Weber Riparian Rangeland Resilience FY26
Region: Northern
ID: 7395

Project Status: Current

Project Details

Riverscapes are the composition of stream channels and connected floodplain habitats within valley bottoms of watersheds. Throughout the western United States, tens of thousands of miles of riverscapes have been degraded, caused by structural starvation (e.g., loss of woody debris and channel meanders), through several mechanisms. In arid streams, historical overgrazing has led to this decline, but other factors such as flood control and infrastructure have also contributed. Degraded riverscapes are very efficient at draining water and mobilizing sediment. The goal of riverscape restoration is to reduce the efficiency through which water flows within tributary systems that contribute to mainstem rivers like the Weber River. Slowing the water as it flows through small watersheds increases sediment deposition and creates a heterogeneous flow path of water. By mimicking beaver dams, BDAs reintroduce structural complexity that historically existed within these watersheds, which feeds back to additional wood accumulation and recruitment in the stream channel. The environmental benefit of wood recruitment in the valley bottom includes the natural reconstruction of floodplains, improved distributed natural system storage, and wider riparian corridors. This leads to more diverse fish and macroinvertebrate habitat instream, and increased diversity for riparian-dependent bird species. Sediment deposited in response to beaver dam analogs also creates areas for milkweed to establish, providing food and habitat for Monarch butterflies, western bumblebee, and other imperiled pollinators throughout their life cycle.  Riverscape Restoration will be concentrated on arid mid-elevation tributaries because they have historically been overgrazed leading to long-term destabilization and downcutting (or channel degradation) which has dropped local water tables and mobilized massive volumes of sediment downstream.

Francis Creek is listed as impaired by the Division of Water Quality for E. coli and temperature. Additionally, this project is located within Greater sage-grouse habitat. This part of the project will focus on tree planting along a treeless section of Francis Creek just above Lost Creek Reservoir. Tree-planting promotes shading of the stream to decrease water temperatures, and healthy riparian vegetation can buffer the stream from pollutants such as  E. coli from nearby grazing. Planting trees and shrubs can also promote floodplain reconnection over time, restoring biodiverse wet meadows that Greater sage-grouse rely on for high quality food during brood-rearing.

Henefer/Echo Wildlife Management area provides crucial habitat for big-game species and important public access for wildlife related recreation in an area dominated by private land and limited access. The aspen stands on the WMA make up a relatively small portion of the property but are critical to provide summer range habitat on this public land. We have identified a 100 acre aspen stand that has begun to convert to oak/maple woodlands and could readily convert back to an aspen dominated forest patch. This project will aid in completing the mission of the UDWR and the Henefer/Echo WMA habitat management plan.

Disequilibrium of sediment deposition and sediment routing negatively affects the Lower Weber River and its tributaries. In some locations large erosion events wipe out what is left of the riparian buffer and carry large sediment loads into the river, negatively affecting water quality. Meanwhile, other locations experience sedimentation as sediment deposits across the entire width of the channel. This sedimentation prevents successful spawning of trout species like the Bonneville cutthroat trout. Reconnecting floodplains and stabilizing erosive banks in the Lower Weber River provides an opportunity to mimic reference reach conditions. Channel geometry can be designed to restore sediment competency, recover riparian vegetation, maintain or enhance floodplain connectivity, provide healthy fish habitat, and reduce unnatural sediment/nutrient inputs. This project proposes to implement three floodplain and bank stability projects in the Lower Weber River Basin and develop the design for another.
Another challenge faced by fishes and aquatic organisms in the Lower Weber River is the inability to access diverse habitats. Aquatic organisms benefit from an ability to migrate for various reasons that can be broadly placed in two groups -- 1) to carry out life-history events like spawning and 2) to seek refuge from unfavorable conditions. Therefore, reconnecting our fragmented streams can enhance watershed health and aquatic-organism populations by improving reproduction, recruitment, and survivability. This project proposes to remove two passage barriers that affect green sucker (formerly Bluehead Sucker), Bonneville cutthroat trout, and other fishes in the Lower Weber River Basin.

Provide evidence about the nature of the problem and the need to address it. Identify the significance of the problem using a variety of data sources. For example, if a habitat restoration project is being proposed to benefit greater sage-grouse, describe the existing plant community characteristics that limit habitat value for greater sage-grouse and identify the changes needed for habitat improvement.

Chalk Creek Process-based Restoration:
Trout Unlimited and Sageland Collaborative, along with our state and federal partners, will implement stream restoration projects utilizing low-tech process-based restoration on four tributaries in the Chalk Creek watershed covering approximately 3.5 miles of stream. The objective of this project is to introduce complexity to stream habitat and reduce the efficiency in which water moves through the system, ultimately capturing sediment, reducing nutrient loads, and introducing habitat diversity. This will be accomplished by constructing beaver dam analogs, structures that mimic the natural habitat complexity historically created by beavers. The projects will be implemented on Huff Creek (~115 BDAs), Lodgepole Creek (~120 BDAs), Branch Creek (~56 BDAs), and Hay Hollow(~50 BDAs).

