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Project Description: This
project restores a reach of Dixie Creek in Dixie Valley, a major
tributary to Red Clover Creek. The
main systemic head cut
that has been moving head ward from Red
Clover Valley since the 1950’s is currently located within the
project area. The landowner has attempted to halt the head cut in
years past with rock head cut treatments with little success. This
is expected to be a first phase that: 1) restores 2,000 feet of
functional channel/meadow while preventing additional loss of
functional meadow upstream; 2) serves as a demonstration project for
other adjacent landowners.
FR-CRM staff presented this project
to the Landowners Association in the summer of 2004. The concept
met with significant interest by other affected landowners who will
be watching the success of this project closely with an eye towards
developing further restoration phases.
The project entails eliminating
approximately 2,000 feet of gully channel, using the pond and plug
technique. This project would end at a natural valley constriction
at the downstream (north) end of the property. The project would be
anchored at this point with a moderate gradient, rock valley grade
structure. Stream flow would be diverted to existing remnant
channels on the meadow surface. The project is already well fenced
to prevent livestock from accessing the project area during
recovery. Project construction would be completed in fall 2007.
The
Dixie Creek Project will entail excavation of eight (8) ponds and
with the resultant material (approx. 13,000 yds3) used to
fill twelve (12) plugs to eliminate the gully. The stream flow that
was within the gully is re-directed into an existing remnant channel
at the
elevation of the meadow, resulting in a defined, continuous channel
throughout the length of the project. To minimize the footprint of
the project, the fill material from any pond is moved less than 300
feet to a plug.
The
primary function of the ponds is to provide the fill material for
the gully plugs. An ancillary benefit of the ponds is wildlife
habitat enhancement. In dry years, in these project areas,
sometimes pond water may be the only surface water available to
wildlife.
The plug elevations and widths are
designed to reduce the risk of head-cutting and surface erosion
during major overland flows. Project re-vegetation work focuses
primarily on the plugs. Prior to any excavation, topsoil and
vegetation is removed and stockpiled. This material is then spread
onto disturbed areas as the last step of construction. The native
seed bank and sod in that material initiates native re-vegetation.
Large plants are re-planted around ponds or plug margins or portions
of the remnant channel.
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