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' been degraded by extensive streambank erosion (Crane 1997). Results of this degradation noted in the study include: Reduced riparian and wetland ecosystem function, loss of . wildlife habitat, property loss, destruction of the fisheries, relocation of existing irrigation diversions, bridge scoure, reduction of bedload transport, decreased late season flows, increase in flood damage, reduced water quality. The study recounted historical changes in the river since white settlement. According to an early settler, Esra Wade, in 1882 most of the valley near Paonia was covered with cottonwood, skunkbush, willow, and buffa loberry. He wrote that the river -was very crooked, which lessened its fall, therefore did not cut its banks, but spread over a large portion of the valley during high water time, and deposited sand and rich soil from the high country, making the valley soil, in places, very rich. Later on the ranchers began cutting these curves in the river and t hen the trouble began...- (Crane 1997) Many different types of disturbance resulting from development in the valley have led to the existing condition of the North Fork. Efforts to control flooding and bank erosion, removal of riparian vegetation, irrigation diversions, gravel mining, upstream dams, cultivation and grazing have all contributed t o channelization and entrenchment of the river, decrease of sinuosity, high width/depth ratio, and inability to carry its bedload. The challenge now is to meet cur rent needs and future demands for traditional uses while restoring the health of the river and the entire ecosystem (Crane 1997). . Some excellent recommendations for flood management and floodplain restoration are included in the .morphological report. These include removing existing levee s and dikes farther away from the active channel, and increasing wetland a'nd riparian forest habitat within the widened floodplain. Further development on the floodplains of the river and its tributaries, and in wetlands should be discouraged. Crane concludes: "the way to reduce flooding in one area is to promote flooding in others...store floods on their floodplains"(Crane 1997). By encouraging flooding in some areas, the natural ecosystem processes necessary to maintain the cottonwood-willow community can be restored, while other areas are protected from flooding. In addition to the NFRIA, other local groups have taken an interest in restoration of specific sites on the North Fork. This is .an encouraging development. It is important that the morphological and hydrological Characteristics.of each site be t aken into account so that restoration efforts will be 1 asting. The 1997 study will be extremely valuable for evaluating the potential for restoration.. Revegetation of the floodplain can be accomplished using native plant specie s mentioned above. Existing cottonwood and willow communities should be preserved and enhanced, while non-native species can gradually be eliminated. This will be a long-term commitment, but the motivation exists in Delt a County for beginning restoration now. ;~NVIRO.FACTORS: CNELEV: 5100 MAXELEV: 6000