Trout Unlimited will provide project oversight, collect drone imagery, purchase materials, and procure contractors that will be responsible for installing the posts for BDAs into the stream bed. Sageland Collaborative will secure the necessary permits, provide project oversight, conduct preliminary Rapid Stream Riparian Assessment surveys, and in collaboration with Trout Unlimited, organize and host community volunteer events to construct the BDAs.

TU & UDWR: 
Improve and protect riparian buffers and floodplain access at two locations on the mainstem Weber River and one location on lower East Canyon Creek to improve habitat and reduce sedimentation of the Stoddard-Peterson reach,
Design channel improvements to the mainstem Weber River at Fort Buenaventura that allow for floodplain access and removal of waste concrete/riprap,
Re-establish fish passage at Riverdale Bench Diversion Dam, and
Re-establish fish passage at the Ogden Business exchange

UDAF: Plant approximately 100-130  trees along the riparian corridor in Francis Creek. Species include Populus acuminata, Lanceleaf Cottonwood; Populus angustifolia, Narrowleaf Cottonwood; Acer negundo, Box elder; Prunus virginiana, Chokecherry; Salix exigua, Coyote Willow; Salix lutea, Yellow Willow; and Crataegus douglasii, Black Hawthorn. Put beaver/cattle/wildlife protection fencing around each tree to prevent death due to herbivory before fully established. Fencing will be removed after 5 years.

UDWR:  Improve summer range for mule deer, elk, and moose on Henefer Echo Wildlife Management Area through aspen regeneration
Mechanically remove and inhibit return of thick oak/maple stands in 100 acre aspen stand.

Provide an overall goal for the project and then provide clear, specific and measurable objectives (outcomes) to be accomplished by the proposed actions. If possible, tie to one or more of the public benefits UWRI is providing.

TU and Sageland Collaborative: The Chalk Creek watershed is one of the largest contributors of sediment and nutrients to the Weber River, affecting infrastructure, stream habitat, and water quality. These non-point source issues stem from historical land-use throughout the watershed which include agriculture, livestock grazing, oil and gas exploration and extraction, and the development of roads. A TMDL for the Chalk Creek watershed was completed in 1994 discussing these  issues. Further, two tributary streams within the Chalk Creek watershed (Huff Creek, South Fork Chalk Creek) have Coordinated Resource Management Plans that were developed to address issues more specifically. More recently, the 2024 Integrated Report on Water Quality issued by the UT DEQ lists Huff Creek as not meeting its criteria as a cold water aquatic resource for impairments related to low dissolved oxygen levels. Similarly, South Fork Chalk Creek was listed as not meeting criteria for exceeding maximum temperatures. Huff Creek and tributaries to South Fork Chalk Creek  (Hay Hollow, Lodgepole, and Branch Creek) are the focus of Trout Unlimited's and Sageland Collaborative's work in the watershed utilizing process-based restoration to reduce sediment and nutrient loading, while also improving stream and riparian habitat for fish and wildlife. The Chalk Creek watershed has been a focus area for decades of habitat and water quality/quantity projects. To date, over a dozen low-tech process-based restoration projects have been implemented in the Chalk Creek watershed. TU, Sageland Collaborative, and our partners at UDAF, UDEQ, NRCS, and UDWR have cultivated an incredible working relationship with the land owners/managers in this area through years of collaborative work, all striving towards similar goals of better land management to support both our fish and wildlife as well as livestock. While considerable progress has been made, there are still many areas that will benefit from continued work. Changes in the types and timing of precipitation put this area at risk for more extreme flow events and reductions in rangeland viability over time. Land within our project areas and nearby are at very high risk for fire. The BDAs we plan to install will help mitigate extreme flow events by dispersing stream energy, they will allow for water to percolate through the soil instead of rushing off the landscape allowing for plants to utilize it, and they will help restore a robust riparian corridor more resistant to fire. This project will complement previous work in the watershed such as aquatic organism passage projects, off-channel watering systems, livestock exclusion fencing, and beaver reintroduction. 
TU:

