TLC for the San 
Miguel
Federal and state funding come to the resuce of well-loved river.

Restoration Funding Available

Return of the Natives
Sweetflag
(Acorus calamus)
 
 

AWC crews have been racing old man winter and trying to keep warm lately as the snow falls on the San Miguel River restoration project in Telluride.  While the work on the San Miguel River has been most obvious in recent weeks as heavy equipment has moved into the river corridor, the restoration project has roots that extend back decades.  For the last twenty-five years, the Town of Telluride has worked to acquire land along the river corridor.  The Town now owns approximately 95% of the land adjacent to the river through the city limits.  Planning and design for the project, which has been financed by the Natural Resource Damage Recovery Fund, Great Outdoors Colorado and the Town of Telluride, began three years ago with the selection of AWC as the river restoration design/build team and a series of stakeholder meetings.   Key features of the project include: creation of in-channel sinuosity, hydraulic and sediment transport improvements, bank stabilization, restoration of the riparian zone overhead canopy, wetland creation along the river corridor and in a sediment detention basin, creation of deepwater pools for fish habitat, and an improved, continuous pedestrian trail along the corridor.

Although pristine settings often overshadow the degraded condition of mountain rivers, many exhibit similar ails to their urban counterparts.  The San Miguel River in Telluride is a good example of this.  The river has historically and continues to be affected by many factors: heavy metal loading, siltation from increased development, channelization, and a new threat of being "loved to death."  While it is easy to point fingers at seemingly large factors such as upstream mining activities or resort development, equally as guilty is merely human habitation in the valley.  Physical encroachment of the river corridor results in a constrained and channelized river.  The increase in impermeable surface produces more runoff and siltation to the river.  The river restoration project seeks to improve the habitat value of the river by assisting it in coping with the many factors that impact it. 

In order to create a self-sustaining ecosystem, the project must first address issues related to hydraulics and sedimentary imbalance.  When the river reaches the outskirts of town from its origins high in the San Juan mountain range, it is heavily loaded with sediment which is deposited at the upper end of the project reach.  A sedimentation basin will be constructed there.  Additionally, a culverted auto bridge, which restrained water flow and caused backwater flooding, has been replaced with a clear span bridge.  The bridge is also better for fish passage.  The improvements  designed by the AWC team will serve to stabilize channel geometry, reduce backwater and flooding at bridge openings, reduce the sediment supply, reduce runoff-caused siltation,  and increase the river’s carrying capacity in constrained areas. 

Once the river is returned to a stable, hydraulically-functional condition, the project can turn its attention to improving aquatic and riparian habitat.  AWC has designed a variety of treatments to create conditions that are favorable and appealing to fish.  To be healthy and productive, fish require fast water feeding habitat; slow deep-water resting habitat; overhead and instream cover; spawning and nursery habitat.  The main constraint to good habitat in this reach was inadequate water depth during low flow periods.  Deep water is critical for overwintering habitat, cooler water temperatures in the summer and maximizing fish biomass.  In order to increase depth, the river channel will be narrowed and excavated in certain areas to concentrate water at low flow conditions.  This selective "sculpting" will create slow, deep-water pools and shallow, fast-water riffles.

A healthy river requires a healthy riparian corridor.  Leaf litter and debris from riparian vegetation are the base of the aquatic food chain.  The vegetation also helps to filter runoff to the river, attenuates flood flow velocity and volume, and provides food and habitat for terrestrial and avian species.  As part of the restoration project thousands of wetland and riparian plants will be installed along the corridor next spring.

In order for river restoration projects to be successful in the long term, it is critical to also address issues within the local watershed that cause stress to the river ecosystem.  In a separate project, the Town has been proactive in addressing the increased runoff and siltation from the streets.  AWC worked with the Town and Foley Associates, a local engineering firm, to construct a "managed" wetland to intercept runoff before it reaches the river.  The wetland is actually a two part system.  Runoff first flows into part of a desiltation tank where most of the silt settles out.  The water then flows into the densely vegetated wetland area for a final polish before it enters the river.  The system was constructed in 1998 and has shown a marked improvement in removal efficiency.

