SWan River RESTORATION

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. 

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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. The County is continuing their gravel excavation operations on reach B and hope to begin restoration efforts in that section in 2020. 

The continuation of the restoration project into the upper reaches C and D is still to be determined, and BRWG intends to play a leading role in that effort.

To learn more about the project, go to:
RestoretheSwanRiver.com 
Summit County Swan River Restoration Project Blog

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

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​​​

Page header photo courtesy of Zach Mahone.