Wildcat Creek, home to unique Colorado River Cutthroat DNA, faced a pressing need for preservation amid the looming threat of climate-induced aridification. Recognizing the stream's vulnerability to de-watering, Dolores River Anglers Chapter of TU, Colorado Parks & Wildlife, and the San Juan National Forest collaborated with the Upper Dolores Stream Protection Working Group to employ Low-tech, Process-based Stream Restoration (LTPB). Their goal was to augment the number and scale of refuge pockets and pools along the creek, utilizing locally available resources and a primary technique—log pour-over structures—to guide natural processes and fortify the stream's resilience during low water periods.
The strategic placement of log pour-over structures, modeled after natural occurrences when trees fall into the stream, emerged as a crucial mechanism in the fight against climate change-induced challenges. These structures, essential tools for small stream climate change resilience, significantly expanded the availability of drought refuges, fostering resilience in Wildcat Creek. They meticulously selected four sites along the stream based on specific channel characteristics, distributional distance, and available natural anchors to implement the log pour-over structures.
The collaborative effort involved an on-site project spanning seven days, including dedicated volunteers, staff from the San Juan National Forest, and contracted Southwest Conservation Core (SCC) members. A labor-intensive process involved carefully transporting, placing, adjusting, and backfilling the selected logs to create these essential structures. The successful execution of this project, aimed at preserving Wildcat Creek's unique genetic legacy, was made possible through the invaluable support of organizations like Colorado Trout Unlimited and the Colorado Watershed Alliance.
