Water projects

Wildfire REady Watershed Action Plan (WRAP)

EVWC and other stakeholders are collaborating as a member of the Big Thompson Watershed Health Partnership (BTWHP) to develop a plan to support pre and post wildfire planning and actions in the watershed. A WRAP will help the partnership to prioritize pre and post wildfire planning actions in the watershed. To read more about wildfire ready watersheds and the program click here.

Completion Date: Estimated 2Q 2025

Phase I: Partnership meetings/agreements

Phase II: Data collection/analysis

Phase III: Final recommendations

Estes Valley Water/Habitat Monitoring

EVWC is working with partners, contractors, and scientists to measure and monitor the effects of riparian restoration projects on water and vegetation. By collecting measurements and camera trap data, we can track these changes over time and use adaptive management techniques to adjust our approach to current and future projects.

With the support of contractors and partners like the Colorado Water Conservation Board, EVWC has been collecting information on riparian restoration projects since 2017.

Completion Date: Ongoing

Big Thompson Watershed Health Partnership

EVWC is working with the BTWHP to collaborate with a group of organizations who are focused on resilience and watershed health in the greater Big Thompson Watershed system. The group’s mission is to achieve measurable progress towards long-term health and resilience of our watershed and it’s valuable assets by leveraging shared resources and taking collaborative action.

To read more about the BTWHP click here.

Currently the group is in the final phases of a Wildfire Ready Action Plan (WRAP) that will support ongoing wildfire mitigation efforts in the watershed.

Completion Date: Ongoing collaborative project.

fish creek restoration - PHase II

This project is a continuation of the floodplain reconnection and beaver meadow restoration that started in the fall of 2021, and is designed to:

• support drought and flood resilience

• reduce wildfire risk

• provide wildlife habitat.

This planning and design project will build on the 2018 and 2021 efforts to continue to restore beaver meadows along Fish Creek while reconnecting the floodplain and applying an adaptive management approach that will incorporate previous CSU findings and current monitoring.

In 2024, EVWC worked with volunteers and partners to continue restoration efforts through planting native stakes and making adjustments to the beaver meadow. This next year will be a continuation of collecting data and restoration efforts!

Completion Date: Estimated 4Q 2026

Phase I: Project Development

Phase II: Project Design/Funding

Phase III: Adaptive Management/Next Phase Designs