Flowing Together for a Healthy Upper San Juan River
The Upper San Juan Watershed Enhancement Partnership is a community-led nonprofit. We collaborate to implement projects benefiting watershed function and health, river-related recreation, and irrigated agriculture in the Upper San Juan River Basin.
What We Do
The Upper San Juan WEP is a Colorado nonprofit corporation that is comprised of community-based stakeholders in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. The WEP’s current focus is developing and implementing cooperative, sustainable restoration projects that benefit multiple water uses within the Upper San Juan River Basin.
function and health
Designing and building projects that stabilize streambanks, improve habitat, and increase resilience to flood, drought, and wildfire.
river-related recreation
Convening local stakeholders to identify shared priorities and build projects that work for people and the river.
Irrigated agriculture
Guiding implementation of the Integrated Water Management Plan for the Upper San Juan River Basin.
function and health
Designing and building projects that stabilize streambanks, improve habitat, and increase resilience to flood, drought, and wildfire.
river-related recreation
Convening local stakeholders to identify shared priorities and build projects that work for people and the river.
Irrigated agriculture
Guiding implementation of the Integrated Water Management Plan for the Upper San Juan River Basin.
Why Watershed Restoration Matters
Watershed restoration is the process of improving a watershed’s ecological health. The Upper San Juan Watershed Enhancement Partnership (WEP) works to improve and protect the health of watersheds, which are areas of land where all water drains to a common body of water, such as a river, stream, ditch, or lake.
Why is this important?
Restoring watersheds can increase resiliency to wildfire, protect against flooding and drought by regulating water flow, sustain agricultural productivity, preserve biodiversity by maintaining habitats for plants and animals, support recreational opportunities, and improving water quality.
Learn How Our Projects Help the River
The Upper San Juan Watershed Enhancement Partnership welcomes the involvement of local community members, water experts, water users, and interested parties.
Featured Projects
Pagosa Gateway Project
The Pagosa Gateway Project restores a heavily used stretch of the San Juan River through Pagosa Springs to improve safety, access, and habitat. It stabilizes eroding banks, enhances fish and wildlife habitat, and creates a more resilient river corridor for boaters, anglers, and the community.
Yamaguchi South Project
The Yamaguchi South project focuses on river and riparian improvements near Yamaguchi Park, where community recreation and river health intersect. Targeted in‑stream and riverside enhancements will boost habitat, improve public access, and reduce erosion along this popular reach of the San Juan River.
Integrated Water Management Plan
The Integrated Water Management Plan is the community’s roadmap for balancing environmental, agricultural, municipal, and recreational water needs across the Upper San Juan Basin. It identifies priority river reaches and projects—like Pagosa Gateway and Yamaguchi South—to guide strategic restoration and investment over the coming years.
Learn more about the Integrated Water Management Plan.
Pagosa Gateway Project
The Pagosa Gateway Project restores a heavily used stretch of the San Juan River through Pagosa Springs to improve safety, access, and habitat. It stabilizes eroding banks, enhances fish and wildlife habitat, and creates a more resilient river corridor for boaters, anglers, and the community.
Support a local cause
Help restore and protect the rivers that sustain our community. Lend your financial support to the Upper San Juan Watershed Enhancement Partnership and be part of on‑the‑ground change.
Learn how you can get involved with WEP and make a lasting difference in the Upper San Juan watershed.