C150033 Approval letter

• Contract/PO #: C150033
• Contractor Name: North Fork River Improvement Association
• Contract Type: Grant
• Water District: 0
• County: Delta
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Approval Letter

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North Fork River Improvement Association
November 22-23,1999

Agenda Item 15c.
(Updated December 2, 1999)

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Hire a surveyor to measure cross sections
Purchase a velocity meter for accurate determination of flows and shear stress
Collect fluvial sediment samples during annual peak flows
Perform annual vegetative transects for riparian evaluation
Perform habitat evaluation studies
Record and report annual findings

3. Research the Effects of Paonia Reservoir ($75,000)
The effects of Paonia Reservoir on sediment deposition and restoration efforts downstream are
unclear and need to be understood. Paonia Reservoir stores water from approximately 50% of
the upper watershed by damming Muddy Creek at the confluence with Anthracite Creek, at the
upstream end of the North Fork of the Gunnison River. Tons of sediment has historically been
discharged to the North Fork from natural gl:lologic slide areas high in the Muddy Creek basin,
and Paonia Reservoir now traps these sediments.

Dr. David Cooper and Dr. Ellen Wohl of the Earth Sciences Dept. will supervise thE! research at
Colorado State University, using graduate students to perform the collection, compilation,
analysis, and dissemination of data. The following tasks have been identified:

Analysis of historic and current aerial photos
Compilation and analysis of studies performed prior to construction of the reservoir
Development of a sediment budget and water diversion budget
Geomorphic analysis of the source of the sediment and previous channel beds
Analysis of riparian cottonwood forests and previous wetlands established in the past
Habitat evaluation immediately downstream of the reservoir
Final report with conclusions and recommendations

4. Plan and Desiqn Demonstration Proiect
This demonstration project would incorporate recommendations developed from the study of
Paonia Reservoir to rehabilitate the floodplain. Specific tasks include:

Contact interested landowners and choose an appropriate site for the project
Perform a detailed land survey of the site
Design and engineer the project
Develop cost estimates and research funding

Discussion
NFRIC has received grants from a number of sources, with the larger grants ranging between
$20,000 to $70,000 in size. The focus of Association efforts is the 16-mile reach of the river
from east of Paonia to west of Hotchkiss: An initial grant from the CWCS in amount of $50,000
to $60,000 would be similar in size to grants from other major contributors.

Of the 4 parts of the grant request, the Paonia Reservoir Research Study ($75,000) might be
best suited for CWCS grant funding. The Paonia Reservoir is silting up and loosing its ability to

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