GYPSUM CREEK: USFS BOUNDARY TO EAGLE RIVER

Current and Historical Drivers of Degradation

Significant physical channel alteration, including bank armoring, straightening, and simplification, exists throughout the Town of Gypsum. Channel encroachment and high flow capacity reduction appears evident on many ranches and outlying suburbs due to flow losses at large ditches. Extensive encroachment on stream channels and floodplains exists from past or present agricultural uses and more recent time period residential development in the downtown area. Riparian buffers and natural channel forms are generally absent downtown.

Seasonal or permanent barriers to aquatic organism passage exist at low flows at specific locations on the reach. Significant alteration to continuity, lateral extent, and structure or riparian communities exists due to town development and agricultural land uses. These changes significantly degrade stream and floodplain habitat.

Agricultural and municipal water uses alter the streamflow regime. High peak flow frequency declined profoundly (~90%). Peak flows during typical and dry years declined by 37- 60% compared to natural historic conditions. Summer baseflows during Aug/Sep in average and dry years declined by 50-80% relative to natural conditions. Total annual flow volumes in dry years declined 37%.

Report Card