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ie/ <br />North <br />Fork <br />River <br />Improvement <br />Association <br />Mission: To meet current and future <br />demands for traditional uses of <br />the river while improving stream <br />stability, riparian habitat, and <br />ecosystem function along the North <br />Fork of the Gunnison River. <br />The North Fork River Improvement <br />Association ( NFRIA) is a collaborative <br />group serving the North Fork of <br />the Gunnison River Watershed. The <br />organization strives to create a stable, <br />diverse, aesthetically pleasing riparian <br />corridor for the North Fork that is an <br />asset to the community. <br />Accomplishments <br />NFRIA finished construction on <br />the Upper Curry Ranch Rehabilitation <br />in the fall of 2004. This project <br />realigned 1,600 linear feet of channel <br />and floodplain near Hotchkiss, re- <br />established a natural riffle -pool <br />sequence for fish, stabilized banks <br />with rock structures, and revegetated <br />floodplain areas with willow plantings. <br />In addition, wetland and nesting areas <br />for waterfowl were created to improve <br />upland bird habitat. <br />Work on eight sites along the <br />river is progressing through the Army <br />Corps of Engineers Aquatic Ecosystem <br />Restoration Program. Funding is <br />secured for engineering and design for <br />each proj ect site, totaling approximately <br />six more miles of planned restoration, <br />and reconstruction of four more <br />irrigation diversions. These projects <br />enhance aquatic habitat and are a <br />cooperative community endeavor, <br />meeting the needs of all users. <br />In addition to this work, NFRIA <br />is working with multiple partners to <br />remove the Chipeta Dam in 2006. <br />The crumbling, obsolete structure no <br />longer diverts water, is hazardous to <br />boaters and swimmers, and impedes <br />fish migration. Partners include the <br />US Fish and Wildlife Service, Trout <br />Unlimited, Wildlife Forever, Paonia <br />Kayak Club, and the Hotchkiss Fire <br />Department. <br />As of April <br />2005, the dedicated <br />volunteers of the North <br />Fork Volunteer Water <br />Quality Monitoring <br />Network have collected <br />four years worth of <br />water quality data on <br />seven different sites <br />along the North Fork <br />River. Data on bacteria, <br />nutrients, metals, <br />and several other <br />parameters is used by <br />local municipalities and <br />concerned citizens. <br />local watershed reports <br />Public Outreach <br />The River Education and Outreach <br />Program strives to engage local students <br />and the community in river activities <br />and inform them about local water <br />resources. NFRIA took 255 people <br />down the river in May of 2005 on the <br />7th Annual River Awareness Float. In <br />addition to the float, student seminars, <br />an interactive web site, and newsletters <br />enable NFRIA to spread the word about <br />the value of our North Fork River. <br />To learn more, visit us on the web at <br />www.nfria.paonia.com, e -mail nfria@ <br />tds.net, or call (970) 527 -4614. <br />North Fork of the Gunnison River <br />4 , + <br />f <br />