Skin Gulch

 
Skin Gulch - Before (Photo Credit: Lucas Mouttet)

Skin Gulch - Before (Photo Credit: Lucas Mouttet)

Skin Gulch - After (Photo Credit: Kate Hansen)

Skin Gulch - After (Photo Credit: Kate Hansen)

Project Overview

The Skin Gulch sub-watershed was severely burned during the High Park Fire followed by severe summer rains in 2012, 2013 and the 500+ year flood in September 2013. The September flood caused massive runoff events in Skin Gulch. This project was successfully completed in 2016 through a combination of heavy equipment and volunteer hand labor. The post-fire/flood restoration techniques and the collaboration efforts will serve as a model for future large-scale restoration projects for watersheds across the Front Range.

 

Project Accomplishments

  • Miles of Stream Corridor Designed and Treated: 5,746 feet (1.1 miles)

  • Acres Seeded, including mulch, erosion matting, and soil amendments: 6.85

  • Acres Weeded: approximately 4

  • Willow/cottonwood cuttings installed: Approximately 2,200

  • Container Stock Installed: 1,210

  • Structures Installed (instream and bioengineering): Pools (6), Grade Control (5), Toe Wall (3), Fascines (3), gulley structures (20).

  • Grading and Earthwork: included removal and redistribution of alluvium, channel relocation, floodplain conveyance improvements, and soil covered rip-rap.

  • Gullies Treated: 3 (approximately 150 feet)

 

Project Partners

  • AloTerra Restoration Services, LLC

  • Wildlands Restoration Volunteers

  • USFS Canyon Lakes Ranger District

 

Project Goals

  • Improve stream and floodplain function

  • Reduce sediment delivery to the Poudre River

  • Reduce in-channel aggradation

  • Enhance biological diversity

 

Completion date

Spring 2016