River Health Assessment Framework (RHAF)

 

About The River HEalth Assessment Framework (RHAF)

Previous RHAF efforts have given the upper and middle sections of the Poudre River a grade and have assessed the lower Poudre (no grade was given).

To aid in understanding, protecting, and improving the health of the Cache la Poudre River, a partnership of organizations and scientists convened in 2015 to create the River Health Assessment Framework (RHAF). Its goal: to assess the physical, chemical, and biological conditions of the Poudre River.

The RHAF was developed to meet the needs of land managers, community members, policymakers, river advocates, scientists, and others concerned about the state of the Poudre River and the myriad of challenges the river faces. It incorporates eight years of field assessments from the river’s headwaters to its confluence with the South Platte River. The RHAF provides a unified and consistent approach to collecting data and monitoring river health to guide restoration and management actions for the entire watershed.

Results from previous RHAF assessments have informed major river restoration projects, water quality protection efforts, and watershed master planning. These actions have improved the health of the Poudre River and its ability to provide services to the over 500,000 people in the river’s watershed.

The RHAF will help all stakeholders in Northern Colorado collectively take action to protect and restore river health and vital services to humans and the environment.

 

The Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed (CPRW) developed this River Health Assessment Framework (RHAF) with a diverse group of partners and funders who made this project possible. The project team would like to give special thanks to past, present, and future community members who work tirelessly to support the Cache la Poudre River (Poudre River).

Contributing Authors

  • Hally Strevey, Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed

  • Cory Dick, Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed

  • Jared Heath, City of Fort Collins Utilities

  • Richard Thorp, City of Fort Collins Utilities

  • Julia Feder, City of Fort Collins Natural Areas

  • Bernadette Kuhn, City of Fort Collins Natural Areas

  • RHAF development was supported by previous work from Johnson Environmental Consulting and Stillwater Sciences

Editing and Graphic Design

  • Megan Maiolo-Heath, Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed (Graphic design)

  • Garfinkel + Associates (Technical editing)

Partners

  • Andy Herb, Alpine Eco

  • Kelen Dowdy, City of Greeley Water & Sewer

  • Becky Pierce, Colorado Department of Transportation

  • Joanna Lemly, Colorado Natural Heritage Program

  • Dr. Matt Ross, Colorado State University

  • Dr. Sharon Bywater-Reyes, University of Northern Colorado

  • David Rees, Timberline Aquatics

Funders

  • City of Fort Collins

  • Colorado Water Conservation Board

  • Mighty Arrow Family Foundation