Completed Projects
2013 - 2016
Tenmile Creek restoration
From 2013-2016, BRWG, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, restored a crucial part of Tenmile Creek that had been heavily impacted by historic mining, timber harvesting, land use development, and railroad and highway construction. The project restored 2,800 linear feet of stream and rehabilitated 6 acres of associated stream banks, wetlands and floodplains. The project has enhanced floodplain connectivity, fish habitat quality, scenery, and wetlands function, and improved recreational opportunities and public access to Tenmile Creek. If you would like to see the birth of a new river channel, please review the photo gallery and video linked directly below.
Click to launch the video . . .
More Information and News articles about the Ten Mile Creek Restoration Project:
https://www.nationalforests.org/blog/phase-two-restoration-continues-on-tenmile-creek
https://www.summitdaily.com/news/near-copper-mountain-the-ten-mile-creek-restoration-project-takes-shape/
https://www.summitdaily.com/news/friends-of-the-dillon-ranger-district-plant-willows-on-ten-mile-creek/
https://www.nationalforests.org/blog/phase-two-restoration-continues-on-tenmile-creek
https://www.summitdaily.com/news/near-copper-mountain-the-ten-mile-creek-restoration-project-takes-shape/
https://www.summitdaily.com/news/friends-of-the-dillon-ranger-district-plant-willows-on-ten-mile-creek/
2010 - 2013
Brittle Silver Mine
Cinnamon Gulch split into three channels, one of which flowed through tailings below the Brittle Silver Mine. The Gulch was restructured so that there was only one channel which no longer flowed through the Brittle Silver Mine tailings, reducing the heavy metals pouring into Peru Creek.
BEFORE
2010 - 2013
Delaware Mine
Effluent from the old Delaware Mine flowed to an old pond. The pond was cleaned out and the flow channel to the pond was lined with limestone. A new culvert was placed below the road to kee p the water from flowing to the pond. Waste rock at the site was consolidated at the east end and the area revegetated.
BEFORE
AFTER
2010 - 2013
Silver Spoon Mine
Waste rock in the drainage channel was replaced along the sides of the channel and then the channel was lined with limestone. This keeps the water from flowing over material high in minerals. By not flowing through the waste rock, much of the mineral lode is avoided.
BEFORE
AFTER
2007 - 2010
Snake River Watershed Plan
In 2007, BRWG received a grant to develop a watershed plan for the Snake River, a tributary of the Blue River and one of the most disturbed basins in the state. The Plan, which was completed in 2010, identified many problems in the Basin, but concentrated on the ten worst problems. Of those, three have been worked on, including the Brittle Silver, the Delaware and the Silver Spoon Mines. The Plan as updated can be found on this website.
Click to review the Snake River Watershed Plan.
2011 - 2013
Swan River Restoration Design Planning
The upper Swan River Drainage, near the Town of Breckenridge, has been heavily impacted by historical dredge mining and is generally devoid of natural vegetation and ecological function. In 2009, Summit County developed a conceptual plan for restoration of over one mile of stream through 50 acres of land owned by Summit County on the lower reaches of the river. The general goal of the restoration project is to remove the mine tailings, restore the river channel, and return the river and surrounding riparian corridor to its natural and functioning state.
In 2011-2012, BRWG developed a concept plan for restoration of the upper reaches of the Swan River, which lie mostly on US Forest Service, Town of Breckenridge and privately-owned lands, and are contiguous with the project area from the 2009 Summit County concept plan. In 2013, BRWG received funding from the Colorado Water Conservation Board and completed a Preliminary Design Plan for the restoration project, combining and integrating the previously completed concept plans from 2009 and 2012. The Design Plan ensured continuity and compatibility of restoration activities across all landowners and created a master design for the entire project.
In 2011-2012, BRWG developed a concept plan for restoration of the upper reaches of the Swan River, which lie mostly on US Forest Service, Town of Breckenridge and privately-owned lands, and are contiguous with the project area from the 2009 Summit County concept plan. In 2013, BRWG received funding from the Colorado Water Conservation Board and completed a Preliminary Design Plan for the restoration project, combining and integrating the previously completed concept plans from 2009 and 2012. The Design Plan ensured continuity and compatibility of restoration activities across all landowners and created a master design for the entire project.
Header photo curtesy of John Fielder