Species of concern including the green sucker (formerly bluehead) and Bonneville cutthroat trout (the Utah State Fish) are at risk throughout the Weber Basin due to increasing variability/extremes in weather patterns and reduced habitat availability resulting from habitat degradation and fragmentation. For example, 10 miles of the mainstem Weber River between Riverdale Bench Canal Diversion and Marriott-Slaterville Canal Diversion becomes uninhabitable to Bonneville cutthroat trout during dry years due to water temperature regimes that would result in mortality. Due to habitat fragmentation, fish that are below Riverdale Bench Diversion and the passage barrier at Ogden Business Exchange do not currently have the ability to move upstream to seek refuge. Similarly, available habitat to green sucker (formerly bluehead) is lacking and is likely a limiting factor in their recovery according to Webber et al. 2012. In other locations such as the Stoddard-Peterson reach, sedimentation exacerbates nutrient loading, macrophyte growth, and dissolved oxygen levels making habitat less suitable. The NOAA Climate Explorer projects increased temperatures and increased number of dry days for the Lower Weber River Basin; therefore, it is imperative that we immediately work to maintain and enhance habitat in the Lower Weber River to improve resiliency of the ecosystem and the species it supports. Each project element addresses foreseeable or already occurring problems that are related to publicly scrutinized planning/recovery documents (see "Relation to Management Plans Section" for further details regarding management plans and benefited species).

UDAF: Francis Creek is the ideal location for riparian tree planting because the creek is impaired for temperature and E. coli. Currently, this section of the creek has only about 110 feet of tree cover with the rest being completely bare. Tree planting is the simplest way to lower water temperature. Once big enough, trees will produce shade that will decrease water temperatures without any work beyond initial planting and later fence removal. Trees are also very effective at taking up excess nutrients before they can enter waterways. This section of Francis Creek is within a large ranching operation so E. coli is very prevalent, as evidenced by the listed impairment. Trees will work well with the existing grasses to absorb nutrients more efficiently as grasses absorb nutrients from the upper soil layers and trees from the lower.
In addition, Francis Creek is within sage-grouse habitat, crucial winter habitat for moose and crucial summer habitat for elk and mule deer. Once trees are fully grown, moose, elk, and mule deer alike will be able to use the trees for browse. Biodiversity of the area will increase with different tree species, potentially supporting more insects for sage-grouse chicks. Several endangered species have potential habitat in this area and would benefit from tree planting as well. Bald eagles use riparian trees for nesting, pilose crayfish and Bonneville cutthroat trout prefer cool water, and bat species (little brown myotis, long-legged myotis) spend time in riparian forests.
Most riparian trees take around 10-15 years to grow to maturity. Given that a considerable amount of time is needed for this project to truly come to fruition, it is best to start sooner rather than later. Native nurseries can be difficult to find and the pricing of labor and equipment to plant large trees will only continue to rise. Perhaps more importantly, Francis Canyon and the Lost Creek area is one where not many projects have occurred. The land is privately owned and the owners keep to themselves. A current NRCS contract for riparian restoration exists for this ranch, so now is the time to capitalize on landowner willingness to improve the riparian habitat on their land. This project will hopefully lead to more projects with this landowner and their neighbors

UDWR: 
In this area oak and maple trees tend to encroach into aspen stands if no disturbance occurs and will eventually succeed the aspen stands creating thick hard to pass through stands and reduced understory diversity.  On Henefer Echo WMA, Gambel's oak stands have filled in many acres of aspen stands, reducing the total amount and quality of forage available to mule deer, moose, and elk in the higher elevation portions of the WMA. This area is considered crucial summer range for mule deer and elk by the UDWR (see documents section) By mechanically thinning the oak brush and maple stands the quality and quantity of forage for wildlife will increase on Henefer-Echo WMA. If no work is done and no other disturbance occurs the aspen stand will fade out completely. We expect a quick return of aspen growth once this work is completed.

LOCATION: Justify the proposed location of this project over other areas, include publicly scrutinized planning/recovery documents that list this area as a priority, remote sensing modeling that show this area is a good candidate for restoration, wildlife migration information and other data that help justify this project's location.

TIMING: Justify why this project should be implemented at this time. For example, Is the project area at risk of crossing an ecological or other threshold wherein future restoration would become more difficult, cost prohibitive, or even impossible.

Utah Wildlife Action Plan (WAP)
Improving Grazing (WAP) 
Fencing setbacks at Baird Bank will increase riparian buffer width, reduce grazing impacts on stream banks, and improve vigor of riparian vegetation.

Fire and Fire Suppression (WAP)
Inappropriate Fire Frequency and Severity (Level 3 Threat) (pg99)
The riparian restoration work being undertaken in Chalk Creek by Trout Unlimited and Sageland Collaborative addresses the Potential Conservation Action (PCA) of increasing cover and extent of native riparian vegetation by restoring beavers on the landscape. Constructing beaver dam analogs throughout this system will aid in the restoration of riparian vegetation and create suitable habitat for beaver occupation where there is currently limited available resources for them to persist.

Dams and Water Management/Use (WAP pg 107)
Agricultural/Municipal/Industrial Water Use (WAP pg112)
Process-based restoration in Chalk Creek will address issues seen with agricultural diversions by improving stores of groundwater, leading to sustained summer base flows during the height of irrigation season, benefitting Bonneville cutthroat trout

Presence of Diversions (WAP pg117)
Construction at Riverdale Bench Diversion and the Ogden Business Exchange Passage Barrier will remove two passage barriers and enlarge core habitat available to fish species including green sucker (formerly bluehead) and Bonneville cutthroat trout.

