WSP11238

• File Number: 8240.200.10.C.4
• Description: UCRBRIP Flooded Bottom Lands
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 1/1/1996
• Author: UCRBRIP
• Title: Floodplain Habitat Restoration - 1996 Work Plan
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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Ned Andrews) who collectively have a diversity of knowledge and
experience with large river ecosystems. The Group has reviewed
the key Program documents (e.g., the Habitat Restoration
Program conceptual framework, the Levee Removal Strategy, the
Basin-Wide Monitoring/Evaluation Plan). Input provided by the
Group has helped shape the Umbrella SOW and guide the Habitat
Restoration Program.

A Work Group was also established during 1994 to provide a
forum for agencies and interested parties to provide input into
the Program. The Work Group currently consists of 20 members
(Appendix A), each of which has a unique perspective to bring
to the table. The Work Group reviews all draft documents and
products of the Habitat Restoration Program, and offers input
and suggestions. The Work Group has also helped shape and
guide the Program.

Final drafts of products are reviewed by the Biology Committee,
who then makes recommendations to the Management Committee on
each of the Program products. Products become final upon
approval of the Management Committee.

2. Reconnect the floodplain to the river in areas where the
floodplain has been cut off.

Levees (both man-made and natural) will be breached, removed,
or set back, where possible, to allow the adjacent floodplain
to flood at lower flows. This will be done as part of the
Levee Removal Strategy (when acquisition of an interest in the
property is not required prior to restoration), and as part of
the Land Acquisition Strategy (when acquisition of an interest
in the property is required prior to restoration). As a part
of each strategy, candidate sites will need to be screened for
contaminants and undergo floodability assessments. Following
is a brief description of each strategy:

Levee Removal

Sites identified in the Levee Removal Strategy will be screened
for contaminants; will undergo floodability assessments (which
will involve aerial photos, surveying, and HEC-2 modelling);
and will require environmental compliance. Levee
breaching/removal will be done at "application sites." Sites
which flood during high spring flows will be sampled to
determine relative fish use and survivorship (by species and
life stage), and food production and dynamics, in terraces
versus depressions, and in the floodplain versus in the main
channel, at "natural" (no levees) versus "application" (levee
removed) areas. Response of riparian vegetation to levee
removal will also be monitored. Following are the FY 96 Green
River Levee Removal Strategy sites:

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