The Cochiti Reach of the Middle Rio Grande has undergone drastic landscape alterations. The installation of the Galisteo and Cochiti dams have altered the riparian ecosystem with reduced pulse flows and accelerated riverbed incision.  The regulated hydrograph in the Rio Grande has swift currents, incised river banks, abandoned side channels, isolated backwaters, and thick stands of exotic vegetation.

The Santo Domingo Tribe-Natural Resources Branch (NRB) proposes to work at three sites along the Rio Grande and to place Large Woody Debris (LWD) in the Rio Grande from the Rio Galisteo confluence to the Santo Domingo southern grant boundary.  The NRB will be practicing multiple habitat restoration techniques outlined in the “Habitat Restoration Plan for the Middle Rio Grande,” (Tetra Tech 2004).  All of the proposed restoration projects are aimed at enhancing riverine features to accommodate the needs of the Rio Grande silvery minnow (silvery minnow). One project will be the second phase of an earlier awarded project, which involves the restoration of an oxbow, while the remaining two projects will incorporate low-flow side channels and backwater habitats. Each project will incorporate embayments or scallops and other habitat features associated with desirable silvery minnow nursery habitat.  The LWD project is intended to encourage sediment deposition and water velocity reduction, resulting in suitable fisheries habitat for the silvery minnow.

For more information contact: Charles Fischer, Albuquerque Area Office, 555 Broadway NE, Suite 100, Albuquerque, NM 87102, (505) 462-3656, cfischer@uc.usbr.gov.