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NEW MEXICO
New Mexico's water quality problems largely stem from intense grazing and
timbering in high quality coldwater fisheries. In addition, the state's arid
climate creates a fragile environment, difficult to mend once damage
occurs.
Bluewater is Almost Blue Again
Bluewater Creek, located in the Zuni Mountains of the Cibola National
Forest, suffered from the cumulative - effects of years of mismanagement. Two
centuries of grazing, timber harvesting, and recreation had taken their toll.
Before its transfer to the U.S. Forest Service in the early 1940s, the area had
been seriously overgrazed. In addition, logging had been extensive and poorly
planned and roads had been located in river valleys with numerous unculverted
stream crossings. As a result, the creek lacked overstory riparian vegetation,
streambanks were severely incised, and the river and lake reservoir were
burdened with sediment.
These severe nonpoint source pollution problems prompted the Cibola
National Forest to implement a number of best management practices. They
include :
- Reforestation throughout the watershed;
- Planting willow and cottonwoods along the creek;
- Constructing a large sediment control dam across a major tributary;
- Better management of cattle;
- Constructing grade control structures throughout the upper watershed to
control headcutting and gully formation;
- Obliterating and closing roads, including a segment running through
Bluewater Creek;
- Constructing porous fence revetments to slow the water and deposit
sediment;
- Fencing off a camping and picnicking area upstream to allow foot access but
prevent access by vehicles and cattle;
- Extensive renovation of a recreation area that included eliminating roads
and delineating a single road, leveling and topping parking areas with gravel
to slow runoff and limit erosion, blocking vehicular access to riparian areas,
planting riparian and other areas, and constructing public restrooms; and
- Reintroducing beaver into the watershed.
Long-term water quality studies of the Bluewater Creek are being conducted
as part of the Targeted Watersheds Project under the New Mexico Nonpoint Source
Pollution Management Program. The purpose of the study is to determine water
quality trends as a result of these best management practices.
Originally funded under section 205(j)(5), the studies came under section
319 in FY 1990 with a grant of $90,000. New Mexico has contributed $45,000.
These studies show that BMPs have met with a good measure of success. In fact,
the complete change in appearance of the river valley over the last few years
shows the phenomenal success of several BMPs. The ephemeral river that lacked
riparian vegetation--caused by more than 100 years of neglect and abuse--is now
returning to a perennial river system and beginning to support thriving wetland
communities and their wildlife. The BMPs implemented at a popular recreation
area have also brought visible changes. Hard-packed, bare soils are now grassy;
riparian grasses are lush and thriving; banks are stabilizing. The old road
running along and through the river, formerly a source of sediment loading and
bank destabilization, is now revegetating and is no longer visible in some
places. The scars from the river crossings are healing and the banks support
riparian grasses.
Severely incised banks treated with porous fence revetments are recovering.
The BMP has halted bank incision and captured sediment. Revegetation has been
so successful that the 6-foot high fences are hardly visible. Although
plantings of willow and cottonwood have not been successful, recent riparian
plantings appear to be surviving.
The reintroduction of beaver has been one of the most successful BMPs.
Their prolific dam building has elevated the water table, created a lush
riparian vegetation community, created thriving and expanding wetlands, and
diverted flows from incised, unstable banks. In addition, the beavers' work has
captured sediment, controlled flood flows, established a sustained base flow,
and created a habitat for a variety of wildlife.
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