Point-Based Mitigation

Post-Fire Restoration projects to protect Poudre River water quality and supply

Contour wattles help to reduce hillslope erosion and catch sediment.

CPRW is working with partners to address critical post-fire issues in high-priority watersheds that were impacted by the historic Cameron Peak Fire of 2020. Following large-scale fires like Cameron Peak, burn areas have a higher potential for increased runoff, stream flows and erosion in streams and gullies, causing water quality issues that persist for many years.

CPRW and local partners are installing point-based Best Management Practices (BMPs) in key locations that are intended to help slow future pulses of sediment and promote deposition (laying down) of sediment in floodplains.

Types of BMPs used may include:

contour wattles & live willow wattles
log jams
tree felling
single key log installation
willow/riparian vegetation staking
stream debris fence
native rock stabilization
Post-assisted log structures (PALS)
Beaver Dam Analogs (BDAs)

For questions about post-fire restoration please contact Taryn Contento, Post-Fire & Rivers Project Manager, taryn@poudrewatershed.org.

Project Goals

Mitigate the negative consequences of the wildfire to high-priority watershed values including water quality and supply, riverscape function and health, and to reduce flood impacts to downstream communities.
Use a collaborative process and science-based hazard and field assessments to prioritize areas of concern and develop mitigation opportunities and concept plans
Build and maintain community and landowner outreach and education program to increase understanding of post-fire issues and techniques.
Implement critical research and monitoring with partners to track outcomes and increase post fire management decision making.
Expand CPRW’s existing Community Science Water Quality Monitoring program to include post-fire restoration sites to add increased capacity and engage the community around important water quality issues.