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MIDWAY STREAMBANK STABILIZATION PROJECT <br />Final Report <br />PROJECT SUMMARY <br />This project implemented a component of Phase 2 on a portion of the North Fork restoration <br />project at Midway by installing several best management practices to stabilize and reduce bai~lc <br />erosion. These practices include boulder structures along the bai~lcs and in the channel as well as <br />revegetating streambanlcs and floodplain through natural recn~itment of native riparian <br />vegetation. Tlus vegetation will work to dissapate energy in the floodplain during high water <br />events and will trap sediment and the natural seed base and allow for additional natural <br />recruitment. This technique has proven to be very successfiil in other areas of the North Fork of <br />the Gunnison River. Constructed boulder stn~ctures will reduce sheer stress on the bail{s, <br />velocity in the channel and improve aquatic habitat by providing cover for fish. The project is <br />intended to reduce bank erosion by a minimum of 70% and will be monitored by previously <br />established permanent cross sections. Revegetation in other projects on the North Fork have <br />proven successful with the proposed tecluuques. <br />The project site is located on the North Fork of the Gumlison River between the communities of <br />Paonia and Hotchkiss, Colorado. The site is at Latitude 39.8 and Longitude 107.65. <br />The project was carried out by the North Fork River Improvement Association, PO Box 682, <br />122A Bridge Street, Hotchkiss, Colorado 81419. Telephone 970 872 4614. <br />QUALIFICATIONS <br />The North Fork River Improvement Association (the Association) is acitizen-based, grassroots, <br />collaborative watershed group that takes acommunity-directed, solution-focused approach to river <br />rehabilitation. The Association's overall goal and mission is, "To meet cz~rrer~t ay~d fi~t7zre demar~ds~ for <br />trClGhltlOy9C/~ ?fBeB Of t~le TNel' 1N121je lm~l"OVIl?~ Stl"eqm S`tgj)l~ltJ1, 71jJg7"TCI/? ~2Clbltgt CO?Gh eCOSrVSte~l f?[72Ct101? <br />along the North Fork of tl2e Guixrzis~or~ River". <br />Since its establishment in 1996, the group has partnered with corporations, local organizations, <br />individuals, corporations, foundations, local goveriul7ents, and State and Federal agencies on <br />restoration, education, research, and water quality projects. Association board members represent <br />diverse recreational, agricultural, industrial, and environmental interests. <br />Through collaboration with over sixty partners on river restoration projects and programs, the <br />Association rehabilitated seven miles of river and floodplain, constructed seven water- <br />conserving irrigation diversions on the North Fork River and removed the dangerous Chipeta <br />Dam stricture. These projects improve fish and wildlife habitat, enhance recreation, and <br />conserve in-stream flows. <br />GENERAL PROJECT DESCRIPTION <br />The Watershed The North Fork of the Gunnison River is located in northwestern Gunnison and <br />eastern Delta counties in west central Colorado. It flows through the towns of Paonia and <br />