Montezuma County's Narraguinnep Reservoir is undergoing an emergency fish salvage announced by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), which came into effect on Wednesday, Aug. 13, after Montezuma Valley Irrigation Company initiated modifications to the dam that will lower water levels, impacting fish habitats.
According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, construction on the left abutment of Narraguinnep Dam is scheduled between Aug. 18 and early December, drawing down water levels to the point where CPW finds it unfeasible to maintain a viable fishery or relocate the fish, leading to authorization for the public to "optimize use of the fishery resource" yet cautionary advice was given for anglers to be wary of the muddy conditions that are expected as the lake drains. The salvage is expected to provide an opportunity for local anglers to keep fish without any bag or possession limits, but they must adhere to lawful angling methods and have a valid 2025 Colorado fishing license.
Concrete work and installation of new drains are also on the agenda for the dam's modification project, but these activities have led to a closure of the parking lot from Colorado State Highway 184, though County Road 23 remains an access point despite limited parking options available.
Fishing enthusiasts who frequent Narraguinnep Reservoir are advised that, although the boat ramp is closed hand-launched vessels are still permissible and that the draining process is set to take a month or two which will benefit local irrigators, and in the interim, anglers are directed to nearby alternatives including Joe Moore Reservoir State Wildlife Area, Puett Reservoir State Wildlife Area, among others, for continued fishing activities; once the dam repair is finished and the reservoir refilled, CPW plans to restock with fish in 2026.
