Restoration and Flood Mitigation GARRETT ALTMANN FORESTRY - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
A Naturalistic Approach to Creek Restoration and Flood Mitigation GARRETT ALTMANN FORESTRY DEPARTMENT, SANTA CLARA PUEBLO, NM NM WRRI 64 TH ANNUAL NEW MEXICO WATER CONFERENCE NOVEMBER 6-8, 2019 POJOAQUE, NM Overview : Santa Clara Pueblo
GARRETT ALTMANN FORESTRY DEPARTMENT, SANTA CLARA PUEBLO, NM
NM WRRI 64TH ANNUAL NEW MEXICO WATER CONFERENCE NOVEMBER 6-8, 2019 POJOAQUE, NM
Federally recognized Native
American Tribe
Located on the Rio Grande in
Northern New Mexico
Population: 2,700 Area: 90 square miles
32,000 acre watershed Central to the Pueblo lands
and culture
26-mile stream Flows perennially from west to
east
Headwaters at 9,000’ Rio Grande Confluence 5,500’ Elevation gradient traverses
several bioclimatic zones
North 1 mile
Santa Clara Creek Watershed
Upper Santa Clara Watershed in 2010 (looking south) 4th Pond
4th Pond
4th Pond 4th Pond
DR-4047-NM, August 19-24, 2011 DR-4079-NM, June 22-July 12, 2012 DR-4147-SCP, July 19-21, 2013 (tribal declaration) DR-4151-SCP, September 13-16, 2013 (tribal declaration) DR-4197-NM, July 27- August 5, 2014
Exponential increases in runoff/flood magnitude Destroyed infrastructure ($200M +)
existing water control facilities- 4 recreational ponds roads, bridges, stream crossings, fire station, campgrounds
100% fish kill & habitat loss throughout entire Santa Clara Creek Reduced the water quality standards identified for high quality cold water fisheries Continues to impact natural and cultural resources… our grocery store, clothing store, pharmacy,
and biologic classroom.
Simulated 2 year (50%) to 10,000 year (.01% ACE) events
In 2011, FEMA released the National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF) to create a comprehensive Federally‐led strategy for the Pueblo to identify all possible actions that would build the community’s resiliency to future flooding. The NDRF provides states, tribes and local jurisdictions an opportunity to effectively develop recovery strategies within their respective areas. This support allows FEMA to extend resources to agencies and helps define:
Roles and responsibilities of recovery coordinators and other stakeholders A coordinating structure that facilitates communication and collaboration among all
stakeholders
Guidance for pre- and post-disaster recovery planning Core recovery principles for communities to rebuild stronger, smarter and safer
communities
A ‘stream first’ approach to flood mitigation
Prioritizing natural function & promoting ecological services
Infrastructure design to work with and enhance the stream system
Bottomless culverts = Flood conveyance, sediment transport, fish passage Bank stabilization = erosion control & habitat complexity (bioengineering) Channel reconstruction = Natural channel restoration & floodplain connectivity
Cost effective - Natural materials wherever possible (in-kind contribution) Develop resiliency: floods, droughts, fires Develop habitat for reintroduction of Rio Grande cutthroat & beaver
Implemented ‘top-down’ approach to treating the watershed
Restore sediment sourcing areas in tributaries while creek stabilized.
Applied Hazardous Fuel Reduction, Reforestation and Bioengineering to:
Mitigate future wildfire threat Provide a cost effective restoration approach Utilize abundant natural materials Facilitate reforestation Limit grazing effects Provide bank stabilization and promote habitat complexity Limit erosion and sediment transport
USFS Lands Nat’l Park Service Lands USFS Lands
Erosion control structures are constructed in tributaries to reduce
sediment transport, minimize head cutting, and aggrade incised channels.
The structures are cost-effective, being built by hand and using on-
site materials. Over 5,300 structures have been built in 26 tributaries since 2014.