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Location: Legal: T46N, R6E, Sec. 25,26, & 35. T45N, R6E, Sec. 2 This site is located approximately 12 miles from Saguache, Colorado. Landowners: Public Lands Managed By: Bureau of Land Management 1921 State Street Alamosa, CO 8110 I Contact: Mike Cassell (719) 589-4975 Restoration Objectives: Grazing management, and fish and wildlife habitat Directions: From Saguache, go west on Highway 114 for approximately 8 miles. Turn north on Ford Creek Road and travel approximately 2 miles to the site. Goals: In the past, a summer long grazing system was in place which caused portions of the stream and stream banks to become extremely deteriorated In 1989 alternative grazing management practices were implemented to improve the degraded condition of the riparian corridor. Methods: Through cooperation with the grazing permittee, cattle guards and a riparian pasture fence were constructed in order to restrict livestock grazin: along the stream. Instream drop structures were installed in the channel to contro flow velocity and create pools along the degraded riparian corridor. A monitorin~ program was implemented to observe and track changes in vegetation, stream flow, and channel morphology. Results: The success of these restoration efforts has exceeded initial expectations. Grasses are more abundant and lush than in previous years, the occurrences of woody species have increased, and cottonwoods have taken root in areas where they previously were not found. Silt from the tops of the banks ha sloughed down the banks and formed point bars along the inside bends of the creek. These point bars are being colonized by sod-forming sedges. Controlled grazing has resumed in the demonstration area. Close monitoring of changes in vegetation and stream morphology will allow alterations to be made as problems arise in order to maintain the present healthy condition of the stream and ripariar corridor. 6 Driving Guide . Arkansas Watershed