During the spring of 2011 high stream flows eroded stream banks and resulted in property loss along sections of the Duchesne River. One property that was damaged during the 2011 floods is the property owned by Young Living Ranch near Tabiona. A 300-foot section of stream bank eroded 23 feet contributing over 60 tons of sediment into the Duchesne River. Due to water infrastructure projects in the area that reduce instream flows, the ability for the river to transport this sediment has been drastically reduced creating a sediment imbalance. The sediment loading has reduced the quality of the fisheries habitat in portions of the Duchesne River by filling in gravel riffles and low velocity habitats which reduces available spawning and foraging habitat. The sedimentation affects the immediate habitat and habitats downstream which are occupied by Razorback Sucker, Colorado Pikeminnow, Bluehead Sucker, Flannelmouth Sucker, and Roundtail Chub. As a result of stream bank erosion and other factors along the Duchesne River it is listed as an impaired stream for water quality by the State of Utah. Typically, in the Duchesne River corridor the solution for stream bank erosion has been to harden banks with rock riprap. Although riprap addresses bank stabilization, it has minimal benefit for fish and riparian habitat. This project aims to use environmentally friendly solutions that reduce streambank erosion, with the added benefits of improving fisheries and riparian habitats.

1. Improve Water Quality 2. Stabilize stream banks to reduce land loss and sediment supply 3. Enhance/create instream habitat for fish . 4. Create terrestrial and off-channel aquatic/riparian habitats for mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, and reptiles. 5. Improve riparian condition.

If the project is not completed, water quality will continue to be impaired with elevated loads of fine sediment. Fish and wildlife populations will not reach desirable and/or historic levels because habitat quality will continue to be reduced. Furthermore, if left untreated, streambank erosion has the possibility to continue to migrate downstream and increase sediment deposition into the Duchesne River. The use of traditional rock hardening that typically occurs in this area would provide no benefit to fisheries habitats and likely exacerbate the problem downstream. The risks associated with this project are the possibility of project failure during flood events, however similar projects in other portions of the region have held up during flood events. The Duchesne River in its current form is a system with the high flow spring events being greatly reduced and at times having large scale monsoon events creating peak flows for the year. These large scale typically isolated monsoon events inundate the river with large amounts of sediment and turbid water and are exacerbated by erosion that occurs along the riverbanks. Unfortunately due to current water demands in the basin the historical large spring flush events are greatly diminished. In examining stream gauge data on the Duchesne River near Tabiona, from 2010 to today almost annually a large monsoon event surpasses or approaches the spring run off event. This cycle has created a sediment imbalance in the system where there is more sediment being put into the system than can be transported out thereby degrading habitats for fish and other aquatic organisms. This is especially important for fish species such as Razorback Sucker, Colorado Pikeminnow, and the three species who use the Duchesne River for spawning activities. The riffle habitats they require are being filled in with sediment reducing both the quality and quantity of spawning habitat. Additionally for these species low velocity habitats are required for young of year survival and these habitats are particularly susceptible to increased sediment loads which will settle out into the low velocity habitats. Looking into the future with drought and climate change concerns we will likely continue to see diminished spring flushing flows and therefore need to reduce the overall sediment input to try and approach a sediment equilibrium in the system. If we can achieve this sediment equilibrium we will see an improvement to the habitats of the fish species listed above. The Duchesne River currently has a fish passage structure installed at the Myton diversion. This structure provides both state sensitive and endangered species the ability to access the river above the Myton diversion and up to the Knight diversion. The project will reduce sediment in this reach and provide higher quality habitats for any fish that were to pass through the fish passage structure. This project will benefit both Elk and Mule Deer by improving riparian conditions in what is critical winter range for both species. The improvements to the riparian conditions will provide additional browse. The riparian condition will be improved by planting native species and reducing the affect cattle can have through a combination of exclusion and future grazing management.

