The Development and Application of Hydroseres for Riparian and Wetland Restoration on the Colorado River in Grand Junction: A Means of Increasing Resolution in the Design Phase and Enhancing Success in the Construction Phase; John Giordanengo

 

 

 

 

John Giordanengo¹*, Sarah Smith¹

 

¹AloTerra Restoration Services, LLC, Fort Collins, CO, USA; john@aloterraservices.com, sarah@aloterraservices.com

 

 

The distribution of vegetation across riparian and wetland areas is influenced by frequency of flood disturbance, groundwater hydrology, soil conditions, shade, and other variables. The consistency of these variables on a spatial scale and over time often leads to the development of predictable hydroseres (i.e., vegetation zones) across floodplains. However, defining these hydroseres well among engineers, ecologists, landscape architects, and other practitioners often poses challenges in the design process. Practitioners are tasked to develop and communicate riparian restoration designs for a broad spectrum of stakeholders, and to develop formulaic approaches to prescribing treatments such that important project goals are met (e.g., mitigation requirements, wildlife benefits, bank stability, etc.). Considering the need for efficient design and construction processes, the use of a design system that relates plant palettes and seed mixes to a hydrologic point of reference (e.g., bankfull elevation, growing season groundwater, normal pond, etc.) has important practical implications, especially when working among diverse design team members. This talk will present a conceptual design for riparian and wetland areas of James M. Robb Colorado River State Park (CPW) using bankfull elevation as the hydrologic point of reference for the establishment of restoration hydroseres. We will also outline how plant palettes and seed mixes are designed relative to these hydroseres, and share key technical tips based on 23 years of experience in Colorado.