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California Gulch restoration

Background

The State of Colorado and the United States each collected $5 million in natural resource damages from the California Gulch Superfund Site’s release of hazardous substances into the upper Arkansas River Basin.

Completed restoration projects

The Natural Resource Trustees awarded approximately $7 million towards restoration projects within the upper Arkansas River Basin that improve in-stream habitat, provide erosion control, control weeds, plant native species, manage habitat, build fencing, and create conservation easements in Lake and Chaffee Counties.

Ongoing restoration

Shows the removal of invasive plants and new native and local trees and shrubs in protective fencing at the Sands Lake State Wildlife Area, located in Salida.
Photo above shows the removal of invasive plants and new native and local trees and shrubs in protective fencing at the Sands Lake State Wildlife Area, located in Salida.

Photo above depicts the construction of an Osprey platform on one of the lakes at the Sands Lake State Wildlife Area.
Photo above depicts the construction of an Osprey platform on one of the lakes at the Sands Lake State Wildlife Area.

Chaffee County Noxious Weed Department is also managing noxious and invasive weed species through a separate award by the Natural Resource Trustees. 

Colorado Central Conservancy purchased 11 parcels that include public access and conservation easements along the Arkansas River in Lake County, Colorado. 

25-acre parcel that includes riverfront access located along Highway 24 and the Arkansas River
25-acre parcel that includes riverfront access located along Highway 24 and the Arkansas River

177-acre parcel to provide wildlife habitat near California Gulch
177-acre parcel to provide wildlife habitat near California Gulch

Property linking the Andrick Preserve to expand recreational opportunities in Lake County
Property linking the Andrick Preserve to expand recreational opportunities in Lake County

Future restoration

Arkansas River Water Coalition is conducting two new projects in Lake County to improve watershed health and resiliency in the upper Arkansas River basin through the replacement of culverts, improvements to wetland habitats, and the rehabilitation of aquatic and terrestrial riparian habitat. Another project is underway to improve forest health to reduce threats from wildfires in Lake County.


Contact 

Jennifer Talbert
Remediation Program Manager
jennifer.talbert@state.co.us
720-766-6083