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<br />i <br /> <br />production in the floodplain. This well intended but misguided practice cut the river off <br />from its floodplain, increased stress and erosion on the riverbanks, decreased wetland and <br />riparian areas, devastated the fish habitat, damaged important irrigation facilities, and <br />subsequently reduced water quality by increasing sediment and agricultural runoff to the <br />stream, This is a widespread problem through an approximate 12-mile reach of river from <br />east of Paonia to west of Hotchkiss. <br /> <br />The following year NFRIA completed the preliminary design for a demonstration project <br />on the North Fork to illustrate available, cost-effective technology necessary to restore <br />proper riverine function to a very badly damaged section of the river. The design was a <br />collaboration between NFRIA, the Army Corps, the NRCS, the EP A, the Soil <br />Conservation District, private consultants, and local landowners based on the <br />recommendations of the morphological assessment. One of the prime objectives is to <br />construct a reliable irrigation diversion to promote sustainable agriculture in the valley <br />while eliminating the need for bulldozers in the river to divert water. This innovative <br />design will allow fish to migrate upstream, safe passage of recreational boats, effective <br />movement of bedload, and an increase of in-stream flows by metering irrigation water at <br />the point of diversion instead of in the ditch. Other objectives include bank stabilization <br />through innovative bioengineering techniques, enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat, <br />rehabilitation of the floodplain by removing or relocating existing dikes and expanding <br />the effective floodplain, the creation of new shallow water wetlands, and the construction -~ <br />of a morphologically balanced channel with increased sinuosity. Planning and design for {I <br />this project was funded by a $50,000 grant from the EP A and $50,000 from the Colorado <br />Dept of Local Affairs. <br /> <br />Final construction plans have recently been completed and construction has just begun on <br />this comprehensive resource restoration project. Construction of this 1.5-mile project is <br />scheduled to be completed by April 2000. This project is intended to be the first in a <br />series of projects aimed at restoring a 16-mile reach of the North Fork ofthe Gunnison <br />River and is a model of community collaboration investing in a sustainable and improved <br />quality oflife. The total long-range project cost is estimated to be approximately <br />$3,000,000 over the next 10 to 20 years. <br /> <br />3.0 rrOj~~~~:-criP~~ <br /> <br />3.1 Goals and Ob'ectives <br />The goal of the North Fork Wetland Enhancement Projecfis to promote the development <br />of new shallow water riparian wetlands and work with community interests to protect <br />existing wetlands along the North Fork of the Gunnison River. The following objectives <br />have been identified toward achieving the goal: <br /> <br />/ Community Outreach and Education <br />2 Monitor and evaluation of existing cross sections <br />.3 Research the effects ofPaonia Reservoir on restoration efforts and sediment deposition <br />downstream <br />'I Plan and design a demonstration project <br /> <br />:3 <br /> <br />~- <br /> <br />? <br /> <br />:; <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />