Stream Restoration Project Photos
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The US Fish & Wildlife Service began restoring the stream at the outlet of Hyde Lake in February 2005 in sub-zero temperatures. It was necessary that the bog be frozen in order to support the weight of heavy equipment.
Construction began with installation of 12 ft. deep corrugated PVC sheet pilings.
Photo by Carl Schwartz, US Fish & Wildlife Service
The 90 ft. span was then capped to complete the water barrier.
Photo by Carl Schwartz, US Fish & Wildlife Service
280 tons of rock were deposited on the downstream side of the pilings to form a gentle grade.
Photo by Carl Schwartz, US Fish & Wildlife Service
Stage 1 complete.
In March 2005 the new water control structure (weir) began to contain the water from melting ice.
In April 2005 excess water spills over the 8 foot wide spillway that was cut in the center of the weir.
Sediment began to settle on the lake side, helping to return the area to its natural state. (Original beaver dam is in the background.)
April 2005 during spring ice-melt. Notice the sloping grade in the background and the cross vane (orange x) in the foreground.
The cross vane is designed from the work of the Colorado hydrologist, Dave Rosgen, whose stream restoration work is based on the hydrological fundamentals of Luna Leopold.
A double row of 2-foot limestone boulders were strategically placed in a u-shape in the stream bed. The uphill slope of the boulders causes the water to flow more slowing, preventing erosion of the banks.
Standing on the structure, looking downstream at the grade and cross vane.
Looking upstream from Hyde Lake Road during the spring ice-melt.Project will be completed in May with the planting of willow shrubs along the stream banks to prevent erosion.