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Upper Curry Rehabilitation Project

Problem- Aquatic and terrestrial habitat along the North Fork has been adversely affected by a number of human impacts. At the site there was currently little fish holding capacity in the stream and the riparian area is in poor functioning condition. The channel is degrading and accelerated erosion of the streambanks are contributing sediment, affecting downstream stability, and de-watering the adjacent riparian zone. Wildlife value has been degraded and undesirable plants are increasing on the site.

Work Completed- This proposed mitigation/enhancement project treated an estimated 2,000 linear feet of channel and adjacent riparian area. A new channel alignment has increased sinuosity, reduced grade, widened the riparian zone, and reestablished a natural riffle/pool sequence for preferred fish habitat. Large boulders are stabilizing the outside bends of the new channel with typical 'j-hook' structures that tend to reduce the shear stress on the banks and create slow pools for additional fish holding and spawning habitat.

The new channel is hydrologically designed to restore a balanced sediment transport regime that will neither aggrade nor degrade. The channel and associated banks are graded in a manner that will allow for safe overbank flooding of the floodplain during high water events. Live willow silt fences and log debris are dissipating fluvial energy during overbank flooding above the 2-year return flow and allowing for natural sediment deposition on the floodplain and recruitment of native vegetative species.

Non-native Tamarisk and Russian Olives have been removed and habitat values in the riparian area are improved with willow plantings along with deferred grazing. Fencing is installed to better manage livestock in adjacent areas. These modifications will promote wetlands and backwater nesting areas for waterfowl and fish spawning.

Benefits- This project was completed in May of 2005 and is functioning beautifully in high water. Each of the rock vane structures are effectively pushing the main flow of the water away from the banks to deter erosion. The slow water created behind these rocks are likely fish resting places right now during high water, and are certainly creating waves for recreational boating.

Live willow bundles are incorporated and are looking stable. The constructed fence is also successfully managing livestock in adjacent areas.

This project is located at the end of the Midway Enhancement Project built by the North Fork River Improvement Association in 2001. This proposal extended the previous habitat enhancement project and tied into a stable single-thread meandering channel along the Mancos Shale bluffs near Highway 133 to restore the aquatic migration corridor for several miles upstream. The proposed shallow backwater will help protect juvenile native species numbers and reduce predation from non-natives.

Partners- Curry Family, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Colorado State Conservation Board (Basin States Parallel Wildlife Program), Delta Conservation District, and the Bureau of Reclamation (Central Utah Project).