PUB00093

• Year: 2004
• Title: State of Colorado's Watersheds Report
• CWCB Section: Administration
• Author: Colorado Watershed Assembly
• Description: An Annual Report
• Publications - Doc Type: Other

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Alission: To meet current andfuture
demand\'for traditional uses of
the river while impmving stream
slabili~y. riparian habitat, and
eco,\J'StemJunction along the North
Fork of the Gunnison Rive,:

The N0I1h Fork River Improvement
Association (NFRIA) is a grassroots,
collaboration-based group serving
the N0I1h Fork of the Gunnison River
Watershed. The organization strives to
create an aesthetically pleasing, stable
and diverse riparian corridor for the
North Fork and its tributaries that is an
asset to the community.

Accomplishments
2003 was a productive year,
and 2004 looks to be even better. In
2003, the Master Planning Document
for the River Park near Paonia was
was completed. Weed removal and
educational cllorts have begun. The park
will provide public access for boaters.
anglers, families, and educators. This
is a tremendous opportunity for the
North Fork River, which is mostly
privately owned and inaccessible to
the community.

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In March of 2003, the Monitor
Ditch Diversion between Paonia and
Hotchkiss was constmctcd. diverting
a full entitlement into the ditch and
leaving enough water in the river for
fish to migrate upstream and boats to
pass safely downstream. Diversion
projects enhance aquatic habitat,
and are a cooperative community
endeavor, meeting the needs of all
users. Four more diversions arc slated
to be constmcted by 2006.
As of April 2004, the dedicated
volunteers of the North Fork Volunteer
\Vater Quality Monitoring Network
have now collected three years' worth
of water quality data on the North
Fork River. Data on bacteria. nutrients.
metals, and several other parameters
are used by local municipalities and
concerned citizens.

Public Outreach
The River Education and Outreach
Program strives to engage local
students and communities in river
activities and inform them about
local watcr resources. The 6th Annual
River Awareness Float took almost
200 people from Paonia to Hotchkiss
on May 15, and more joined liS for the
Silent Auction and BBQ at the take-
out. In addition to the float. student
seminars, an interactive web site, and
newsletters enable NFRIA to spread

The River Park near
Paonia will provide public
access for boaters,
anglers, families,
and educators.

the word about the value of our North
Fork River.

Looking Ahead
NFRIA will begin construction on
the Upper Curry Ranch Rehabilitation
in the fall of 2004. This project will
accomplish the foil O\\'i ng:

. Realign 1,600 linear feet of channel
and floodplain near Hotchkiss

. Re-establish a natural rime-pool
sequence for fish

. Stabilize banks with rock
structures

. Rcvcgctatc floodplain areas with
cottonwood and willow plantings

In addition, wetland and nesting
areas for waterfowl will be created to
improve upland bird habitat. This is
just one of eight sites being restored
through the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers 206 Aquatic Ecosystems
Restoration Program.

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Sampling on/he /v'or/h Fork Ril'er