Stream/Wetland Restoration and Enhancement

Cherry Creek Riparian Enhancement Demonstration Project

USDA Tonto National Forest

Cherry Creek is a perennial stream draining approximately 200 square miles of the Mogollon Rim escarpment.  This project provided a demonstration site for the education of public and private land managers in effective stream restoration techniques.  The project resulted in an increased stability threshold for Cherry Creek, enabling more effective functioning under a variety of flow conditions, as well as an enhanced riparian community.

Coronado National Monument Road and Channel Repair

National Park Service  

The roads at this National Monument had experienced substantial monsoon damage from multiple steep drainages.  This project was designed to repair and upgrade the road system.  NCD provided design and maintenance templates for stream channel excavation and stabilization in the areas of water and sediment damage to the roads.

Cottonwood Creek Restoration Project

Coronado RC & D

This project included installation of 750-800 rock structures throughout the Cottonwood Creek watershed uplands, and the development and implementation of grazing management and fencing plans, to increase the duration of annual stream flow and the enhancement of watershed riparian areas.

Hart Prairie Permeable Road

The Nature Conservancy

Compaction of existing unpaved roads restricted the subsurface flow of wetland meadows. The project included design of a road with permeable sections to maintain natural hydrology.

Hunters Hole Restoration

Yuma Crossing Heritage Area – Fred Phillips Consulting

Pilot project to enhance native riparian habitats along the Limitrophe Reach of the Lower Colorado River. The project area contains approximately 435 acres of degraded habitats dominated by tamarask plants. The project was complicated by inter-State water rights, border security issues, and a highly regulated stream system. NCD prepared the hydraulic model and engineering design for the project.

Limitrophe Restoration Concept Plan

Environmental Defense

Development of a Conceptual Restoration Design for 23 miles of the Lower Colorado River below Yuma, Arizona. This reach of the river serves as the International Boundary between Mexico and the U.S.

Little Colorado River Riparian Enhancement Demonstration Project

Apache Natural Resources Conservation District

The primary objectives were to restore the natural stability and function to the stream channel, and to enhance the riparian vegetation community.  The secondary objective was to provide a demonstration of bioengineering and other low-impact, non-structured stream restoration practices for local landowners.  The project area included approximately 3,600 feet of stream channel and associated floodplains, which contained extensive bank erosion and riparian vegetation damage from livestock grazing.

Montezuma Castle NM Bank Stabilization

National Park Service

Stabilization of a historic bank area using toe rock and bioengineering techniques.

NO-Bar Ranch Low Water Stream Crossing

Jenkins Family and US Fish and Wildlife Service

An existing road crossing had reduced stream function and resulted in channel incision that restricted the ability for fish passage. The project assessed the existing crossing, designed an effective alternative design, and constructed a new crossing.

Santa Clara River Master Plan

Washington County Water Conservancy District

This master planning effort included 40 miles of the Santa Clara River in the communities of St. George and Santa Clara, Utah. The plan included recommendations for stable stream channel morphology, transportation corridors, land uses, bank stabilization practices, development restrictions, habitat enhancement sites, and identified problem areas.

Verde River Bank Stabilization

Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community

Plans will be developed to improve erosion reduction along a 2.5 mile reach of the Verde River near the confluence with the Salt River.  Plans will include management techniques to be utilized by the tribe to maintain stabilization of the area.

Whitewater Creek Restoration

Golder Associates

Project goals were the restoration of proper function and enhanced riparian plant communities along 1.5 miles of Whitewater Creek in Bayard, New Mexico. The creek is intermittent and impacted by decades of old excess sediment from upstream mining operations.

Wilkins’ Family LCR Riparian Enhancement

Phelps and Kay Wilkins

Project included assessment and design of bank stabilization and enhancement of the aquatic and riparian habitats along 2.5 miles of private property along the Little Colorado River.

Willow Wash Restoration

The Arboretum at Flagstaff

Creation of riparian and wetland habitat demonstration along an ephemeral stream channel at the Arboretum in Flagstaff, Arizona. The project included the creation of a seasonal or ephemeral wetland.

Yuma East Wetland – Arizona Game and Fish 21 Acre Project

Arizona Game and Fish Department

Prepare design and construction plans for spillway structures and a grassed waterway for stable conveyance of MODE drainage water to the South Channel of the Yuma East Wetlands, and safely outleting to the Colorado River.

X-Diamond Ranch LCR Enhancement

X-Diamond Ranch

Project included assessment and design of bank stabilization and enhancement of the aquatic and riparian habitats along 1 mile of private property along the Little Colorado River.  The establishment of aquatic habitats to benefit an existing “blue ribbon” trout fishery was the primary goal of this project.