9496 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Texas Creek Riparian Demonstration Area Location: Approximately 2.5 miles south of Texas Creek, CO, on State Highway 69 in Fremont County. Landowners: Public lands managed by: Bureau of Land Management 3170 East Main Street Canon City, CO 81212 Contact: Tom Grette (719) 269-8534 Restoration Objective: Grazing management/aquatic habitat restoration Description: The study area was initiated in order to demonstrate selected management treatments to restore and enhance the aquatic and riparian conditions on Texas Creek. Specifically, prior to treatment the stream had been unable to sustain a wild trout population due to deteriorated habitat conditions and the degraded state of the riparian vegetation. Directions: Travel south on State Highway 69 approximately 2.5 miles past Texas Creek Turn down a short road that leads to some gathering corrals to reach the demonstration area. Goals: Implementation of management strategies to enhance aquatic and riparian resources. Methods: The study area was fenced into three segments and management techniques were implemented as follows: I) Deferred seasonal graz- ing with no supplemental habitat treatments. 2) Livestock exclusion with inten- sive fish habitat treatments (installation of instream structures, willow plantings along the streambanks, and bank stabilization). 3) Livestock exclusion, with no supplemental habitat treatments. Results: After implementation, all study segments showed dramatic improvement. Texas Creek progressed from a stream unable to sustain a wild trout population to a highly valuable brown trout fishery. Woody riparian vegetation such as willows and cottonwoods now dominate most of the riparian corridor. The success of this study indicates that even non-comprehensive efforts (i.e., the treatments with no supplemental habitat treatments) can significantly improve the health and condition of a stream and its banks. 18 Driving Guide . Arkansas Watershed