Boulder County Creek Recovery & Restoration Program - December 2015 Update

Boulder County Colorado sent this bulletin at 12/22/2015 03:39 PM MST

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Photo of flood overtaking the Town of Lyons

Boulder County Creek Recovery & Restoration Program - December 2015 Update

2015 Accomplishments

Boulder County’s Creek Recovery and Restoration Program is continuing the long-term watershed recovery effort by seeking funding for flood risk reduction and stream restoration projects, overseeing project implementation, and continuing to partner and coordinate with stakeholders and residents in the community.

We have now completed the planning process. In total, there are seven post-flood watershed master plans for flood-affected watersheds in Boulder County. With the funding we have received so far, we are now entering the design phase. We are also in the planning stages for project implementation as funding is identified. See below for more information about our progress in 2015 and our plans for 2016!

Creek Restoration Grant Awards
Boulder County is pursuing funding for stream recovery and restoration projects on Parks and Open Space lands and property associated with the reconstruction of flood-damaged county roads and bridges. As of December 2015, the county has been awarded funding for the following projects*

Project Implementation Begins

North St. Vrain Creek Collaborative Restoration Project

The design process is now complete for the North St. Vrain Creek Collaborative Restoration Project. The design plans can be accessed on the project’s website. In partnership with the City of Longmont, we will be restoring a 1,800 foot section of North St. Vrain Creek below the Button Rock Dam. The restoration project will focus on stabilizing the creek and improving the aquatic environment by creating a low flow channel and wetland bench. The project will be implemented in conjunction with the reconstruction of Longmont Dam Road and construction will begin in early 2016.

Left Hand Creek

As Central Federal Lands (CFL) completes road reconstruction of Lefthand Canyon Drive, adjacent areas of Left Hand Creek will be restored as well. CFL is working with stakeholders in the watershed to develop the design plans and move into restoration activities. After road reconstruction is complete, Boulder County will complete a revegetation project.

Fourmile Canyon Creek Designs for Restoration

The designs for the restoration of Fourmile Canyon Creek are nearly complete. The designs will be finalized in January 2016. Fourmile Canyon Creek has been identified as an eligible project for the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program (see the Funding Opportunity section below). Boulder County is considering local sponsorship of this project, which would be completed in conjunction with the reconstruction of Wagonwheel Gap Road. Boulder County will be working with property owners to obtain permission to complete stream restoration work on private property.

Lower Boulder Creek Watershed Master Plan

The Lower Boulder Creek Master Plan is now complete. The drainageway planning study provides general guidance for stream and ecological restoration for Boulder Creek from Fourmile Creek to St. Vrain Creek. The final plan is posted on the CRR website. The projects identified in this plan can now be considered for inclusion in the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) or funded through other sources such as the EWP.

Watershed Coalitions

The watershed coalitions in Boulder County have developed significantly in 2015. The coalitions are focused on capacity building, project identification and implementation, fundraising, and public engagement. Boulder County continues to participate in the coalitions, coordinate projects with coalition member organization, and collaborate on funding strategies. Residents are encouraged to get involved in these organizations:

Little Thompson River- Little Thompson Watershed Restoration Coalition (LTWRC)

St. Vrain Creek- St. Vrain Creek Coalition

Left Hand Creek- Lefthand Watershed Oversight Group

Fourmile Creek- Fourmile Watershed Coalition

Lower Boulder Creek- Urban Drainage and Flood Control District

Upper Coal Creek- Coal Creek Canyon Watershed Partnership

2016 Activities

Stream Restoration Designs

The CRR anticipates a lot of progress in restoring Boulder County’s watershed in the upcoming year. In addition to completing projects that began in 2015, we plan to complete stream restoration designs for areas adjacent to planned road reconstruction including Fourmile Creek, Gold Run, James Creek, Little James Creek, and Geer Creek. In addition, stream restoration designs will be completed Hall Ranch and Breaches 1, 2, and 5-9 on Boulder County Parks and Open Space property. These designs will allow Boulder County to move quickly into construction as funding is secured for project implementation.

Funding Opportunity: Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program

The National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) has allocated $27.7 million for watershed restoration projects in Boulder County through the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP). All EWP projects must:

• Reduce threats to lives and property

• Be economically, environmentally, and socially defensible

• Be designed and implemented according to sound technical standards

• Conserve natural resources

Working through the watershed coalitions, NRCS identified top priority projects that meet the criteria for EWP funds through Damage Survey Reports (DSR). The DSRs have been provided to the coalitions and are being reviewed by coalition participants. In order to move forward, projects will need a local sponsor (a government agency or local non-profit organization) that will contribute 12.5% match funds, implement the project, and work with property owners to obtain permission for the projects. Boulder County is considering local sponsorship of EWP projects that are on Parks and Open Space property or those associated with the reconstruction of flood-damaged county roads and bridges. The county is also continuing to work with the watershed coalitions to determine how Boulder County can support the watershed coalition’s priority projects.

The EWP funds will allow implementation of many of the most important projects identified in the watershed master plans. Stay tuned for more details!

For more information, please visit www.BoulderCountyCreekPlan.org or contact Stacey Proctor at sproctor@bouldercounty.org or 303-441-1107.