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Overview
The Rio Grande at Gunbarrel Road, near Monte Vista, CO is facing a deterioration in river health due to unstable and eroding streambanks, an over-wide channel, and degraded riparian areas. Unstable and eroding streambanks are causing significant amounts of sediment to be mobilized, degrading water quality, reducing aquatic habitat due to sedimentation, and reducing the extent of riparian habitat.
The Rio Grande Restoration Project at Gunbarrel Road (the Project) seeks to improve the health and resilience of the Rio Grande downstream of Gunbarrel Road by stabilizing streambanks, constructing a bankfull bench planted with native riparian vegetation, and reshaping the stream to restore appropriate channel dimensions. Restoration activities will reduce erosion and improve water quality, enhance riparian and aquatic habitat, increase alluvial water storage during drought years, and reduce risk to life and property. The Project will engage private landowners, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and local stakeholders in ~1 mile of river restoration.
Project Activities
Reshape and Stabilize Streambanks
Channel and bank shaping through the project area will reduce sediment loading, enhance sediment transport, and improve water quality.
Enhance Aquatic Habitat
Rock structures, channel shaping, and large wood will provide a greater diversity of habitats for aquatic insects and fish.
Enhance Riparian Habitat
native sedges, grasses, forbes, and woody species like willow and dogwood will be planted on reshaped streambanks, providing a diversity of species for wildlife.