The project would help to address "Threats" listed in the Utah Wildlife Action Plan: 1. "Improper Grazing (current)" - the project would utilize riparian fencing and an agreement with landowners for a rest period followed by short duration, high intensity grazing during springtime only (i.e., Potential Conservation Action Code 2.1.2). 2."Channelization / Bank Alteration (direct, intentional)" - the project would use structures, grazing management, and planting to increase the heterogeneity in stream channel characteristics and promote a more diverse riparian plant community (i.e., Potential Conservation Action Code 2.3.6). 3. "Sediment Transport Imbalance" - the project would use structures, grazing management, and planting to reduce the rate of streambank erosion, which can cause imbalance in sediment transport and elevated levels of nutrients (e.g., total phosphorous, TDS). The Duchesne County Resource Management plan contains the following relevant policies: -- The management of the watershed should allow for continued multiple use. -- It should preserve the quality and quantity of water as well as environmental values and allow the watershed to support existing as well as future uses. -- Projects that will protect water quality during periods of flash flooding shall be encouraged and supported. -- It is the policy of Duchesne County to encourage private and public land owners/managers to maintain the important functions of riparian areas under their jurisdiction. -- Duchesne County supports the use of BMPs to avoid sedimentation impacts to riparian areas. --Support efforts to protect water quality and the quality of the associated fisheries. -- Support efforts to improve fish habitats while balancing the rights of adjacent landowners and holders of water rights. "Use bio-engineering methods that facilitate riparian vegetation growth for bank stabilization in lieu of hardened structures or surfaces." Rangewide Conservation Agreement and Strategy for Roundtail Chub, Bluehead Sucker, and Flannelmouth Sucker - Enhance and maintain habitat for roundtail chub, bluehead sucker, and flannelmouth sucker. - See ecological threshold for further explanation on enhancing and maintaining habitat Duchesne River TMDL -- Improve water quality in the watershed by decreasing the TDS and sediment load -- Improve wildlife habitat State of Utah Resource Management Plan - The State supports the use of structural and non-structural improvements in unstable water courses to restore riparian areas properly functioning/desired future conditions. - Prioritize and manage riparian areas to attain desired future conditions for riparian related resources (e.g. fishery habitat, water quality, wildlife and livestock forage, and soil stability). Utah Elk Management Plan - B. Habitat Management Goal: Conserve and improve elk habitat throughout the state. - Coordinate with land management agencies and private landowners to properly manage and improve elk habitat, especially calving and wintering areas. - This area frequently has wintering elk and this project by stabilizing river banks and reintroducing native vegetation will improve browse for these animals. It is also in crucial winter range for elk. Utah Mule Deer Statewide Plan - Habitat Objective 1: Maintain mule deer habitat throughout the state by protecting and enhancing existing crucial habitats and mitigating for losses due to natural and human impacts - a. Work with local, state and federal land management agencies via land management plans and with private landowners to identify and properly manage crucial mule deer habitats, especially fawning, wintering, and migration areas - Work with local, state and federal land management agencies and ranchers to properly manage livestock to enhance crucial mule deer ranges. Again this area is regularly occupied by mule deer and this project by stabilizing river banks and reintroducing native vegetation will improve browse for these animals. It is also in crucial winter range for Mule Deer. Razorback Sucker recovery plan - 5.2.1.1 Factor A.--Adequate habitat and range for recovered populations provided. - Spring peak flows are important to the dynamic sediment processes that maintain in-channel habitat complexity, and prevent vegetation encroachment and channel narrowing. For example, cobble and gravel deposits used for spawning are relatively permanent features formed at high flows. Lower peak flows in subsequent years result in deposition of fine sediments over cobble and gravel deposits. Peak flows, whose timing coincides with the natural runoff cycle, are needed to ensure that suitable sites, cleansed of fine sediments, are available during the spawning period. - See ecological thresholds for further explanation of sediment effects in the Duchesne River Colorado Pikeminnow Recovery Plan - 5.2.1.Factor A.--Adequate habitat and range for recovered populations provided. - Spring peak flows are important to the dynamic sediment processes that maintain in-channel habitat complexity, and prevent vegetation encroachment and channel narrowing. For example, cobble and gravel deposits used for spawning are relatively permanent features formed at high flows. Lower peak flows in subsequent years result in deposition of fine sediments over cobble and gravel deposits. Peak flows, whose timing coincides with the natural runoff cycle, are needed to ensure that suitable sites, cleansed of fine sediments, are available during the spawning period. - See ecological thresholds for further explanation of sediment effects in the Duchesne River

This project encourages a healthy riparian zone, which can provide a vegetation community and microclimate that may reduce the risk of fire and increase the potential use of these areas as control points and fuel/fire breaks.

