The northern colorado water conservancy district, in collaboration with the kawuneeche valley ecosystem restoration collaborative (KVERC), will study and design a suite of restoration projects…

The Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, in collaboration with the Kawuneeche Valley Ecosystem Restoration Collaborative (KVERC), received a $1,182,400 Project Grant award from the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation under the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program (CFDA 15.580). The award will fund a study and design project to restore the Kawuneeche Valley in Rocky Mountain National Park to a natural beaver-willow ecosystem. Key activities include developing interventions to limit browsing animals, remove invasive species, and establish beaver dam analogues to increase water tables, reduce sediment, and improve water quality. This one-phase project is part of a multi-phase restoration plan anticipated to benefit 200 acres of wetlands and riparian habitat in the Colorado River Basin. The award supports a collaborative effort between the grantee, Colorado State University, the National Park Service, state/local agencies, and conservation groups to address critical ecosystem degradation in the region.

The northern colorado water conservancy district, in collaboration with the kawuneeche valley ecosystem restoration collaborative (KVERC), will study and design a suite of restoration projects within the kawuneeche valley aimed to return the landscape to a natural beaver-willow ecosystem. The kawuneeche valley is located in north-central colorado, along the headwaters of the colorado river within the boundaries of rocky mountain national park. Over the past three decades, ELK and moose browsing has reduced the density and area of the valleys native tall willow stands, severely limiting material for beaver DAM construction, leading the species to leave the area. As a result, the valley landscape has changed from one of the most significant wetlands in colorado into an unnatural grassland ecosystem. This project will develop design interventions to limit browsing animals from the restoration area, remove invasive species and establish beaver DAM analogues, to recreate the natural wetland habitat and stream function. These activities will increase water tables, reduce sediment in the streams, improve other water quality concerns associated with erosion, and entice beaver reintroduction to the valley. This study and design project is for one phase of a multi-phase restoration activity with anticipated benefits to 200 acres of wetlands and riparian habitat. The project is supported by colorado state university, the national park service, state and local governmental agencies, and conservation groups.