Thoughts from the Field

Thoughts from the Field

August 27, 2013 by Andy

Reflecting on Williams Canyon Volunteer work June-August 2013

Wow – it went by quickly - a very productive and safe 10 weeks completed in upper Williams Canyon!  Working in the highest reaches of the priority sub-watershed for mitigation work in the Waldo Burn Scar, our team of extremely hard-working volunteers and staff installed masses of LEBs, numerous cross-vanes and pioneered and emplaced 15 first-of-their kind hand-installed log crib walls.   As each of these mitigation structures continues to fill with sediment and to slow water flow we are all hoping they take at least a small bite out of the troubles Manitou Springs and western Colorado Springs face with future flood potential.  A rough estimate indicates that the crib walls should hold better than 225 tons of sediment. 

While nearly every RMFI volunteer counts on getting at least a bit dirty and sweaty, this work was particularly strenuous; and on demanding ‘charcoal-ized’ terrain in the middle of a hot summer many of you were likely asked as you returned from a day there if you’d started a new job in a coal mine!  (I personally re-learned there’s value in sorting work clothes from other clothes in the laundry…)  Williams Canyon looked huge as we drove up it each morning while our team of people looked so small as we hiked in with tools to its upper reaches – that’s why each volunteer figured so hugely in our capabilities each day.  Couldn’t have done it without you --- A tip of the blackened hard-hat to all of you who helped in this very important project and hope to see you on another project soon!

- Andy Riter, Field Instructor