BLUE RIVER WATERSHED GROUP
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swan  river  restoration

SWan River RESTORATION

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BRWG is a leading partner in the Swan River Restoration Project along with Summit County, the Town of Breckenridge, the U.S. Forest Service, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Colorado Trout Unlimited - Gore Range Chapter, the Colorado Water Conservation Board, and the Friends of the Dillon Ranger District. This collaborative, multi-phase project is located in the upper Swan River drainage near the Town of Breckenridge and is designed to address damage caused to the Swan River as a result of historical dredge mining. The project area is generally devoid of natural vegetation and ecological function, with large piles of dredge rock materials causing the water to flow underground through parts of the stream corridor. The goals of the project are to:
  • Restore stream and floodplain functions to over three miles of the Swan River and surrounding areas
  • Reconnect the North, Middle and South Forks of the Swan River with a natural, stable stream channel and enhance the adjacent riparian and upland areas.
  • Restore a self-sustaining trout fishery and create habitat for a diversity of native wildlife.
  • Provide educational opportunities and demonstrate restoration techniques for streams degraded by historic dredge mining.
  • Enhance public open space and opportunities for water and trail based recreation activities.
 
The restoration area is divided into 4 construction reaches: A, B, C and D. 

This collaborative effort, spearheaded by BRWG, led to the completed restoration of reach A in 2017. Monitoring results have shown the new channel is responding appropriately to new flows; soils and plant materials are becoming established; and stream habitat (e.g., riffles, pools, stream bed substrate, etc.) is functioning and developing as intended. Summit County completed reach B as well and we hope to begin restoration efforts on the second half of the project. 
The continuation of the restoration project into the upper reaches C and D is ongoing, with BRWG partnering with Trout Unlimited to restore stream connectivity from the confluence with the Blue River up to the Swan River headwaters.

For Project Plans, Videos, Reports & Photos, go to:
Summit County Swan River Restoration Project Page

Preliminary Design Report from 2013, download:
2013 Swan River Preliminary Design Report.pdf
File Size: 2294 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

News about the project:

  • Swan River restoration in Breckenridge works toward natural course.
  • The Swan River Restoration Project made significant progress in 2018, but hits significant speed bump​​​
  • Swan River Restoration project closer to restoring riparian ecosystem in Upper Blue River Valley​​​
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Page header photo courtesy of Zach Mahone.

Mailing Address:
​P.O. Box 867
Silverthorne, CO  80498
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Donate

​Email: 
[email protected]
Phone: 
719-209-9577
​BRWG is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization EIN 20-1771307. Our nonprofit designation letter can be downloaded here. 
​
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Mission
    • Meet our Team
    • Annual Report
    • Employment Opportunities
  • What We Do
    • Current Projects
    • Integrated Water Management Plan
    • Blue River Habitat Restoration Project
    • Wildfire Ready Watersheds
    • Summit County Outdoor Coalition
    • Citizen Science
    • Swan River Restoration
    • Swan River: Native Cutthroat Preservation
    • Completed Projects
  • Support
    • How to Support Us
    • Blue River Legacy Giving
    • Giving Season Toolkit
  • Events
    • Calendar of Events
    • Water In The West
    • Blue River Festival
  • Blue River Beta
    • Links for flow and forecasts
    • Watershed Facts
    • Database of research
    • More Information