Sediment Transport Imbalance (WAP pg122)
Construction of beaver dam analogs will address issues with sediment transport in the Chalk Creek system. These structures will address channel incision and erosive forces by dispersing the energy of flow across a wider area, ultimately leading to the rebuilding of the channel and reconnection with the floodplain. 
Construction at Baird Bank, Johnson Bank, and Morgan Floodplain is designed to enhance and protect floodplain connectivity, reduce local sedimentation by improving sediment competency, reduce downstream sediment loading, and repair riparian buffers.

Other Ecosystem Modifications (Channel Downcutting)
Beaver dam analog construction will address issues seen in Chalk Creek with channel downcutting. BDAs will buffer extreme flow events, lessening the erosive forces that lead to further downcutting. Furthermore, BDAs will help aggrade materials and reconnect stream to their floodplains where energy from high flows can be more easily dissipated.
Climate Change and Severe Weather

Increasing stream temperatures (WAP pg 156)
BDAs, tree plantings, and the floodplain restoration all will improve the shading effect from trees and vegetation, keeping the direct sun off the water which will help reduce stream temperatures. BDAs can also improve surface water and groundwater interaction, buffering temperature swings and having an overall cooling effect on stream temps

Droughts (wAP pg161)
Improving hyporheic exchange at PBR projects, Baird Bank, Johnson Bank, Morgan Floodplain, and Fort Buenaventura Floodplain will allow temporary storage of excess water during high-water years and seasons. The water will then return to the stream during low-water years and seasons. This natural process helps to reduce the effects of drought and modulates the effects of shorter duration and higher intensity spring runoff.

Chalk Creek Coordinated Resource Management Plan (TMDL)
The Chalk Creek CRMP was created to address non-point source pollution issues related to sediment and total phosphorus in the system derived from channel downcutting, bank erosion, eroding rangeland, and oil and gas exploration and extraction. BDA construction in four of the tributary streams will address many of the objectives outlined in the plan such as improve stream function and reduce flood damage, improve filtering capabilities of the riparian areas, reduce gully erosion, and reduce sediment coming from rangeland. 
South Fork Chalk Creek Coordinated Resource Management Plan
The installation of BDAs in Lodgepole, Hay Hollow, and Branch Creek is consistent with goals outlined in the SFCC CRMP of reducing water temperatures and sediment loading in South Fork Chalk Creek

Huff Creek Coordinated Resource Management Plan (TMDL)
This document was created to identify resource concerns and conservation opportunities in the Huff Creek watershed. The construction of beaver dam analogs in Huff Creek will address the resource concerns of erosion control and water quality outlined in the document.
 Rockport/Echo Reservoir TMDL
Constructing beaver dam analogs in the Chalk Creek watershed addresses issues outlined with erosion and nutrient loading that have led to the listing of Echo Reservoir as an impaired water.

The 2014 Weber Watershed Plan
This document was created to evaluate and guide watershed health improvement efforts in the Lower Weber River. 
The bank stability and floodplain connectivity projects are in line with this watershed plan. Projects will reduce sediment loading in the mainstem Weber River especially in the Stoddard-Peterson Reach, which suffers from chronic low flows and sedimentation issues. Specific strategies from the plan include Strategy 2-habitat restoration, which suggest recovering and fencing (where appropriate) riparian areas. We will include fencing setbacks that allow more robust riparian areas along sensitive stream banks. Additionally, the 2024 Integrated Report on Water Quality lists this section of the Weber River as impaired due to Benthic Macroinvertebrate Bioassessments, and high sediment loading is a likely contributor to poor health of the aquatic community. 
The aquatic-organism passage projects (Ogden Business Exchange Passage and Riverdale Bench Diversion Dam Passage) are in line with this plan including the Land and Water Use Strategy 2.
Region-wide Conservation Agreement and Strategy for Bonneville Cutthroat Trout (Lentsch et al. 2000).
The Weber River supports fluvial Bonneville cutthroat trout, which are rare in contemporary times and protection of individuals with this life history was identified as a priority in the and by the Rangewide Bonneville Cutthroat Trout Conservation Team. The fluvial form of Bonneville cutthroat trout requires the ability to traverse the mainstem river and enter tributaries to spawn. The aquatic-organism passage projects (Ogden Business Exchange Passage and Riverdale Bench Diversion Dam Passage) will ensure fishes can make appropriate migration movements related to their life history and life stage. 
(Utah Mule Deer Statewide Management Plan). 
This plan outlines the goals, objectives, and strategies for managing mule deer populations and their habitats in Utah. The proposed project supports recommendations from this plan. The primary Habitat Goal from the plan is to: "conserve, improve, and restore mule deer habitat throughout the state with emphasis on crucial ranges."

