Restoration in Progress on the Uncompahgre River
RiversEdge West is partnering with City of Montrose, Western Colorado Conservation Corps, and Friends of the River Uncompahgre to restore riverside (riparian) lands along the Uncompahgre River. Funding for this work is provided in part by City of Montrose, Colorado River District, Colorado Water Conservation Board, El Pomar Foundation and Western Colorado Community Foundation.
Riverside (riparian) ecosystems are a vital “ribbon of life,” supporting fish, wildlife—and us!
The Uncompahgre River is essential to Montrose. It offers recreational opportunities, provides a natural corridor for fish, wildlife, and native plants, supports the local economy through tourism, sustains farmland through irrigation, helps meet the city’s water needs, and enhances the well-being of local residents.
At the site where you scanned this QR code, invasive tamarisk and Russian olive are being removed to help restore the riverside habitat.
Invasive species can:
- Reduce plant and wildlife diversity and change the soil
- Block river access for recreation and create hazards in the river
- Change the river channel, decreasing fish habitat and impacting the ability to handle flood waters
- Increase the frequency and severity of wildfires
Restoration is a long process and can look messy!
You might see:
- Crews with chainsaws cutting down trees
- Piles of branches and trees that are waiting to be chipped
- Loud and noisy equipment
- Volunteers planting and watering native species marked with flagging
- Native plants beginning to grow back in
- A clearer view of the river and more diversity of wildlife
Learn more about RiversEdge West here.
Want to get involved? Friends of the River Uncompahgre (ForU) is developing a native plant watering program and could use your help! Learn more about that and other volunteer opportunities here. You can also email foru.montrose@gmail.com.