9496

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9496
• Author: Colorado Riparian Association
• Title: Editor
• USFW Year: Series
• USFW - Doc Type: no date
• Copyright Material: NO

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Location:

This restoration site is located approximately four miles west
of the town of Poncha Springs, Colorado in Chaffee County.

Landowners:

Public Lands managed by: Bureau of Land Management
3 I 70 East Main Street
Canon City, CO 8 I 212
Contact: Tom Grette (7 I 9) 269-8534

Restoration
Objectives: Restore a healthy riparian corridor and improve the condition of
the watershed through grazing management

Directions: From Poncha Springs, take U.S. Highway 50 west two miles
and turn south on ChafTee County Road 210. Continue traveling south for one
mile to ChafTee County Road 2 I 2, then continue for one mile to Pass Creek.

Goals: Prior to 1977, overgrazing practices had degraded the riparian
vegetation to the point where stream banks were severely damaged by floods. The
goal was to restore this area to a functioning healthy riparian system.

Methods: Riparian areas were rested from livestock grazing from 1977 to
1984. In 1984, a grazing system featuring alternate upland water sources was
implemented. Livestock grazing was restricted to early spring, which helped
increase the abundance and vigor of the annual grasses. (nstream structures were
installed to improve stream and riparian habitats. Forage utilization is monitored
closely in the spring and the cattle are promptly moved to the uplands when prop-
er utilization has been reached.

Results: These grazing practices leave the majority of the growing sea-
son free from grazing activities for the riparian vegetation to regrow. The domi-
nant streamside vegetation consists of perennial grasses, and woody species such
as willow, shrubs, alders and cottonwood trees. The goal of this restoration has
been reached and the area is currently being maintained at a functioning level.

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Driving Guide' Arkansas Watershed - -