The Henefer- Echo WMA Habitat Management Plan (HMP):  
The HMP identifies the need to "protect big game habitat by balancing populations with available forage; improve big game forage through vegetative manipulation; and provide educational and recreational uses which are compatible with habitat and population management objectives."  The goals of this WRI project are consistent with the HMP, both in enhancing forage quality and opportunity and the installation of wildlife friendly fencing to lead by example.

2020 Utah Forest Action Plan objectives include:
Use all available management tools, including forest industry, to restore and maintain healthy ecosystems. 
Utah's forested resources are used to meet public needs while being appropriately managed to provide sustainability for future generations.
Mechanical treatments will utilize local industry to reduce dead/downed debris, providing public needs benefits of utilizing industry and improve big game habitat with decrease of wildfire risk, creating sustainability of aspen ecosystems for wildlife and future generations.

Utah Beaver Management Plan: 2017 Update: ""Increase cover and extent of native riparian vegetation by restoring beavers on the landscape, where social and environmental factors permit." BDA projects in this proposal have been planned with the use of beaver as a restoration tool in mind. Where appropriate, this tool has been discussed with stakeholders. Project partners are equipped to support wildlife conflict management techniques that align with restoration goals.

List management plans where this project will address an objective or strategy in the plan. Describe how the project area overlaps the objective or strategy in the plan and the relevance of the project to the successful implementation of those plans. It is best to provide this information in a list format with the description immediately following the plan objective or strategy.

Riparian areas are well known for acting as natural fuel breaks during wildfires (Fairfax & Whittle 2022; Ecological Applications & others). As it stands currently, Francis Creek is predominantly at a moderate fire risk with the hills around the creek being predominantly high to very high according to Utah's Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal. The addition of riparian tree planting could help lower this wildfire risk directly, as trees burn much slower than the grasses currently surrounding this part of the creek would. Plus, trees provide the large woody debris (LWD) that is an important part of the stream ecosystem. This LWD gets caught up within the creek forming pools and wet areas which will only help decrease fire hazard. Again, this creek is crucial habitat for elk, mule deer, and moose so protecting this area from fire is important to wildlife.

Similar to the Francis Creek area, the locations selected for beaver dam analog installation in the Chalk Creek watershed are at risk for wildfire impacts with fires occurring nearby within the last several decades (Huff, 2002; Elkhorn, 2015) . Many areas within the project sites are listed as high risk, with nearby areas upslope that would have an impact on project sites being listed as very high. Beaver dam impacted areas have been shown to significantly reduce burn severity compared to riverscapes without beaver dams (Fairfax et. al 2024). The installation of beaver dam analogs in Chalk Creek watershed will mimic the natural beaver dams, locally raising groundwater levels and creating a more resilient riparian corridor. Further, BDAs elsewhere in this watershed have been adopted by beavers, and expanded upon in several locations. Wildfires in this area have the potential to negatively impact water quality, disrupting agricultural operations that depend on these creeks for water diversions, as well as water used by the nearby city of Coalville for irrigation, and ultimately water quality in the main stem of the Weber River. In the event of wildfire, a robust riparian area will buffer flows coming off of the landscape post fire that contain high loads of sediment. A green, fire resistant riparian area that resists burning will maintain its vegetation, providing bank stabilization through root structures and shade from overhead foliage.

Conversion of aspen stands to oak and maple may impact fire severity due to more ladder fuels in oak and maple. The oak and maple thinning portion of this project will increase fire resistance of the whole watershed.

If applicable, detail how the proposed project will significantly reduce the risk of fuel loading and/or continuity of hazardous fuels including the use of fire-wise species in re-seeding operations. Describe the value of any features being protected by reducing the risk of fire. Values may include; communities at risk, permanent infrastructure, municipal watersheds, campgrounds, critical wildlife habitat, etc. Include the size of the area where fuels are being reduced and the distance from the feature(s) at risk.

WATER QUALITY:
A primary outcome of the BDA projects within this grant is to improve water quality and quantity. In the Chalk Creek watershed, the focus area of the BDA projects, there is a TMDL for sediment and phosphorus. The source of much of the sediment and phosphorus is erosion and channel downcutting caused by historic land use, diversions, and extreme weather events. Beaver dam analogs act as speed bumps in these systems, slowing down the water and allowing for the sediment, and the phosphorus tied to it, to settle out naturally instead of flushing into the reservoir. Monitoring of beaver dam analogs on Fish Creek, a stream in the Chalk Creek watershed, has shown some BDAs trapping as much as 10 cubic yards of sediment each.  The reduction of sediment into the Weber River lessens the work that is necessary to treat the water for culinary use. Further, reducing nutrient loads before they reach Echo Reservoir can alleviate issues with algal blooms impacting recreation. Beaver dams also spread the water out over a broader area, allowing it to infiltrate the soils for vegetation to take hold that provide temperature reducing shade and erosion control. Temperatures in the main stem of Chalk Creek and in several tributaries match or exceed those that have been shown to reduce feeding and activity in Bonneville cutthroat trout (Johnstone, 2011). During drought conditions, this vegetation also acts as a fire break, resisting burning better than drought stricken vegetation.

