The RMFI mission consists of three separate, but highly interrelated components – stewardship, education, and research. What are mostly visible to the public are the stewardship and education pieces that are carried out through our volunteer-based, on-the-ground projects located on various public landscapes across southern Colorado. Equally important, however, is the research component being conducted behind the scenes, broadly assessing the effectiveness of restoration treatments and landscape change over time.

RMFI has a rich history in conducting restoration research at select project sites including Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, and the Hayman burn scar, and more recently began a research project in the Waldo Canyon burn scar in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service. This blog will give you more insight into perhaps a lesser-known component of RMFI’s work in the Waldo Canyon burn scar and might also help you answer your own questions about what impact the millions of dollars worth of restoration work have had on the burn scar’s recovery.

RMFI began monitoring select locations in the Waldo Canyon burn scar in 2014 to help the U.S. Forest Service determine the effectiveness of restoration treatments implemented with Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) funding. These treatments included the construction of several below-grade sediment detention basins as well as construction of hillslope stabilization structures and reseeding with native species. All structures ultimately help to minimize downstream sedimentation, which can threaten aquatic and riparian habitat and also pose severe downstream risks to life and safety. RMFI is currently in the process of conducting repeat measurements at all locations to allow for richer comparisons and assessments of change and recovery within the burn scar.

To date, a total of 38 sediment detention basins have been constructed within the Waldo Canyon burn scar on Forest Service managed lands. Sediment detention basins are below grade structures that reduce the flow of water and trap sediment. They can function as “borrow” pits for material used to fill active gullies, and can also help trap and disperse sediment to reconnect the floodplain and prevent the water table from lowering. Hillslope stabilization treatments including log-erosion barriers and reseeding help stabilize steep slopes and encourage revegetation and recovery of the burn scar.

Four monitoring locations were selected by U.S. Forest Service hydrologists (see map of locations below) and methods used to monitor the locations include longitudinal profile surveys, cross-section surveys, and monumented photopoints. In brief, longitudinal profile surveys enable evaluation of changes in slopes, streambed features, and channel aggradation (build up) or degradation (cutting). Cross-section surveys enable assessment of floodplain connectivity, changes in bed stability, channel enlargement, and lateral migration. Finally, photopoint monitoring is a standardized procedure developed by the U.S. Forest Service for taking precisely replicable photographs of areas that require long-term management. When combined with additional quantitative approaches, photopoints can be used to assess the success or failure of management decisions based on the use of clearly defined indicators and standards.

While we have not yet finished compiling and analyzing data for the measurements taken this year, we did analyze results from last year’s measurements. In summary, we found the longitudinal profile surveys conducted at the Upper Williams Canyon and Wellington Gulch sites where sediment detention basins were installed revealed minimal changes in channel gradient and a relatively stable channel bed for the duration of the monitoring period. In both locations, the sediment detention basins were functioning properly to capture sediment and reduce flow velocity.

The cross-section surveys conducted at the Upper Williams Canyon and Wellington Gulch sites revealed minimal changes to stream morphology or geometry. Bank location and channel width at each monitoring location remained relatively stable throughout the monitoring period. Cross-section surveys conducted at the Lower Williams Canyon site revealed relatively stable channel morphology and geometry, but more definitive locations of active bank erosion and degradation were observed.

Repeated photographs taken within the Camp Creek drainage suggested native vegetation was reestablishing itself on the hillslopes, the sediment detention basin was functioning properly to capture sediment originating from upstream reaches, and log-erosion barriers installed along the right bank of the basin were functioning to slow down water flows and minimize further rill erosion. Native vegetation seeded behind the log-erosion barriers was also establishing itself and helping to stabilize the soil surface.

By all accounts (and what the 2015 data are also supporting), the sediment detention basins and other restoration treatments constructed and implemented within the burn scar are functioning properly, are significantly aiding in the burn scar’s recovery, and are minimizing downstream risks to life and safety. While downstream communities like Manitou Springs continue to be inundated with high debris flows and flooding during substantial storm events, it is scary to think what the consequences would be if none of the basins had been constructed in the burn scar at all.

While significant investment has been made in restoration of the burn scar, the reality is that full recovery is still likely to take many many decades. To date, the U.S. Forest Service has supported a recovery approach that is heavy on the construction side of things. This approach has been necessary and beneficial in providing the initial emergency response and stabilization to jumpstart the recovery process. In recent discussions with the U.S. Forest Service, however, it is clear they’re intent on transitioning to a new phase of recovery, one that involves a longer-term and more sustainable strategy that is environmentally dynamic and focused on utilizing willow plantings and other vegetative treatments to begin building a base for increased resiliency within the burn scar into the future.

If you’re interested in taking a look at our 2014 monitoring report, please click here. We’ll have our 2015 results ready and posted in a few months so be on the look out!