Defenders of Wildlife Rio Santa Cruz and Quemado LTPBR
Project Goals and Objectives
Defenders of Wildlife will pursue a range of low tech, process-based restoration activities, which will lead to increased water availability, improvement of aquatic organism passage and beaver re-establishment will enhance Rio Grande cutthroat trout, Rio Grande chub, Rio Grande sucker, North American beaver and southwestern willow flycatcher and their habitats in the Rio Quemado and Santa Cruz River in Santa Fe County, NM. Outcomes will include reconnection of aquatic and riparian habitat along approximately 30 miles, restoration of hydrologic process and floodplain connectivity, refugia for aquatic and riparian species of conservation concern as well as beaver in a major tributary in the Upper Rio Grande Watershed. This project will be completed over the course of three years.
Structure Construction Elements
Activities include beaver coexistence, agricultural water conservation, facilitation of aquatic organism passage, and ecosystem restoration, such as installation of beaver dam analogs, planting of willows, cottonwoods and other pollinator-friendly native plants, removal of invasive trees, and installation of fencing to prevent over-browsing.
Project Photos
Cover Photo
2023-03-12
Project Area Map
2024-08-24
Flow Device
2024-08-12
Woven Beaver Dam Analogue