Big Thompson Watershed Forum- Mapping and Analysis
Background: The Big Thompson Watershed Management Plan Development project will unify assessment and protection activities in the Big Thompson basin. From a list of 72 water quality issues, identified from water quality monitoring data, the Big Thompson Watershed Forum has identified two priorities for water quality improvement. Those priority issues are nutrient abatement and sediment control. The management plan will take a holistic approach, but it will place special emphasis on the two priority issues.
The three phases in completing the plan are:
- Meet with stakeholders to identify priority nutrient and sediment concerns for all watershed segments;
- Determine baseline conditions for priority stream segments and subwatersheds by coordinating existing water quality data, GIS data, land use, and facility information; and
- Identify primary nutrient "hot spots" by evaluating existing data.
The Forum will collect GIS data on sanitation district and wastewater service boundaries and develop spatial data on the location and extent of impervious surface cover and the current extent of sanitation district and municipal wastewater service boundaries. The end result of the project will be improved understanding of specific conditions related to water quality, which will be a valuable tool in storm water planning and predicting the areas within the watershed that are most vulnerable to water quality degradation and locating sources of contamination.
Coalition for the Upper South Platte- Hayman Fire Rehabilitation
Objectives:
The grant will match federal funding for fire rehabilitation and forest restoration in the Hayman burn area. Work includes efforts to:
- Mitigate soil erosion
- Improve wildlife habitat and streambank restoration
- Facilitate community fire planning/defensible space implementation
- Assist with implementation of weed control
- Educational initiatives designed to improve public understanding of fire, forest health, watershed concepts, and nonpoint source pollution control.
The grant will be used as a match for federal funding for fire rehab and green forest restoration on the Hayman burn area. Work includes efforts to mitigate soil erosion from burned lands; improve wildlife habitat and stream bank restoration through planting willows, trees, and other vegetation; facilitate community fire planning/defensible space implementation; assist with implementation of weed control; and undertaking educational initiatives designed to improve public understanding of fire, forest health, watershed concepts, and nonpoint source pollution control.
Eagle River Watershed Council- Eagle River Inventory and Assessment
The plan is to implement a recommended action identified in Eagle River Watershed Plan (1996) with the goal of developing a community supported, science based inventory and assessment of approximately 110 river miles that identifies and prioritizes segments of the River riparian corridor for restoration and/or preservation.
James Creek Watershed Initiative- James Creek Restoration Project, Phase II
Overview: This Project will engage the community, stakeholders and partners in the reclamation of James Creek's riparian corridor. This Phase II project will include the implementation of Stream Corridor Restoration Plan using proven, engineered solutions to reduce sediment loading into James Creek and improve the function of the riparian corridor.
Objectives:
- Engage community, stakeholders, and partners in reclamation of riparian corridor
- Implement Stream Corridor Restoration Plan using Best Management Practice (BMP)
- Reduce sediment loading using BMPs.
- Improve habitat effectiveness for aquatic life.
- Stabilize stream banks to prevent erosion.
Project goals include reducing sediment loading into James Creek through the use of BMPs; improving habitat effectiveness for aquatic life in the stream and wildlife along the riparian corridor; and stabilizing stream banks to prevent further erosion and downstream flooding.
North Fork River Improvement Association- Monitor Ditch Rehabilitation
Overview: Reconstruction of an irrigation ditch diversion on the North Fork Gunnison River to eliminate annual channel disruption by bulldozers, which is a common practice in the area. This project will improve water conservation and delivery efficiency while delivering full entitlement of water. The project will also increase stream flows, allow for fish migration and safe passage of recreational boats, and enhance aquatic habitat.
Objectives:
Reconstruction of an irrigation ditch diversion on the North Fork Gunnison River which will allow:
- Increase stream flows
- Fish migration
- Safe passage of recreational boats
- Enhance aquatic habitat
Roaring Fork Conservancy- Roaring Fork Watershed Stream Flow Survey
The goal is to conduct a full survey of the watershed's:
- Water diversions and storage facilities.
- Water rights.
- Stream flow issues and water shortages of streams and rivers.
- Current instream flow protections.
- Influence of out-of-basin calls.
- Opportunities for increasing streamflows.
- Develop integrated GIS database for collaboration with other agencies on watershed issues.
Roaring Fork Watershed Stream Flow Survey Project will conduct a full survey of the watershed's water diversions and storage facilities, water rights, stream flow issues and water shortages of streams and rivers, current instream flow protections, influence of out-of-basin calls, and opportunities for increasing stream flows. The project's goal is to develop an integrated GIS database tool that will greatly improve the ability of the Conservancy, in collaboration with local and regional interests and governmental agencies, to respond to instream flow issues, to proactively specify and pursue legal and physical approaches for achieving sustainable stream flows, and to protect and enhance riparian and aquatic habitat.
