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. . location of irrigation head gates, individual attempts to protect streambanks, and overgrazing of riparian vegetation. Down cutting in the channel that followed straightening has resulted in a considerable reduction of the height of the water table. This has caused reductions in the size and health of the riparian corridor. In some areas, minimal vegetation cover has made forage scarce for both livestock and wildlife. Down cutting has also produced water quality problems. Some segments of the river, especially those close to irrigation ditches, have higher velocities, which contribute to downstream increases in sediment and bedload. Because of erosion and increased bedload, the general morphology of stream has been altered to such a degree that it offers minimal habitat for fish and other aquatic life. In the project area, twenty-seven ditch companies divert water from the Alamosa River to irrigate approximately 50,000 acres of/and and to provide water for livestock. In summer, the river near Capulin is dewatered due to agricultural withdrawals. Terrace Irrigation Company stores the water of the Alamosa River watershed, depleting the water supply in winter months. An Assessment of the Riparian Corridor of the Alamosa River, conducted in 1996 by the NRCS Intermountain Riparian/Wetlands Resource Technician Team, determined that the riparian areas have very good potential for recovery. "Cottonwoods, numerous willow species, and the herbaceous components should respond favorably to proper management" says the report. Increasing the vigor of plant cover in the riparian area is extremely important to the whole system. It will provide more forage capability, canopy cover, pH buffering, sediment filtration, and bank stability. The ARWRP, the A-LJWCD, and the landowners along the stream wish to design and construct restoration features which will allow the Alamosa River to function once again as a natural stream. MAPS( attached) Descriptions of map and project area: The ARWRP has developed its' own map which separates the stream into segments I through 4. Segment I begins at the Terrace Reservoir and number 4 ends downstream at Hwy.285. Scale I n= 50,000. All these segments are in segment 9-10 as identified by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Water Quality Control Commission's Classifications and Numeric Standards. However, the characterization used in this map has no relation with the report and is used for convenience to describe the project. Segment 1. Terrace Reservoir to one mile above the Gunbarrel Road (approximately 8 miles). There has been little alteration in this reach. Channel instability is due to Page -2-