Blue River Restoration Project

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Rolf Norman
5 years ago
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1 Blue River Restoration Project

2 Blue River Restoration Project BUI LDI NG BRI DGES BETWEEN COMMUNI TI ES I N COOPERATI ON WI TH THE NATI ONAL FOREST FOUNDATI ON The Blue River Restoration project is an excellent example of a creative, entrepreneurial, proactive approach to the issue of Denver Water s plans to divert more water from the Blue River. The outstanding voluntary public/private partnership helped preserve the Blue River as a premier Gold Medal stream. This project is an example of a market-based solution to an environmental challenge

5 Blue River Restoration Project BUI LDI NG BRI DGES BETWEEN COMMUNI TI ES I N COOPERATI ON WI TH THE NATI ONAL FOREST FOUNDATI ON Building Bridges Project Umbrella Memorandum of Understanding Eight site-specific projects including the Blue River Restoration Project Eleven objectives includes access to river, boat put-ins, bike paths, water quality-quantity, noxious weeds, view preservation, riparian improvements. Phone: Northwest Colorado Council of Governments Foundation Fax: P.O. Box Warren Avenue Silverthorne, CO 80498

6 Blue River Restoration Project BUI LDI NG BRI DGES BETWEEN COMMUNI TI ES I N COOPERATI ON WI TH THE NATI ONAL FOREST FOUNDATI ON Multi-jurisdictional effort 1. Town of Silverthorne 2. White River National Forest Forest Service 3. Northwest Colorado Council of Governments 4. Summit County 5. Colorado Division of Wildlife 6. Trout Unlimited Gore Range Chapter 7. Denver Water Board Phone: Northwest Colorado Council of Governments Foundation Fax: P.O. Box Warren Avenue Silverthorne, CO 80498

7 Blue River Restoration Project BUI LDI NG BRI DGES BETWEEN COMMUNI TI ES I N COOPERATI ON WI TH THE NATI ONAL FOREST FOUNDATI ON Public and Private Cooperation 1. Fundraising by non-governmental partners 2. Trout Unlimited a) Organized fly shops countywide b) Volunteers used to recruit silent auction donations c) Tapped national organizations for donations d) Reviewed design plan and request for proposals 3. Town of Silverthorne a) Managed design/build and bidding process b) Provided Pavilion for Blue River Festival c) Coordinated process d) Press contacts and advertising expertise Phone: Northwest Colorado Council of Governments Foundation Fax: P.O. Box Warren Avenue Silverthorne, CO 80498

8 Blue River Restoration Project BUI LDI NG BRI DGES BETWEEN COMMUNI TI ES I N COOPERATI ON WI TH THE NATI ONAL FOREST FOUNDATI ON Public and Private Cooperation 4. NWCCOG a) Application to National Forest Foundation for grant b) Foundation has not for profit status c) Staff coordination with Building Bridges project d) Forest Service connections 5. Division of Wildlife a) Scientific expertise shocking counts, whirling disease b) Stocking of fish Phone: Northwest Colorado Council of Governments Foundation Fax: P.O. Box Warren Avenue Silverthorne, CO 80498

9 Blue River Restoration Project BUI LDI NG BRI DGES BETWEEN COMMUNI TI ES I N COOPERATI ON WI TH THE NATI ONAL FOREST FOUNDATI ON Purpose of BRRP 1. Manage recreational access to the Blue River; and 2. Maintain the Gold Medal Trout Fishing status. 3. Maintain the Blue River as Silverthorne s Jewel, the thing that sets Silverthorne apart from the rest of Summit County. Phone: Northwest Colorado Council of Governments Foundation Fax: P.O. Box Warren Avenue Silverthorne, CO 80498

10 Blue River Restoration Project BUI LDI NG BRI DGES BETWEEN COMMUNI TI ES I N COOPERATI ON WI TH THE NATI ONAL FOREST FOUNDATI ON What was it? 1. Reconstruction of.6 miles of riverbed in Gold Medal Trout stream Blue River 2. Includes bank stabilization, erosion control, re-vegetation and creating a river channel that accommodates lower flows. 3. Construction of a series of 8 riffle, run, pool sections to create a healthy river. 4. Result is a more productive environment and improved trout habitat. Phone: Northwest Colorado Council of Governments Foundation Fax: P.O. Box Warren Avenue Silverthorne, CO 80498

