PARENT SESSION
Oral Session #37: River and Riparian Restoration II.
Presiding: J. Berg
Tuesday, August 6. 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Mohave Meeting Room, TCC.
An integrated appraoch to stream restoration on the upper Little Colorado River, Arizona.
Valencia, Ruth*,1, Wirtanen, Mark2, Moody, Tom2, 1 College of Ecosystem Science and Management, Flagstaff, AZ2 Natural Channel Design, Inc., Flagstaff, AZ
ABSTRACT- In rivers with multiple land ownerships, stream enhancement projects are often restricted to short segments of stream corridor, constructed at different times and with little integration of either objectives or design components. We were able to implement a more integrated approach because of the existence of a local watershed group, the Upper Little Colorado River Watershed Partnership, whose goals were to promote innovative ways to enhance the river corridor while still respecting individual landowners′ needs and objectives. Through the partnership, the opportunity existed to examine stream reaches that go beyond a single landowner′s boundary to provide an integrated view of the riparian corridor. This evaluation culminated in a concept plan for restoration and was made available to the Partnership and local landowners. In order to illustrate to landowners the potential for riparian restoration, a riparian enhancement demonstration project was designed. The design attempts to enhance the physical and biological processes of the stream corridor with two strategies. The first is to reduce the stresses placed on the system by livestock grazing and to reduce stream pressure on eroding banks. The second strategy is to strengthen the physical and biological system by utilizing bioengineering practices and several in-stream structures. The result will be a reduction in erosion and sedimentation, enhancement of the native riparian vegetation and increased wildlife habitat, while providing increased recreational opportunities and maintaining livestock water supply. The demonstration project is scheduled to be constructed in the Fall of 2002.
KEY WORDS: riparian restoration, stream restoration, fluvial geomorphology, bioengineering