At a Glance
The stabilization of Tarryall Creek restored prime trout habitat, returned willows to the riparian corridor, and greatly reduced sediment production in the creek.
Project Description
Biohabitats was retained by Colorado Open Lands, a land conservation organization, to restore portions of Tarryall Creek along a two-mile reach that flowed through a working ranch. This narrow stream valley had been used for grazing and hay cutting for over 100 years. The riparian buffer contained only sporadic clumps of willows, and the stream banks were severely eroded.
The goals of this design-build project were to stabilize eroding banks, re-establish a natural riparian buffer, and provide habitat for trout. A stable reach of Tarryall Creek on private fishing club land was measured and utilized as a reference reach. Biohabitats obtained the 404 permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and approval from the Colorado Department of Wildlife.
The design restored a stable pattern and dimension to the degraded reaches while maintaining the existing, stable riffle/pool sequences. Trees and boulders from another location on the ranch were harvested and used to construct log vanes, rootwads, and large, woody debris. These structures, along with gravel/cobble point bar material and transplanted willow clumps, were combined to stabilize eroding banks while also creating cover for trout.