11 Blue River Restoration Project BUI LDI NG BRI DGES BETWEEN COMMUNI TI ES I N COOPERATI ON WI TH THE NATI ONAL FOREST FOUNDATI ON Why 1. The Blue River is a high-quality, destination section of Gold Medal Trout stream that is highly visible and accessible from I The river is wide and shallow, reflective of higher water flows in the past. 3. Existing and future water flow predictions are for much lower amounts of water, primarily due to Front Range demand. 4. The BRRP will allow the quality fishing experience to continue under low flow conditions. Phone: Northwest Colorado Council of Governments Foundation Fax: P.O. Box Warren Avenue Silverthorne, CO 80498

12 Channel Restoration Pre Project Post Restoration Prior to the project, the channel was wide and relatively straight resulting in limited flow depth. A meandering shape was created during the restoration, increasing flow depths and habitat diversity in a natural manner.

14 Pre and Post Project Prior to the project the channel was up to 135 feet wide in areas. During extended periods of low releases from the dam, the depth of water in these areas resulted in limited habitat. By reducing the width of the channel, flow depths and velocities were increased to the level preferred by trout and deep over-wintering pools were established.

15 Taken from bridge before project February 2003

16 Taken from Bridge post project Riffle/pool/glide sequences created

17 Straight Creek sediment June 2003 just prior to construction

18 Reforming channel below St. Creek Creating end of riffle section

19 Near completion from St. Creek Narrower, deeper channel Riffles/pools/glides

20 Technology and Environment

21 Technology and Environment

22 Overview in Progress

23 Blue River Restoration Project BUI LDI NG BRI DGES BETWEEN COMMUNI TI ES I N COOPERATI ON WI TH THE NATI ONAL FOREST FOUNDATI ON Economic Impact World Class Skiing in the Winter Fishing, hiking, wildlife and outdoor activities in summer, spring and fall 915,000 anglers in Colorado (US Fish and Wildlife) CO anglers spend $645 million Food and lodging accounts for 1/3 People fish destination rivers and high quality areas Phone: Northwest Colorado Council of Governments Foundation Fax: P.O. Box Warren Avenue Silverthorne, CO 80498

25 Blue River Restoration Project BUI LDI NG BRI DGES BETWEEN COMMUNI TI ES I N COOPERATI ON WI TH THE NATI ONAL FOREST FOUNDATI ON Economic Impact Only 12 Gold Medal Waters in state Proximity to Denver, DIA and Front Range Maintaining Gold Medal Status will keep the Blue River as a destination river Phone: Northwest Colorado Council of Governments Foundation Fax: P.O. Box Warren Avenue Silverthorne, CO 80498

27 Conclusions The BRRP was a success: The project partners were committed and shared a common vision. The National Forest Foundation s matching grant gave the project credibility and stimulated financial support. The local community was involved and supportive. The project improved a shared community asset. The working committee met regularly, communicated well, and remained engaged and productive until the end. Group recently began meeting again to plan our next project

28 Next Steps 2001 Project included 3,500 linear feet of fishing habitat improvements 2005 Project included 4,310 linear feet of fishing habitat improvements, including near Town Pavilion State DOW Fishing is Fun grant funding for fish habitat improvements Great Outdoors Colorado - Large Scale Grant program for Blue River Experience including trails, fishing access, and river improvements, along with land acquisitions Blue River Trail construction continues, Four projects in last five years completed, including State Trails Grants, GOCO Grants, and local contributions Recreation In-Channel Diversion Kayak Park and Play on Blue River Water Court hearing in August 2007, next step design and build, land acquired in 2011.

29 Current Issues Find funding for kayak park. Possible Town participation in a USFS river improvement project north of Silverthorne. Lowes project has spurred the re-development of the Buffalo Mountain Metro District site. Related land swap has given Town an access site to the kayak park. River at near flood stages given the inflow into Lake Dillon and Denver Water Board s efforts to balance lake levels and not flood the Lower Blue. 1,800 cubic feet per second maximum release before flood stage reached.

31 High waters every spring

32 Managing erosion

33 Spring 2010 flows at 1800 cfs

34 Tammy Jamieson Memorial Bridge

35 Blue River Trail, 2009 construction

36 From this..

37 To this...

38 Bill s Pictures And since I never miss a chance to show some of my wildlife photography

Blue River Restoration Project William D. Linfield, P.E.

Blue River Restoration Project William D. Linfield, P.E. 1 2 3 4 5 Blue River Restoration Project BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN COMMUNITIES IN COOPERATION WITH THE NATIONAL FOREST FOUNDATION Building Bridges