River & Lake Restoration
  Ponca State Park | Blue River | Green River | Lake Stevens |
   Los Angeles River

The Blue River, a major headwaters tributary to the Colorado River, was mined for gold from the turn of the century until 1940.  As a result of this activity, the original river channel and surrounding floodplain had been destroyed.  

Tetra Tech was retained to develop and implement a restoration plan for a 6,000-foot-long reach of the river. Project goals included the creation of wetlands; creation of fish habitat; returning perennial flows to the river; and improving the visual qualities at the north entrance to the town.  The project included a hydrologic monitoring program, analysis of hydrologic data and channel stability, design of the reclamation plan, and construction oversight. Design of the channel restoration involved an analysis of existing channel stability and sediment transport conditions.  From this information, the design of measures to stabilize the river was performed and included alteration of the cross section; alignment and profile of the channel; use of boulder grade controls to dissipate energy and reduce erosive velocities; establishment of vegetation in the banks and floodplain; and the selective use of boulder bank protection in high stress areas.