Spruce Creek rekindles its connection with wetlands in Summit County

Nov 22, 2022

What do you call a wetland without water? We’re trying not to find out!

In September 2022, Spruce Creek, a small perennial stream in Summit County managed within the Kremmling Field Office was reconnected to its floodplain and began to rehydrate over 22 acres of wetland habitat. Spruce Creek and nearby wetlands provide many benefits to the ecosystem, such as prime locations for moose, elk, beavers and habitat for genetically pure Colorado River Cutthroat Trout. Not only do wetlands provide habitat, but they naturally improve water quality, provide drought resiliency and well... they’re just beautiful!

A grassy area with bushes, trees, and vegetation. An area that would normally fill with fresh water has been dried out. — Before restoration, the wetlands were dry with very few pools of water available for local wildlife. Without a stream to supply water, the wetlands were unable to support the usual water level which is detrimental to life in the area.

A grassy area with bushes, trees, and vegetation. An area that was previously dried up has now been filled with freshwater from a nearby stream. — After restoration, we are already seeing progress and many pools have begun to refill and the wetlands are looking healthier than ever!

In 2014, a case of tularemia, also known as “rabbit fever”, wiped out the beavers in this area and the unmaintained dams began to fail. Since beaver dams enhance wetlands and elevate the water table, when they began to deteriorate, the wetlands also began to deteriorate. By 2019, there were only a few small pools of water left in the wetlands and most of the area was disconnected from Spruce Creek.

A grassy area with green vegetation and a pool of freshwater from a wetland. — Pooling and large areas of water are normal for wetlands and can indicate a healthy ecosystem. Wetlands can also be seasonal and may only be wet periodically. While even dry wetlands can serve a purpose – we are happy to see this wetland full of water after several years of deterioration!

Three people with tools work to restore the normal path of the stream so it attaches to the wetlands. — The BLM values the work our partners bring to your public lands. We couldn’t be more thrilled with the progress that has been made and the collaboration we have built in the local community with this project.

The BLM began to work with our partners in 2020 to restore the wetlands. The BLM and Blue Valley Ranch replaced a culvert with a bottomless arch culvert, improving stream connectivity below the wetland complex. The ranch also moved their irrigation diversion downstream, improving flows in occupied habitat for the Cutthroat Trout. Beaver Dam Analogs, manmade structures to mimic natural beaver dams and attract beavers, were proposed to improve pool habitat. To maximize the benefits of the dams, the BLM worked with private landowners to build structures on both BLM and private lands. With help from Partners for Fish and Wildlife, EcoMetrics, Colorado Open Lands, Friends of the Lower Blue River, Upper Colorado River Watershed Group, and Rocky Mountain Youth Corps interns, we were able to construct 75 dam structures over a two-week period.

Two images compare the differences from before the restoration to after the restoration. The photo on the left is sparse, with very few areas of water, while the photo on the right has several pools and streams. — Before (left) and after (right) comparisons have shown many pools and areas of flowing water rebuilding the wetlands. Although these photos were taken in different seasons, you can see many new pools of water after the restoration project!

This restoration work has allowed Spruce Creek to reconnect with wetlands and the future looks promising for this ecosystem! Not only are we proud to support the environment on your public lands, but we are grateful to have wonderful local partners who understand the importance of our mission and providing the best public land experience possible.