Tree planting in Francis Creek has major potential to improve water quality.  Cover from trees will significantly help to reduce water temperatures (a listed impairment) by providing consistent shade. The project area is completely bare of trees so any shade will help.  Francis Creek is also impaired for E. coli which can be reduced by tree planting. The project area is located within a 14,000-acre ranch with 400 cattle on it year-round, and the project area itself is being grazed. The trees will effectively absorb excess nutrients and limit the amount of E. coli reaching waterways. This is especially important considering that Lost Creek Reservoir is less than 4 miles away and is a source of drinking water for the area. Although not impaired for sediment, trees will also help to stabilize stream banks and prevent excess sediment from running off and entering the reservoir.

Stream-bank erosion is a major contributing factor to suspended sediment loading and sedimentation of substrates in the lower Weber River, which negatively impacts macroinvertebrates, fishes, and water quality at large (DWQ has listed this reach as impaired due to results from Benthic Macroinvertebrate Sampling). The Baird Bank, Johnson Bank, and Morgan Floodplain project elements will address erosive banks at the Morgan Ranch that are estimated to contribute 405 tons/year of sediment, the erosive banks near the 2015 Thurston property project that are believed to have released about 300 tons of sediment in 2023 and more in 2024, and channel incision/cutbank formation that is occurring on East Canyon Creek. To reduce water-quality degradation resulting from these massive inputs, we will use natural channel design features to return the streams to a sustainable state of equilibrium with bankfull benches and floodplain access that reduce shear-stress during high flows. At Baird Bank, fencing setbacks will help to remove cattle pressure on the riparian area. Additionally, riparian planting efforts and grazing management will improve bank stability and water filtration at all three sites. By improving buffer zones, reduced nutrient loading (another known problem in the lower Weber River) is expected.

Restoring aspen stands in the Henefer-Echo WMA will increase understory diversity and cover therefore increasing soil stability and soil infiltration. There are a number of springs below the proposed treatment area. This aspen restoration work will both increase the quality and quantity of water available to wildlife at things springs and their associate streams.

WATER QUANTITY: 
Improving hyporheic exchange at PBR projects, Baird Bank, Johnson Bank, and Morgan Floodplain will allow temporary storage of excess water during high-water years and seasons. The water will then return to the stream during low-water years and dry seasons. This natural process helps to reduce the effects of drought and modulates the effects of shorter duration and higher intensity spring runoff.

Beaver dam analogs, and the processes they promote (e.g. beaver activity, floodplain reconnection, wood jams, channel aggradation & widening) can buffer the intensity of extreme high and low flow conditions. Low-tech structures help to dissipate energy of high flows, move water laterally, increasing transient storage during high flow events. As the structures accumulate sediment and other natural materials over time, near-stream groundwater levels can rebound, improving water availability for re-vegetation of stream banks. This trajectory of repairing incised streams has many water quantity benefits.  Re-hydrated floodplain soils provide temporary storage which can support buffering of late-season low flows and increase chances of year-round streamflow-- crucial for Bonneville Cutthroat trout and other native fish species and beneficial for big game as well (mule deer, elk, moose). A reconnected floodplain also improves the quantity of nutrient-rich forage for livestock and big game animals in critical dry season periods. BDAs also provide water quantity benefits for multiple wetland plant species and pollinators, such as milkweed that needed by Monarch Butterfly.

Riparian tree planting will not immediately increase water quantity, but does have potential to do so once well established. Once these trees reach maturity, they will start to reintroduce large woody debris back into the system. Like beaver dam analogs, LWD captures and slows water so that it stays on the landscape for longer producing healthier, more robust riparian areas.

Describe how the project has the potential to improve water quality and/or increase water quantity, both over the short and long term. Address run-off, erosion, soil infiltration, and flooding, if applicable.

BDA projects: Stream alteration permits are required for all BDA projects, and will be completed prior to implementation.  All of the BDA projects (Branch Creek Phase 3, Hay Hollow Phase 3, Lodgepole Creek, Huff Creek) are subject to NEPA clearance due to matching funds and a significant federal nexus (US BOR WaterSMART grant). A categorical exclusion for these projects is in progress, supported by USBOR.  Cultural resources walks with UDWR and BOR will be completed at each site before BDA installation begins.  Sites with potential suitable habitat for federally threatened Ute ladies'-tresses (Spiranthes diluvialis) will be surveyed by partners at USBOR.  One of the proposed BDA sites fall within Summit County, UT's flood hazard zones (i.e. FEMA Zone A with no base flood elevation), requiring a floodplain development permit.

