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mechanics. Over 97% of those individuals that are directly affected by the river support this project and <br />are in agreement with the design and methods used during the restoration process. The completed 2.5 <br />miles involved 9 of the 19 ditch companies and 11 landowners. The rest of the population is still <br />affected by the stream, either through home water supply from a groundwater source tied to the river, <br />aesthetics, the windbreak the trees in the riparian area provide, and the shelter that is available for birds <br />and other wildlife. These things are appreciated in a high desert valley. <br />Two construction phases were required to accomplish the 2.5 miles of river restoration and riparian <br />restoration work. This work was conducted by two different construction contractors under two separate <br />construction contracts. Phase I started and ended in 2004, and phase II started in 2005 and ended in <br />2006. Vegetation monitoring was accomplished at the design phase of the project in 2001, and was <br />quantitatively re-assessed the following year (2002). Qualitative assessments have been made post <br />construction, and a comprehensive re-assessment of the vegetative condition will be conducted in the <br />late summer of 2007. Pre-construction geomorphic assessments of the project have been made, using <br />aerial photographic records, topographic surveys, photo documentation, and permanent cross section <br />establishment. Post construction surveys have been made and compared to the pre-project condition. <br />These comparisons have demonstrated the successful re-establishment of appropriate dimensions, width <br />to depth ratios, and riffle/ pool sequences for the river. Cross section surveys and photo comparisons are <br />being conducted in untreated sections of the river to help monitor success. <br />1.0 INTRODUCTION <br />General Project Description <br />This 319 project Number WQC 0101225 has focused on riverbank stabilization and riparian <br />habitat improvements along a 2.5 mile reach of the Alamosa River in Conejos County, Colorado. <br />The Alamosa River watershed is in HUC 13010002. A previous 319 project (WQC 0000210) <br />provided an assessment of 18 miles of the Alamosa River from Terrace Reservoir eastward to <br />US Hwy 285. The previous project included a broad geomorphic assessment, baseline <br />monitoring, conceptual planning and prioritization tasks for river restoration. The previous <br />project also included in-stream construction of a demonstration reach (1300 LF) of potential <br />restoration techniques. The current project was begun in 2001, and has included comprehensive <br />vegetation monitoring, pre-construction field surveys, establishment of monitoring cross sections <br />and photo points. Two phases of river restoration work were accomplished, completing more <br />than 2.5 miles of restoration on the Alamosa River. <br />The USEPA 319 grant program was pursued because of its focus on improving water quality. <br />Water quality degradation in the Alamosa River above and below Terrace reservoir include <br />mining (recent and historic) in the upper watershed, natural geological erosion and acid rock <br />drainage, irrigation management of the available water, and riparian area management. The <br />primary water quality impact to the Alamosa River below Terrace reservoir is sediment and <br />bedload. The primary source for this sediment is streambank erosion. <br />The goals of this project are to apply Best Management Practices (BMP's) to restore the health <br />of the riparian zone, and to restore the balance of sediment transport continuity through re- <br />establishment of a geomorphically stable stream. Data collected to assess BMP effectiveness <br />3 <br />