Another key to the long term success of the restoration will be the improvement and extension of the existing pedestrian trail.  New sections of the trail will be located away from the river, to protect the riparian zone.  People will have access to the river at pocket parks and designated access points.  Limiting access to the river to specific places, simplifies management of the traffic and reduces the extent of impact.

The Town has established a monitoring program to evaluate the actual effectiveness of the project as it relates to the overall river health.  An electro-fishing population survey was conducted prior to the commencement of the project.  The monitoring plan will evaluate various components, including riparian vegetation, fish biomass, sediment loading and water quality.
 

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Restoration Funding Available

The San Miguel River corridor restoration project (TLC for the San Miguel) is one of many habitat restoration projects that are made possible through grant funding.  There are many sources of funding available for both public and private parties for the protection and restoration of wildlife habitat.  

Fishing Is Fun in Colorado: The Fishing Is Fun program is funded by Federal monies that are administered through the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW).  The purpose of the program is to promote and augment sport fishing in Colorado.  Examples of projects that would be eligible for funding include: public fishing ponds, stream habitat improvement, improved access to fishing resources, fish reefs or cover structures in lakes, or fencing of stream riparian habitat.  Funding is only available for public entities and grant requests must be matched with cash or in-kind contributions.  Applications are currently available from the CDOW or on their website: http://www.dnr.state.co.us/wildlife/fishing/fun/index.html.  Applications are due March 1, 2001
Partners for Fish and Wildlife:  This is a voluntary program that provides technical and financial assistance for private landowners interested in habitat projects.  Local U.S. Fish and Widlife Service staff work with interested landowners to develop and construct productive habitat projects. Funding for the program comes from Federal, state and non-profit sources.  Examples of Partners projects can be found at http://206.168.125.59/wetlands/default.asp.

North American Wetlands Conservation Act Grant Program: The purpose of the program is to encourage voluntary public-private partnerships for the conservation of North American wetland ecosystems.  There are two different grant programs: standard and small grants.  The funding cap for the standard grants is $1 million.  The cap for the small grants is $50,000.  Public and private entities are eligible and must provide at least a 2:1 match.  2001 instructions for applications will be available in January.  Applications are due in March and July.  For more information go to http://northamerican.fws.gov/NAWCA/nawcahp.html.

Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program:  This is a voluntary program for private landowners that want to develop and improve wildlife habitat.  It provides both technical and financial assistance.  Participants work with USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service to prepare a wildlife habitat development plan in consultation with local districts.  The plan describes the landowner's goals for improving wildlife habitat, includes a list of pracitces and schedule for installing them, and details the steps necessary to maintain the habitat for the life of the agreement.  For more information go to http://www.nhq.nrcs.usda.gov/OPA/FB96OPA/ProgFact.html

For more information on any of these options or to explore funding for your project, call Susan Cousins at AWC's Boulder office: 303.442.5770.

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Return of the Natives

Acorus calamus, Sweetflag

Sweetflag has long been known for its medicinal value and has been cultivated in Asia for this reason.  It's appearance is quite similar to blue or yellow flag but without the showy flowers.  It's flowers appear in an arum-like cluster, similar in shape to cattail seed heads.  Sweetflag is easy to differentiate from its look alikes by the sweet smell of its crushed leaves.   The uses of Acorus calamus are numerous and diverse.  The sweet/spicy-scented leaves and fragrant root are used for sachets, medicines and candy.  The rhizomes are the focus of its utility although the young leaves can be eaten cooked or raw, and the mature leaves can be used as insect repellant.  The leaves can also be used as a substitute for vanilla pods.  Medicinally, the roots are used to treat epilepsy, mental and digestional ailments, sinusitis and to relieve flatulence.  Essential oils can be distilled from the roots.  In the kitchen, the dried rhizomes can be used as a substitute for ginger, cinnamon or nutmeg.  Internet research even produced a recipe for Sweetflag soup.  Similar to nutmeg, Sweetflag is thought to "stimulate and evoke a cheerful mood" when the roots are chewed.  Calamus is also an aphrodisiac, especially when used as an additive in bath water.  No wonder its so popular among waterfowl!  Reportedly, Walt Whitman's "Leaves of Grass" makes numerous references to Sweetflag and its effects.  Even paleontologists can find something to like about Sweetflag.  Its morphology and DNA seems to indicate that it is an early stage in the evolution of the monocots.  

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