Roundtable project has proven successful

ALAMOSA — There is a smaller amount of dead trees in the Wenimenuche Wilderness thanks to the Spruce Lakes Reservoir Project.

Kevin Terry, who serves as a contractor for Trout Unlimited, shared how the project is moving forward at the Rio Grande Basin Roundtable meeting on Tuesday. The project has utilized Roundtable funding and is now set to begin Phase 2.

Spruce Lakes is a privately owned reservoir that sits high in the Rio Grande National Forest. The lake has also been a critical water storage site since the 1950’s. Due to the recent Spruce Beetle epidemic in the forest, there were hundreds of dead trees falling into the lake and clogging the spillway. Terry wanted to work with the owners to address what had become a potential dam safety issue.

The task was almost overwhelming at first. The fact that the lakes are located in wilderness, thus requiring primitive means of removal, added to the challenge. Because of this challenge Terry began to work with Martha Williamson of the U.S. Forest Service to find a solution. After much deliberation, it was decided that explosives would be a quick and effective method for tree removal since removal by the use of saws would have proven to be hazardous for a crew. Once the explosives method was decided upon, USFS experts from across the west were recruited for the project.

The work began in the summer of 2018 and took approximately one week from start to finish. As of late 2018, the majority of the area around the lakes is now clear of dead timber and the spillway is not at risk for compromise. The next step will be to begin clearing the wood debris from the lake.

Terry is grateful to all who provided assistance. He is particularly grateful to Williamson and the USFS for their cooperation. The project has been heralded as proof that good projects can take place.