BLM partners with Trout Unlimited and Wyoming Conservation Corps to restore habitat

Rawlins, Wyo. – Utilizing funds made available by the Inflation Reduction Act, BLM Wyoming plans to invest $10 million dollars to repair habitats in the Muddy Creek Restoration Landscape in southwestern Wyoming with over $1 million planed for stream restoration work.

The BLM in coordination with Trout Unlimited and the Wyoming Conservation Corps (WCC) are working together to improve this important Colorado River tributary system and restore habitat that has been altered from the reduction of beaver in the system.   To do this, the WCC spent two weeks constructing Beaver Dam Analogs (BDA’s). BDAs are simple restoration tools designed to mimic the function of a natural beaver dam. 

The BDA structures use wood posts driven into the streambed and then vegetation is woven between the posts to slow down and deepen the water. Benefits of BDA’s include improved water quality, ground water recharge, enhanced riparian habitat for fish and wildlife, and reduced erosion. A total of 46 structures were constructed during this work hitch at a cost of approximately $15,000.  In August, the WCC will return and to finish constructing a total of 65 BDAs.

This work is just the beginning of a large-scale effort to restore stream habitat within the Muddy Creek watershed.  Additional stream work will continue to focus on enhancing riparian habitat, augmenting spawning gravels, and improving fish passage.

Located South of Rawlins Wyoming, Muddy Creek is a small headwater tributary within the Colorado River watershed. The Muddy Creek watershed supports a diversity of fish and wildlife species important to the region. Of particular interest is the native fish assemblage including Colorado River cutthroat trout, Roundtail Chub, Bluehead Sucker, and Flannelmouth sucker.

Historically, beavers were abundant within the Muddy Creek watershed and the system was dominated by wet meadows and meandering streams.  However, loss of beaver in the area from a variety of causes has resulted in a reduction if overall habitat quality.

For more information, please contact BLM_WY_912@blm.gov or call 307-775-6328.

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