AloTerra
Restoration Services, LLC
www.aloterraservices.com  970-420-7346  PO Box 212, Fort Collins, CO 80522
Big Thompson River Restoration Conceptual Design,
Fundraising, and Implementation Plan
December 19, 2014
INTRODUCTION
Together with Colorado Trout Unlimited, private land owners, the City of Loveland, and other partners of the Big
Thompson River Restoration Coalition, AloTerra is providing planning, feasibility, and a restoration design process
to develop a conceptual plan for the Morey (29) and Whiteside (28) reaches identified in the Big Thompson River
Restoration Master Plan. As the master plan does not provide sufficient detail to accurately estimate site-specific
restoration work needed, stakeholder buy-in, and cost estimates for future fundraising efforts, this proposal is
essential to develop project scopes for the many funding opportunities arising in 2015.
This design work will be undertaken with close consideration of natural stream functions, fish habitat and migration
needs, trout fishing, and desired ecological conditions. Healthy and functional fish and wildlife communities,
functional fish passage structures, native riparian plant communities, improved opportunities for fishing on public
lands, and reduced soil erosion will be measures of success. The final conceptual design plan will be completed to a
level of detail, and with enough land owner support, such that Colorado Trout Unlimited and others (i.e., Big
Thompson Conservation District and/or Wildlands Restoration Volunteers) can develop grant proposals for final
design and implementation.
PROJECT TEAM
AloTerra typically brings together many restoration disciplines and professionals on its design teams. Given the
limited initial scope of this project (concept design for the purposes of pursuing funds), and given the funding
provided to AloTerra by Colorado Trout Unlimited, the overall river/floodplain restoration conceptual design,
project management, and stakeholder engagement work will be undertaken by John Giordanengo, Restoration
Ecologist, and Joel Sholtes, Fluvial Geomorphologist for AloTerra. Corey Engen of Flywater will be providing inchannel restoration and river improvement designs. AloTerra is also providing for the development of conceptual
plans for ditch diversion alternatives, and will be hiring a project team to provide final designs of preferred ditch
diversion alternatives in reaches 25-31.
From participating in meetings and site visits, to field design and contractor oversight, AloTerra staff have a firm
commitment to resolving peaceably any obstacles that may arise, being flexible with necessary project changes that
so often accompany river restoration work after a natural disaster, and to providing viable solutions for the
successful planning and design that this project will require.
PROJECT GOALS: Big Valley River Restoration Conceptual Design.
Acceptance of project goals by land owners is paramount to a successful project over the long term. Based on a
Neighborhood Reach meeting (reaches 28 and 29) on December 16, 2014, the following preliminary goals have
been developed. In each step of the design, fundraising, and implementation phase, the project goals will be our
“north star” for success:
- Improved aquatic habitat (i.e., trout, native fish, insects, etc).
- Improved riparian corridor (native riparian trees and shrubs to sustain a variety of wildlife, protect floodplains,
shade the stream, enhance stream insect populations, stabilize banks, and provide for the natural river aesthetics
that drew us to this amazing place on earth in the first place).
- Protect infrastructure (land, homes, bridges, ditch diversions, roads, etc.)
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AloTerra
Restoration Services, LLC
www.aloterraservices.com  970-420-7346  PO Box 212, Fort Collins, CO 80522
-
Improved resiliency and river function (decrease risk to property, life, and river function during future flood
events).
Engage the community in the planning, implementation, monitoring, and maintenance phases of the project.
Specific measurable objectives can be developed for these goals once final goals are solidified via land owner
input.
Next Steps
Below are the next planning steps, followed by the anticipated completion date:
1. Land owners confirm (in writing to AloTerra) that they support restoration goals: January 1, 2015
2. AloTerra involves City of Loveland in restoration goals, and gets them involved in the design process such
that we can cooperate closely with them in the overall restoration of these reaches: December 31, 2015
3. Data gathering and analysis, and field work to develop preliminary restoration designs: January 31, 2015
4. River walk with residents: January 10, 2015
5. Apply for funding for full design: March 31, 2015
6. Develop design team (AloTerra can develop and manage design team and final design process as funding
allows, and will involve existing partners every step of the way, to the extent they want to be involved).
Complete final design: September, 2015
7. Apply for Implementation funds: November, 2015
Outcomes
Important outcomes of our short- and long-term efforts are:
1. Produce a set of restoration designs and priorities based on above goals (we have nearly all the funding in
place for this).
2. Work with partners to raise sufficient funds to implement the plan (we have some funding to write grants,
but may need more support).
3. Manage the final design and implementation phase (as funds allow).
4. Provide for ongoing monitoring and maintenance that usually accompanies a successful project (as funds
allow).
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AloTerra
Restoration Services, LLC
www.aloterraservices.com  970-420-7346  PO Box 212, Fort Collins, CO 80522
Overview Map of Targeted Reaches
Reach Scores
Reach for Concept Design
No.
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Assessment Scores
Name
Length (feet)
GR
FR
AH-IP RE-IP
Cost
Total
5937
5.0
1.0
4.3
3.9
4.0
3.6
5523
4.7
2.7
3.4
3.6
4.0
3.7
6778
3.6
5.0
3.7
4.2
1.0
3.5
5025
4.5
2.8
2.9
3.9
3.0
3.4
5691
4.9
3.7
3.0
4.6
3.0
3.8
6581
4.0
4.0
2.4
4.5
1.0
3.2
3916
1.3
3.2
1.0
5.0
2.0
2.5
Total Feet:
39451
Miles:
7.5
Yellow = 5 out of top 10 highest reach scores
Loveland WTP
River View
Glade Road
Whiteside
Morey Open space
Rossum - Namaqua
Namaqua - Wilson
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AloTerra
Restoration Services, LLC
www.aloterraservices.com  970-420-7346  PO Box 212, Fort Collins, CO 80522
Morey and Whiteside Reaches
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AloTerra
Restoration Services, LLC
www.aloterraservices.com  970-420-7346  PO Box 212, Fort Collins, CO 80522
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