MONTE VISTA — – Forest Service Road 41G, in Saguache County is undergoing construction and closures are expected. Culvert replacement near the Carnero Guard station in Saguache County will improve connectivity of fish habitat and passage for aquatic organisms. The Middle Fork of Carnero Creek is a tributary to Carnero Creek which contains Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout.

Construction work is occurring between mile post 10 to mile post 16 on the 41G road. During construction crews will need to close the 41G road were the Middle Fork of Carnero Creek crosses. This is anticipated to occur the week of October 21. Total construction could take up to three weeks to complete so visitors should expect delays. Exact dates of closures will be posted to the Rio Grande Facebook page and webpage as soon as they are known.

The work will replace an undersized culvert with an open arch style culvert. In addition to providing fish and aquatic organism passage, the project will allow for a more natural water flow pattern and increased sedimentation control.    

To learn more about the specific timing of closures or alternative routes, please contact the Saguache Ranger District Office at (719) 655-2547, or the Rio Grande Forest Supervisors Office at (719) 852-5941. Updates will also be shared on the Forest Facebook page at U.S. Forest Service – Rio Grande National Forest and on the Forest webpage at https://www.fs.usda.gov/riogrande.

This project is being completed using funds obtained through the Secure Rural Schools Act as well as funds from partner organization the Western Native Trout Initiative. To learn more about the Western Native Trout Initiative go to https://westernnativetrout.org. Information about the Secure Rural Schools Act can be found at https://doi.gov/ocl.secure-rural-schools.