EDWARDS EAGLE RIVER RESTORATION

How did we select the Edwards area for restoration?
The Eagle River Watershed Council spearheaded a broad research project led by Colorado State University in 2003: The Eagle River Inventory and Assessment. The Edwards / Lake Creek segment of the Eagle River was identified through this research as a high priority segment of the river corridor with good water quality but with substantially degraded riparian habitat. This provides the best available opportunity in the Eagle River watershed to reconnect existing high quality habitats and reestablish wetland and riparian functions on a disproportionately large scale. This research was designed to be a non-biased, science based tool for the community and funding partners to use when making decisions about where limited resources should be spent to get the most ecological bang for the buck in the Eagle River watershed.


Why is this segment of the river the most important to restore in our watershed?
The Edwards reach of the Eagle River main stem contains areas of poor quality aquatic habitat, which effectively disconnects high quality riparian and aquatic habitats that are present upstream and downstream. Channel conditions and aquatic habitat have been degraded by past agricultural land use practices coupled with increasing development linked with non-point source pollution supply. The most significant impacts are from fine sedimentation, livestock grazing and denuded riparian vegetation. In this lowest gradient reach of the Eagle River, the channel is unable to mobilize the excessive sedimentation. As a result the channel has local aggradation zones and the channel is widening, which increases the width to depth ratio and decreases habitat value. The fine sediment has been identified as significant habitat for the tubifex worm, a prime vector for whirling disease. Further, large quantities of silt have been deposited throughout this stretch, reducing insect populations and trout hiding cover.

Article from Vail Daily - Saturday, July 12, 2008

Where is the project? What do we propose to do?
The Edwards Eagle River Restoration entire project site is roughly 1.6 miles long covering an area of 168 acres. The project site begins about one-half mile downstream of the Edwards bridge and ends at the Hillcrest Drive bridge. Restoration, enhancement and protection is proposed on both north and south banks, in the river channel as well as within the floodplain. As in all river projects, our most important partners are the landowners. All restoration work will be coordinated with the approval and support of all landowners in the reach

An aerial map of the area is shown below: (For a higher resolution photo, open: ERRP_Photo, a pdf file.)

Eagle River Restoration Project Plan (text doc)
NRDS Grant for Eagle River Restoration (text doc)

Restoration Photo Gallery

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The overall goal of the Edwards Restoration Project is to improve habitat and function in the Edwards reach of the Eagle River and its floodplain. Restoration goals and the specific objectives designed to achieve the goals are listed below.

Reduce the overly high instream temperatures and raise dissolved oxygen levels during summer months

Reduce fine sediment accumulation zones which are conducive to whirling disease vectors

Improve channel function and aquatic habitat

Improve riparian and terrestrial habitat

Improve current land use practices to reduce impacts to the river corridor

Provide managed educational and recreational opportunities along the river corridor