Blue River Stream Restoration and Aquatic Habitat Improvements

Project Highlights:

• Client: Town of Silverthorne, Colorado
• Drainage: Approximately 1.4 miles of the Blue River through town of Silverthorne
• Phase I awarded the 2003 Colorado Trout Unlimited Stream Enhancement Project of the Year
• Cut a new channel within the existing sized to provide optimal trout habitat during reduced flows
• Created habitat variety using a combination of meanders, in-stream structures and varying flow conditions
• Elevated width to depth ratio resulting in a stream that was out of its natural dynamic equilibrium, corrected by creating a meandering low flow channel natural in its appearance and function
• Establishing riffle, pool and glide sections within the low flow channel and armoring the banks in a natural manner returned the stream to a stable width to depth ratio
• Prior to restoration, water stretched from bank to bank during low flows resulting in shallow water depths that were not conducive to aquatic habitat