The project has the potential to significantly improve water quality. The project would reduce sediment loads in the Duchesne River, which is listed as a concern in the Duchesne River TMDL. The project would stabilize stream banks and reestablish a dense and diverse corridor of riparian vegetation, helping to reduce sediment inputs from streambank erosion and creating an important buffer zone for filtration of nonpoint source pollutants from overland flow. The project promotes reconnecting the stream with the floodplain and increasing the presence and diversity of native riparian vegetation. As a result, water infiltration should increase during periods of overland flow and high discharge, which would lead to elevated soil moisture, and ground water recharge. More specifically native deep rooting vegetation allows for water infiltration during periods of high flow and rain events. Additionally, by using toewood we plan to reshape the river bank allowing the river to access its floodplain which will raise water tables elevating soil moisture and allowing for ground water recharge. The methods used in this project, mainly the toe wood structures, will also create critical fish refuge in the form of deep undercut banks that are used by all life stages.

Utah Division of Water Rights Steam Channel Alteration Permit and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nationwide Permits are required and would be secured by Trout Unlimited.

Bankfull discharge will be calculated and a stream habitat design for the project will be based on bankfull discharge estimates. Heavy equipment will be used to install toe wood structures on outside streambanks to address erosive sections. Toe-wood structures are installed by setting a foundation log nearly parallel to the streambank. Rootwads with 15 to 20 feet of trunk are placed on top of the foundation logs with the root wad at an angle to the flow to absorb the force of the river. The trunks are embedded in the bank to anchor them against high flows that could move them from their placement. Cuttings from willows and trees are planted on top of the rootwads. The rootwads act as flow deflectors the deflect flow away from the bank. They also force water down creating deeper habitats and undercut cover for fish. Rock J-Hook vanes will be installed above and below the toe wood bank to help deflect stream flow towards the middle of the channel. Once the toe-wood is installed the streambank will be gradually sloped at at least a 1:3 ratio to increase floodplain access for the river. Willows and other native plants will then be replanted in the area to promote the development of a healthy riparian corridor. We will then exclude cattle with fencing from the area until the area is properly established. Once plantings are established grazing plans will be used to allow for early season intensive grazing.

After project completion an inspection with photo points of structures will be completed annually after the spring runoff by the landowner and Trout Unlimited. Riparian establishment will also be monitored, and additional plantings will be pursued if necessary. Fisheries sampling occurs on the Duchesne River on a five-year rotation led by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. This sampling will be used to monitor the fisheries response to the project.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources will act as a consultant on the project to ensure structures are built to be fish friendly. Young Living Ranch personnel will take on the long term maintenance of the project and assist with heavy equipment operation during construction. Trout Unlimited will act as project manager for the planning and implementation of restoration practices. We are also in discussions with UDWQ to see if this project may qualify for nonpoint source funding which would reduce the over all request from WRI.

Following the project, the area will be fenced to exclude cattle and give the riparian vegetation a chance to establish for at least two years. Once riparian vegetation is established, grazing will be limited to a short duration springtime cycles. Monitoring of the project will also help to guide future management practices that may include additional plantings. This project will also serve as a template for future work on the Young Living Ranch property and other landowners in the area.

The project would promote availability and sustainability of the Duchesne River sport fishery. The work improves habitat for Brown Trout (e.g., reducing fine sediment that can limit spawning success, creating critical refuge for all life stages, etc.). The project would also create a riparian pasture for livestock and rotational grazing would be implemented. While the woody riparian vegetation that would be planted is not necessarily intended to high value for livestock (e.g., willow, cottonwood, chokecherry, golden currant), it would help to provide some additional forage for livestock and other species. This project will also reduce the erosion of what is currently productive pasture land and likely increase the amount of available pasture through installing toe wood and replacing land that was lost.

05/01/2023

05/02/2023

2023

This project was not completed. We were ready to implement in the early Spring of 2023 but the heavy euipment crew was pulled for flood mitigation. The DWR heavy equipment crew did spend some time preparing for this project so there was a small amount of expenses for personnel services. We requested an extension of funding but that did not occur. We will re-apply in the future.

This project was not completed. We were ready to implement in the early Spring of 2023 but the heavy euipment crew was pulled for flood mitigation. We requested an extension of funding but that did not occur. We will re-apply in the future.

This project was not completed. We were ready to implement in the early Spring of 2023 but the heavy euipment crew was pulled for flood mitigation. We requested an extension of funding but that did not occur. We will re-apply in the future.