Upper Cucharas River Watershed Pre-fire Assessment & Treatment Identification

Upper Cucharas River Watershed Pre-Fire Assessment & Treatment Identification

Photo: Spanish Peaks, by SLV Native, Flickr

Project Summary

Completion Date: September, 2014

JW Associates completed a project that has resulted in a comprehensive pre-wildfire assessment of the Upper Cucharas River Watershed and the identification of watershed protection projects.

Since 2014, the Spring Creek Fire in 2018 burned much of the assessment area. Following that fire, JWA worked with Huerfano County Water Conservancy District, Huerfano County, and the Towns of La Veta, Walsenburg and Cuchara on post-fire recovery for the Spring Creek Fire area. The analysis and documents that were produced in this project were used extensively during fire suppression efforts and now during recovery.

The post-post-fire sediment basin location analysis is being updated based on the actual burn severity and used to locate and implement sediment basins designed to protect water supplies and communities.

The report also contains an opportunities and constraints analysis that identifies potential next steps for watershed protection.

Project Actions

Cucharas River Wildfire/Watershed Assessment
Small-scale watershed hazard prioritization and targeting
Identification of Watershed protection projects, including:
- Vegetation management areas
- Sediment basin locations
- Road/stream crossings that needed updates
Site-specific identification, analysis and design of post-fire sediment basins & identification of undersized culverts
Completion of an opportunities & constrains analysis that identifies potential next steps for watershed protection

Benefits

Protect critical water supplies and natural resources from adverse effects of post-wildfire hydrologic changes, including:
- Flooding
- Erosion
- Debris flows
- Deposition
Mitigate negative effects of wildfire through targeted projects