C150037 Feasibility Study

• Contract/PO #: C150037
• Contractor Name: Alamosa River Watershed Restoration Foundation, Inc.
• Contract Type: Grant
• Water District: 35
• County: Alamosa
• Bill Number: HB00-1419
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

.'

Prescription for the Completion of Restoration on the Alarnosa River

I. Introduction

Organization Background

The community initiative known as the Alamosa River Watershed Project (A WRP) was established
in April 1995 through then Governor Romer's executive order. This project is a combined effort
among local landowners, water users, and concerned citizens with the primary goal of stabilizing the
accelerated bank erosion and improving riparian habitat along the AJamosa River. The economic
impacts from land loss and lowering of the water table have affected landowners adjacent to the
nver.

The A \VRP is sponsored by the Alamosa-La lara Water Conservancy District (A-L]WCD) afld has
been a partner to many organizations in the community including: the USDA Natural Resource
Conservation District, Conejos County, San Luis Valley Trout Unlimited, the Colorado Dep;lrtment
of Natural Resources, The Nature Conservancy, Riverkeepers, and the Summitville-TAG
Committee.

In addition to our partners, funding support for past accomplishments have come from section 319
of the EP A Clean Water Act Funds.

Past Accomplishments

Below is a list of significant accomplishments of the A WRP since it's inception in 1995.

1. Produced an educational video about river dynamics and restoration, which has assisted in both
landowner and public education efforts.
2. Coordinated survey of riparian area along the Alamosa River conducted by the NRCS in ] anuary
1996 from Gunbarrel Road to Highway 285.
3. Coordinated river assessment by the NRCS regional riparian team in July of 1996 from Terrace
Reservoir to Highway 285.
4. Worked with the Soil Conservation Service to develop a management plan for the Alamosa
River Watershed, December 1997.
5. Compiled the necessary aerial photography of the Alamosa River for planning and design work
for restoration, September 1997.
6. Installed 2 erosion-control pilot projects to demonstrate potential restoration techniques, 1998
7. Obtained funding for the Conceptual Design for the Alamosa River developed by Dave Rosen,
which was delivered to the Committee in March of 1999.
8. Obtained a regional permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for river restoration.
9. Obtained rock material for Winter 1999 - 2000 project. .
10. Completed of river field survey for Winter 1999 - 2000 project in partnership with the NRCS.

Project Area Description

The project area is the 18-mile stretch of the Alamosa River from Terrace Reservoir, through the
Town of Capulin, ending at highway 285 near La lara, Colorado. However, only certain sections of

1