Rio Hondo near Arroyo Seco, NM – Valdez Ranch

Riparian zone grazing has led to unstable river banks and an over-wide channel bottom. Fish habitat potential was very limited. The landowner had already stopped grazing the riparian area, but the river had not regained much fish holding capacity. The design solution involved rock and wood structure in the river, shaping of pools and side bars, willow transplants, and maintaining as much existing vegetation as possible.