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<br />South Platte River, Chatfield Downstream Channel Improvement Project- Vegetation Management Plan <br /> <br />generally considered the single most important wildlife habitat in Colorado. This reach is <br />highly valuable to wildlife species. Potential listed species that may find suitable habitat in <br />this site include the northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens), common garter snake (Thamnophis <br />sirtalis), peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum), ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis), <br />western yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus american us), and Iowa darter (Etheostoma exile). <br />Hydrology - Channel is sinuous to some degree in this reach but straightens through the <br />Hudson's Garden and Columbine Country Club areas. Drainages in the reach include Lee <br />Gulch, Dutch Creek, and Little's Creek. Several ponds occur adjacent to the river including <br />Lee Gulch Pond, Denver Seminary Pond, Hudson's Garden Pond, Columbine Country Club, <br />Centennial Golf Course and Watson Lake. Soils - River alluvium consists of sand, gravel, <br />and cobble with some large boulders. Sandbars are stabilized with roots from willow thicket <br />in most in channel areas. Sandbars are small to medium sized and can be found dispersed <br />through out the reach Bank soils are higher in organic material and include sandy clay silt. <br /> <br />3: Reach B) Bowles Avenue to West Union Avenue <br /> <br /> <br />Reach B) Bowles Avenue to West Union Avenue (Pilot Project Location) <br />Engineered Structures - Reach B includes a series of drop structures, ramps, culverts, and <br />bridges. Vegetation - Riparian habitat is dominated by a narrow willow riparian fringe along <br />the river in this highly urban and industrial location. The understory consists of cattails, <br />sedge, rush, grass, and forbs. Deciduous trees were planted in the upland-riparian zone <br />several years ago. Aside from the cottonwood gallery on the Oxbow property on the east <br />bank of the river between W. Belleview Ave. and Big Dry Creek, few cottonwood galleries <br />are found in this reach. Drainages into the channel occur along the reach and have dense <br />wetland vegetation. Wildlife - This area provides breeding habitat for numerous species of <br />resident birds, particularly Neo-tropical migrants. It is habitat for fish and invertebrates, <br /> <br />Page 11 <br />Final Report - April 30, 2008 <br />