***NEWS RELEASE*** Contact: Barbara Garrett, public affairs specialist

December 7, 2004 (505)761-4406

**Stream Barbs Restore Taylor Creek**

Albuquerque, NM - Many creeks and riparian areas in New Mexico have
damaged or stressed reaches. During the past seven years, research has
been conducted around the state on several perennial creeks to examine
how low impact, low cost methods can help in hastening the improvement
of riparian areas. Healthy riparian areas are important for wildlife and
bird habitat, streambank stability, and water quality. A scenic riparian
area often increases the value of the landowner's property.

The test site for one project is Taylor Creek in Catron County. The
selected site had experienced a large scale flood event in the summer of
1997. The floodwaters scoured the stream leaving behind eroded banks and
a coarse gravel to cobble substrate. The landowner was concerned that
the bank erosion would continue and could lead to the loss of a corral
complex. After a field examination of the site, a treatment strategy
consisting of a series of stream barbs was suggested.

Stream barbs are rock structures that extend into the stream flow to
modify flow patterns and bed topography. Stream barbs are designed to
disrupt the erosive energy directed against the cut bank side of the
stream bank. They are designed to be overtopped during channel-forming
flow. Stream barbs are used for bank direction, to increase scour of
point and lateral bars, to direct stream flow towards instream
diversions, and to change bedload transport and deposition patterns.
Barbs are also used to reduce the width to depth ratio of the stream.
Ideally stream barbs should be used in conjunction with increasing
riparian vegetation. The barbs relieve the flow pressure from the
damaged bank while the vegetation provides long term stabilization
through energy dissipation and sediment deposition.

The channel was wide and very shallow and riparian vegetation was
lacking. The barbs were constructed using a crew of three workers. Rocks
were collected locally and were placed by hand. With the completed barbs
shows the stream began to establish a sinuous flow pattern which helps
the base flow to sort the bedload material and form a more stable
channel configuration. The final stream in July 2004 showed a normal
channel and abundance of sedges and rushes.

This project was constructed during a three-day work period. Since the
rock material was taken from the site, no cost other than labor was
incurred. During August 2004, two large flood events passed through the
restored area with no damage to either the bank or the channel. The
vegetation remained intact and the site has captured around eight inches
of fine silty material.

Riparian areas are dynamic areas that quickly respond to treatment
techniques. For any riparian areas needing restoration techniques,
please contact Steve Lacy, NRCS New Mexico geomorphologist, at 761-4439.

\# \# \#

Taylor Creek, September 1999. Notice the lack of riparian vegetation,
the coarse substrate, lack of sinuosity and the width and shallowness of
the creek.

Taylor Creek, September 1999 upon the completion of the stream barb
structures. Observe the sinuous flow of the stream and the flat-water
behind the barbs.

Taylor Creek, September 1999 looking upstream, after the completion of
the barbs.

Taylor Creek, July 2004 looking upstream. Notice that grazing is active
in the area. Also note the width-depth ratio for the active channel and
the increase in riparian vegetation.

Taylor Creek, August 2004 after two significant flood events. Note the
debris piled on the stream barb. Compare this photo with the previous
years photos.

Taylor Creek, August 2004. Observe the recovering riparian vegetation
growing through the newly deposited sediment.