other wildlife while playing a crucial role in flushing heavy metals from the creek bed—metals that accumulated over decades of mining activity.

The effort is directly tied to cleanup work at the historic Boston Mine site. The BLM has already decommissioned the Mineral Point Ditch to support the next phase of remediation. Funding for the project came from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund and the agency’s Abandoned Mine Lands program, alongside contributions from Trout Unlimited and its local Five Rivers chapter.

This acquisition is part of a broader BLM initiative to address legacy pollution in the Bonita Peak area, one of the nation’s designated Superfund sites. By restoring more natural water flows, the agency aims to improve water quality and facilitate long-term recovery of the damaged watershed.

Image via BLM press release:  “The purchase of Mineral Point Ditch water rights will restore natural flows to Burrows Creek (pictured), benefitting the riparian ecosystem and facilitating remediation of heavy metal contamination.”

Related posts:

Utah moves to block Wall Street from public lands Agencies to secure Rio Grande water amid El Vado Dam repairs Arizona seeks teams to bring new water supplies Judge blocks Denver Water’s Gross Reservoir expansion project