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<br />I. <br />I <br />1 <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />Lower Alamosa River Watershed <br /> <br />There are several measurable attributes for describing the conditions in the Alamosa <br />River Corridor and the lower portions of the watershed. These parameters quantify the <br />watershed function, condition and overall health. The measurable attributes include the <br />following: <br /> <br />· Hydrology- peak discharge, seasonal discharge, total discharge, minimum flows, and <br />rainfall to streamflow relationships, size, and shape of watershed. <br />· Erosion and Sediment Yield- watershed cover and soil health, dominate erosion <br />processes, rates of erosion, sediment delivery ratios, and sediment transport. <br />· Floodplain/Riparian Vegetation- community type, type distribution, surface cover, <br />community dynamics, succession, and connectivity. <br />· Channel processes- flow characteristics, channel dimensions/shape/profile, <br />substrate composition, floodplain connectivity and entrenchment, meandering, <br />depositional features. <br />· Water Quality- Metals, nutrients, sediment, total suspended sediment, e-coli/fecal <br />coliform, macroinvertebrates, compliance to designated uses <br />· Aquatic and Riparian Habitats- identification of aquatic species of concern and <br />habitat, riparian vegetation of concern, biological indicators, population, density, <br />diversity. <br /> <br />The Alamosa RiverWatershed Restoration Program (AWRA) has taken the lead in <br />attempts to restore the lower portion of the Alamosa River Watershed. Initial <br />characterization work for the lower watershed has been performed by AWRA in terms of <br />stream morphology and streambank condition; this type of stream characterization study <br />should also be performed on the remaining downstream river reach. The hydrology <br />needs to be better defined since stream flow gages are not present in the lower portion <br />of the watershed; interaction between the river and the aquifer needs to be defined. <br />Floodplain characterization should be performed for the entire portions of the watershed. <br />Better water quality characterization studies need to be performed in the lower portion of <br />the watershed. Riparian habitat studies have been performed by NRCS and are a good <br />first start in defining these sensitive areas but need to be performed for most of the <br />watershed. All of these watershed attributes needs to be documented and placed in GIS <br />database system for watershed management purposes. It is assumed that the <br />watershed restoration plan will address the characterization of these watershed <br />attributes. <br /> <br />A prioritization approach for future watershed projects should be developed to help <br />ensure that restoration funding is being spent effectively. A tied approach should be <br />considered. First, areas that are source areas of pollution or areas impacted by past <br />activities need to be listed and ranked. Secondly, design alternatives for ranked areas <br />should be prioritized according to various criteria such as: <br /> <br />· Technical feasibility <br />· Difficulty of implementation <br />· Compliance to laws <br />· Relationship to injured resources <br />· Compatibility to the public's vision and needs <br />· Cost <br /> <br />10 <br />