Riparian Tree planting & fencing: Cultural resources clearance has already been done by the NRCS for the riparian tree planting project. No further compliance is required for this project.

Archeological clearance will be obtained for the Morgan Floodplain, Barid Bank, Johnson Bank, Ogden Business Exchange Passage, and Riverdale Bench Diversion Passage projects. Stream alteration permits will be required and obtained for the Morgan Floodplain, Barid Bank, Johnson Bank, Ogden Business Exchange Passage, and Riverdale Bench Diversion Passage projects.
The Morgan Floodplain project will require NEPA compliance for BOR funding. It is anticipated that a categorical exclusion will be possible for this area and BOR will complete this process prior to implementation.
The design work at Fort Buenaventura will not require any compliance documents at this time, but the design work will include necessary steps to support compliance in the future (e.g., preparing necessary design work for a stream alteration permit).

Archeological clearance for the proposed aspen regeneration (mechanical oak and maple thinning) project was completed in FY25

Description of efforts, both completed and planned, to bring the proposed action into compliance with any and all cultural resource, NEPA, ESA, etc. requirements. If compliance is not required enter "not applicable" and explain why not it is not required.

Chalk Creek BDAs: Low-tech, Process-based Stream Restoration: Low-tech structures (i.e., beaver dam analogs and post-assisted log-structures) will be constructed using the methods described in Low-tech, Process-based Restoration of Riverscapes (Wheaton et al. 2019). Untreated wooden fence posts approximately 3-4" in diameter will be used in construction. Posts will be driven into the stream bed with a gas or hydraulic post pounder. The posts will extend approximately one meter above the channel bed and be spaced approximately 0.5 - 0.8 meters apart and driven to a depth of approximately one meter into the streambed. Then, native vegetation, rocks, and mud will be weaved between the posts to create a structure that will resemble a beaver dam. The structure will slow water flow but allow fish to pass through. The structures will be placed 10-30 meters apart within the stream. After a year the health of the stream will be evaluated, and future actions can be planned. Additionally, willows or other native plants may be planted at the restoration sites to improve the establishment of riparian vegetation. Posts will be installed by contractors, and the BDAs will be filled with materials by a combination of volunteers and contractors.

Frances Canyon project: Tree planting will follow the protocol outlined by NRCS in Conservation Practice 612: Tree/shrub planting for wildlife habitat. "A minimum of 5 species will be selected. Grouping of trees will be managed for best growth, visual appeal, and proximity to areas of wildlife use. Only viable, high quality and site-adapted planting stock will be used. Implementation and timing of planting will be appropriate for the site and ensure successful establishment. Plantings must be protected from unacceptable adverse impacts. Each site will be evaluated to determine if supplemental water or other treatments will be needed to assure adequate survival and growth."

Baird Bank, Johnson Bank, and Morgan Floodplain: To improve and protect floodplain access on the mainstem Weber River while reducing sedimentation of the Stoddard-Peterson reach we will use natural-channel design principles and implement toe-wood structures, J-hooks, and cross-vanes to shift the unstable channel to a sustainable point of equilibrium. Bankfull benches and floodplain access will reduce shear stress and allow for natural channel function. Riparian plantings will be installed to establish a more robust riparian buffer, and fencing setbacks will be installed where needed for proper grazing management.

Fort Buenaventura Floodplain-Design: Consultants will be hired to develop the necessary engineering for removing riprap/waste concrete from the channel, install a bankfull bench, maintain floodplain connectivity in the park, and improve sediment routing.

Riverdale Bench Diversion Dam: A new structure will be installed to reduce vertical drop while still allowing irrigation water to be diverted. The new structure will be a roughened boulder ramp with 5% slope or less to allow passage of all native species. The current diversion dam will be removed and a grade control structure will be placed to prevent continued head cutting.

Ogden Business Exchange Passage Barrier: This barrier is an abandoned railroad water diversion. The structure serves as a recreational wave, but is a fish barrier and is dangerous to recreators. Ogden City is replacing the structure to maintain multi-use recreational benefits including fish passage via a nature-like fishway. TU will work with Ogden City to implement the installation of the fishway.

Henefer-Echo WMA aspen regeneration: Stands of thick, immature oak and maple stands will be cut/mulched with heavy machinery. Large mature trees will not be removed.Upon being mulched or cut down the stumps of treated trees will be sprayed with a herbicide rated to control Oak and Maple trees and keep them from resprouting the following growing season.

Describe the actions, activities, tasks to be implemented as part of the proposed project; how these activities will be carried out, equipment to be used, when, and by whom.

