Mark Pscheid sent these photos of the willow stakes we cut.  The ones planted by BFC and the ones planted by the contractor are all doing well.

Tim

On June 21, I was joined by JD Fant, Kurt Soderberg, Jack Jostes, Mark Pscheid, and Fred Frankel to cut and stake willows for the Upper South Boulder Creek project.  It was an enjoyable and productive outing.  We cut over 500 stakes to be used later for bank stablization, and we cut and staked an additional 200 to restore an area where whole willow clumps had been harvested.  Many thanks to the volunteers!

Tim

Today, Keith Hesse, Greg Biesecker, Allen Nakagawa and I volunteered to help the U.S. Forest Service with their youth fishing outing in the Brainard Recreation Area. Colorado Parks and Wildlife was also represented.  It was a beautiful day, the kids were lots of fun, and fishing wasn’t real great.  I think everyone had a good time.

Tim

On May 15, Frank Selto and I joined Corey Engen (Flywater), Blair Vajda (Walsh), Ben Swigle (CPW) and Chris Carroll (USFS) for a final inspection of the USBC project.  All the construction looked very good.  Follow up work needed:

Moffat area: seeding, erosion control matting, and willow staking on the creek bank: – Flywater

Moffat area: willow cutting for stream bank (200) – Boulder Flycasters

Moffat area: willow cutting and restaking in USFS area (30?) – Boulder Flycasters

Jumbo Mountain area: rough-in 4 access points – Flywater

Jumbo Mountain area: willow staking – perhaps 20 if we think necessary.

Once we are notified the contractor is going to the site for seeding, we’ll be asking for 10 volunteers for a day of willow cutting and staking – should have 10 days or more lead time.

We just completed our grant application to Colorado Healthy Rivers Fund for the Jenny Creek project.  The completed application is located at: https://www.dropbox.com/s/cvcbb0l6wyc8aqt/CHRF%20-%20Jenny%20Ck%20v2.3.pdf

Copy and past works for the link.

Jenny Creek is a South Boulder Creek tributary originating in the Rollins Pass area.  Over the years a section of the stream has rerouted onto an Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) trail.  The result is that about 7/10 of a mile of fish habitat and migration has been virtually ruined.  The United States Forest Service approached Boulder Flycasters about partnering with them on a restoration effort.  Initial details of the project are described on the Boulder Flycasters web page under “conservation”.

Upper South Boulder Creek As Built Report Draft 030714

The Upper South Boulder Creek contractors: Flywater and Walsh have completed the draft of As-Built report for the project.  The final document should be completed this spring or early summer when the project is complete.

Mark Riley and I visited the Jumbo Mountain Picnic Area (now South Boulder Creek Interpretive area) to review construction progress.  We were hosted by Blair Hurst from Walsh Environmental.  So far:

Moffat Tunnel area construction is complete

South Boulder Creek Interpretive area

1. Rock staging complete
2. Willow staging and planting complete
3. 2 of 7 pools complete – should finish next week

So far it looks great!  Here are some pictures and a short video:

On March 16, Mark Riley and I traveled to the Moffat Tunnel area to check on progress.  We first underwent a railroad safety orientation (very interesting) and then toured the construction site.  So far:

• Rock harvesting from slope immediately south of the creek is complete (for Moffat and Jumbo)
• Several long riffle/pool areas were complete – looked very natural and fishy!
• Some whole willows were planted along the stream bed and bank stabilization was complete
• The Moffat area construction should complete next week and activities will move to Jumbo.
• All activities should complete by 11/8 – weather permitting
• Some willow cutting/staking will be done by BFC next spring – more to come later on this activity.
• Here is a link to Mark’s pictures: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/q5oddylhz34l6w7/kwZQ40hf1V