Carson National Forest, NM
This project on the Rio San Antonio spans approximately 3 miles and employs a diversity of restoration techniques aimed at improving water quality, specifically reducing stream temperatures and E. coli loading. Work was completed with funding from the NM Environment Department and support from the Carson National Forest.
Summer 2020: In-stream restoration structure installation
In June 2020, we installed 20 PALS (Post-Assisted Log Structures), 10 BDAs (Beaver Dam Analogs), and one rock structure to protect an eroding headcut. BDAs and PALS were constructed to increase channel complexity, provide habitat and stream shade, and facilitate sediment aggradation. BDAs additionally elevate the water table upstream of the structures, resulting in increased water storage capacity and increased riparian wetland area, and reduce shear-stress in high flows by allowing high flows to more readily access the historic flood plain and high flow channels, even during lower volume floods.
Fall 2020/Spring 2021: Elk exclosure construction and revegetation planting
Upstream of the structures installed in 2020 is a stretch of stream that has been denuded by cattle and elk browse. We protected approximately 4 acres of riparian area in this reach with two wildlife friendly elk exclosures and planted over 1,000 willow stems and 50 cottonwood poles within them.
