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Town of Carbondale
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Crystal River Restoration
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& Weaver Ditch Enhancement Project
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REVIEW CONCEPTSThe project team has drawn up two conceptual schemes. Restoration and passive user experience improvements shown in the Level 1 scheme are generally more primitive and simpler in nature. In the Level 2 scheme, there would be more riparian and in-stream restoration improvements, and the passive user experience of the park would include ADA access, loop trails, and generally have a more formal in character. Any individual element from either level of improvement could be designed to fit the wildland character of the park.
Please note: Individual design elements are completely interchangeable between the two schemes. Please be specific in your comments as to which elements you prefer.
View All PLANNING DOCUMENTS |
COMMENTPublic comment on the project was accepted between April 22, 2019 and May 24th, 2019. Stay tuned to this website for future project updates.
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BACKGROUND
The Town of Carbondale with partners, Aspen Valley Land Trust, Roaring Fork Conservancy, American Rivers, Colorado Parks & Wildlife, Public Counsel of the Rockies, and Trout Unlimited, invite members of the public to participate in the planning process for restoring a one-half mile long reach of the Crystal River along the town-owned Riverfront Park in River Valley Ranch.
Riverfront Park lies between the Carbondale Fish Hatchery and Crystal Bridge Drive. This reach of the Crystal River was identified by the 2016 Crystal River Management Plan as being severely to unsustainably impaired.
This project aims to restore ecological integrity, improve channel stability, create a low-maintenance Weaver Ditch diversion structure, and enhance the passive user experience of the adjacent wildland park.
In 2018, a consultant team comprised of River Restoration, DHM Design, and Lotic Hydrologic (all of Carbondale, CO) conducted a thorough site survey and analysis of the reach to identify which parts of the river and riparian system were functioning in a healthy way, and which parts were not.
On April 24, 2019, the consultant team presented the results of their site assessment, along with conceptual restoration and enhancement alternatives to the public. Public comments were accepted between 4/22/2019 and 5/24/2019. Stay tuned for this website for future updates on the project.
Riverfront Park lies between the Carbondale Fish Hatchery and Crystal Bridge Drive. This reach of the Crystal River was identified by the 2016 Crystal River Management Plan as being severely to unsustainably impaired.
This project aims to restore ecological integrity, improve channel stability, create a low-maintenance Weaver Ditch diversion structure, and enhance the passive user experience of the adjacent wildland park.
In 2018, a consultant team comprised of River Restoration, DHM Design, and Lotic Hydrologic (all of Carbondale, CO) conducted a thorough site survey and analysis of the reach to identify which parts of the river and riparian system were functioning in a healthy way, and which parts were not.
On April 24, 2019, the consultant team presented the results of their site assessment, along with conceptual restoration and enhancement alternatives to the public. Public comments were accepted between 4/22/2019 and 5/24/2019. Stay tuned for this website for future updates on the project.
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TIMELINE• Data collection -2018
• Site Assessment - 2018 • Conceptual Design & Public Comment - April 2019 • Preliminary Design & Permitting – Summer/Fall 2019 • Fundraising – Begin Fall 2019 • Final Design – Winter/Spring 2020 • Bid and Construction – Late Summer/Fall 2020 |
PROJECT GOALS1) RESTORE THE CRYSTAL RIVER
Develop a long term, self-sustaining solution to improve river channel stability, fish habitat, and spawning areas by promoting conditions that support and enhance instream biotic structure and diversity.
2) RESTORE THE RIPARIAN ZONE
Restore the ecological integrity of the riparian zone through streambank stabilization, reconnection of the floodplain, and replace invasive weed communities and plant monocultures with healthy and diverse riparian plant regimes, while preserving healthy bird and wildlife habitat.
3) IMPROVE THE WEAVER DITCH DIVERSION
Create a self-sustaining diversion and head gate structure for the Weaver Ditch to function as part of the river system while improving the water delivery for the Town of Carbondale and consistent with future ditch improvements and efficiencies.
4) ENHANCE THE WILDLAND PARK
Enhance passive user experiences of Riverfront Park through interpretive signs, trails, gathering spaces, and educational programs. |
PROJECT PARTNERS
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