Press Releases

Groundbreaking stream repair begins in Colorado

Prominent hydrologist designed restoration

MORRISON, Colo. – Prominent hydrologist Dave Rosgen is breaking ground on a project to restore a section of Trail Creek, which flows into to the Upper South Platte River.  This area burned intensely during the Hayman Fire and continues to produce sediment flows that are 16 times greater than before the fire almost 10 years ago.

“This project is the most comprehensive fire restoration project targeted to critical watersheds in which I have engaged,” said Rosgen.   “It will be training ground for how watershed restoration is addressed in the Hayman fire area, and potentially throughout the country.” As the founder of Wildland Hydrology, Rosgen’s approach is EPA-approved and well respected throughout the international hydrological community.

The Hayman Restoration Project was launched in 2009 by the National Forest Foundation (NFF), in partnership with Vail Resorts and the U.S. Forest Service, to restore critical watersheds that continue to produce inordinate amounts of sediment into the Denver Metro water supply.  Aurora Water joined in this partnership in 2011, and has directly contributed to Rosgen’s work.

“Mr. Rosgen’s expertise is unmatched. By pulling our resources together within the framework of this partnership the U.S. Forest Service and the Coalition for the Upper South Platte River are able to apply these internationally-recognized techniques to a particularly problematic section of this watershed,” said Kim Langmaid, NFF Colorado Program Director.

“We are so proud to help fund work that will have a dramatic and immediate impact here in Colorado while changing how wildfire restoration is approached across the country, “ said Beth Ganz, vice-president of public affairs and sustainability for Vail Resorts.

Forest Supervisor Jeri Marr welcomes the application of Rosgen’s restoration concepts.  “We hold high expectations for this stream restoration and sediment reduction plan as we approach the 10th anniversary of the Hayman Fire.  We hope to reduce sediment flow in areas restored within the Trail Creek watershed by 80 percent in the first year,” said Marr, Pike and San Isabel National Forests, and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands.