Volunteers needed – conservation project October 26

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Maintenance and Improvements on Artificial Beaver Dams

Please come out for our last volunteer project of the 2019 season. We will be working with Santa Fe National Forest staff to do repairs and upgrades to the Beaver Dam Analogs (BDAs) that we have helped build in the past.

BDAs are gaining recognition as an important stream restoration tool. The structures function similar to beaver dams by slowing the water down, spreading it out, and causing sediment to drop to the stream-bed. The first BDAs were constructed with volunteer help on the Cebolla in October 2017 and by April, 2018 and they are already functioning as designed. Last October, we helped construct additional BDAs.

Come see how they are working and help with maintenance.

When: 9:30 am, Saturday, October 26, 2019

What: We’ll be adding willow weaver to the BDAs, adding rock to replace rock where it is needed, and move gravel from the riffle areas to help seal the BDAs.

Where: Meet at the BDA site where we installed them in May of 2018. This is at the lower end of the exclosure that protects the wetlands below the FR 376 road crossing at the Lake Fork. This is approximately eight miles south on FR376 from where it crosses State Highway 126. (see important note about access below).

Bring: Water & work gloves; chest waders if you have them (the stream is much deeper now)

RSVP: Lunch on October 26th will be provided by New Mexico Trout for those who RSVP to Ron Loehman (ronloehman@gmail.com) by October 19.

Directions: Take I-25 north to Bernalillo, left exit on Highway 550 to San Ysidro, right on Highway 4 towards Jemez Springs. FR 376 is presently closed for repairs about four miles north of the Gilman Tunnels and it is uncertain if it will be open by the 26th.  Consequently, plan to access the work site from the north off Highway 126.  From Jemez Springs drive north on SR 4 to LaCueva.  At the junction, take SR 126 west toward Fenton Lake for about 3 to 5 miles to where FR 376 comes in from the left.  Go south on FR 376 about eight miles to the work site. This will add about 30 minutes to your trip.