9461

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9461
• Author: Colorado Riparian Association.
• Title: Colorado Guide
• USFW Year: 2001.
• USFW - Doc Type: Stream Corridor.
• Copyright Material: NO

_J _J -?J JJ?J J ?J? J rJJ_J ?JJ?J ?J J? r_J Restoring and Maintaining Functionality

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Human activities in Colorado's stream
corridors have greatly altered the manner in
which these corridors function. In many cases
these alterations have permanently changed
the character of portions of the corridor-for
example, transforming land surfaces into houses
and streets or impounding water in reservoirs
behind dams. In other cases, alterations are
more temporary-such as using riparian areas
as cropland or for grazing. As our understanding
of the functioning of stream corridors has
improved, we have become aware of our ability
to make our activities more compatible with
these functions-to restore or rehabilitate
impaired or lost functions.
Restoration implies a total return to a natural system's functions as they
existed prior to human disturbance. Given the degree to which most stream
corridors have been altered, restoration in this sense often is not practical. We
use rehabilitation to mean improvements in the functionality of these systems,
not necessarily a complete return to "pristine" conditions.
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Badger Creek after restoration
Restoration or rehabilitation objectives are best
determined in a watershed planning process.
Such a process should consider the present state
of functionality within the stream corridor, the
primary factors affecting or limiting that func-
tionality, and restoration objectives. Objectives
should be based on an understanding of the
system's potential. Ultimately, however,
objectives are based on preferences. What are
the outcomes those engaged in restoration
planning want to achieve?
This section introduces the watershed planning
approach and discusses some restoration and
rehabilitation considerations.
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Badger Creek before restoration