Trout Unlimited will conduct drone flights over a subset of BDA projects collecting imagery and elevation data to track sediment capture and changes in vegetation over time

Trout Unlimited will collect drone imagery before, during, and after at Baird Bank, Johnson Bank, and Morgan Floodplain. Drone imagery will be collected again the subsequent year to document regrowth of riparian veg.

Trout Unlimited will work with DWR to validate fish passage at Ogden Business Exchange and Riverdale Bench Diversion Dam.

Sageland Collaborative will carry out Rapid Stream-Riparian Assessment (RSRA) surveys before 1y after implementing LPTBR projects to evaluate progress and identify follow-up actions at each site.

Riparian tree planting: Drone surveys every other year to capture tree growth. Each tree will be marked and status checked annually for the first three years.

Aspen Regeneration project: Pre and post drone monitoring flights will be conducted by UDWR staff on an annual basis post treatment. Photo points will be derived from drone imagery and uploaded to the WRI database as part of the annual report.

Describe plans to monitor for project success and achievement of stated objectives. Include details on type of monitoring (vegetation, wildlife, etc.), schedule, assignments and how the results of these monitoring efforts will be reported and/or uploaded to this project page. If needed, upload detailed plans in the "attachments" section.

Sageland Collaborative -- responsible for permitting, monitoring & organizing volunteer events to complete BDAs in Chalk Creek. Co-managing BDA projects with TU.

Trout Unlimited 
Project management of Chalk Creek BDAs, contractor and fence post procurement for BDA projects, co-hosting volunteer events.
Project manager for two aquatic organism passage projects (Ogden Business Exchange and Riverdale Bench Diversion Dam), two floodplain restoration projects (Fort Buenaventura--design and Morgan Floodplain--implementation), and two riparian area/bank stabilization projects (Johnson and Baird banks). 
 
UT Division of Wildlife Resources-- lead aspen regeneration project on Henefer-Echo WMA, provide logistical support for BDA projects

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Resources -- provides financial support for projects benefiting Greater sage-grouse on private lands in the project area. No new projects currently proposed for FY26, but looped in on projects in case opportunities to fund new work arise.

UT Department of Ag & Food -- watershed coordinator leading riparian tree planting project on Frances Creek.

World Resources Institute-- support with grant writing and coordination among partners in the Weber Headwaters & Summit county.

Summit County-- no new work proposed in FY26, but long-time project partner coordinating fire/fuels and riparian restoration work across the Weber Basin.

FFSL:  ongoing PJ thinning work on private lands in Chalk Creek, working to spend down carryover funds from FY25.

Utah Division of Water Quality-- vested interest in water quality in Chalk Creek & Weber basin following established TMDLs. Long-term monitoring, matching funds, outreach activities, and prioritization of project locations.

NRCS - existing EQIP and CSP in place on Francis Canyon property that supports tree planting efforts

List any and all partners (agencies, organizations, NGO's, private landowners) that support the proposal and/or have been contacted and included in the planning and design of the proposed project. Describe efforts to gather input and include these agencies, landowners, permitees, sportsman groups, researchers, etc. that may be interested/affected by the proposed project. Partners do not have to provide funding or in-kind services to a project to be listed.

Relationships established among landowners in Chalk Creek and natural resource professionals, as exemplified in the existing management plans, provide a strong foundation for long-term stewardship of the project areas. Project partners (TU, Sageland Collaborative, DEQ) are committed to monitoring LTPBR sites and assessing follow-up actions. Such actions include but are not limited to: planting willows and other native vegetation, implementing 'living with beaver' practices, maintenance on LTPBR structures, and  grazing management.

The Francis Canyon project is within a ranch that has an active contract with the Conservation Stewardship Program with the NRCS. This program pays producers to improve, maintain, and actively manage conservation activities in place and to adopt new conservation activities during the list of the five-year contract. This shows the landowner's commitment to conservation and the health of their land. To protect the trees while they are most vulnerable, each tree will be individually fenced off. This fencing will be removed after 5 years once the trees are established to allow for wildlife use.

All project sites will be monitored (described above). If it is determined that additional work could improve a project site, we will implement an additional phase to address the improvements. Additionally, we will continue to work in the watershed to implement conservation efforts that complement the work that has been done. Relationships established and grown during these efforts often lead to new opportunities on neighboring properties.

Detail future methods or techniques (including administrative actions) that will be implemented to help in accomplishing the stated objectives and to insure the long term success/stability of the proposed project. This may include: post-treatment grazing rest and/or management plans/changes, wildlife herd/species management plan changes, ranch plans, conservation easements or other permanent protection plans, resource management plans, forest plans, etc.

Potential for the proposed action to improve quality or quantity of sustainable uses such as grazing, timber harvest, biomass utilization, recreation, etc. Grazing improvements may include actions to improve forage availability and/or distribution of livestock.