Tree removal operations to start at Chatfield State Park this week
Kara Van Hoose
Oct. 14, 2024
Tree removal operations to start at Chatfield State Park this week
LITTLETON, Colo. – The next phase of the Chatfield Reallocation Project will start this week at Chatfield State Park with crews removing dead or dying cottonwood and willow trees from the reservoir. Dangerous inundated trees need to be removed to ensure visitor safety and prevent tree debris from clogging the dam outlet. Chatfield Reservoir Mitigation Company, Inc. (CRMC) will begin its work at the north boat ramp and continue down the western shores of the reservoir over the course of the next six months, stopping at the South Platte River.
Annual tree surveys done by CRMC’s environmental consultants found the cottonwoods and willows located in the high-water storage area are in decline or dead. About 2,700 trees have been marked for removal during the upcoming project phase, and up to an additional 2,300 cottonwoods could be removed in the next phase cycle starting in winter 2025. These trees slated for removal by CRMC represent less than one percent of the overall number of trees living in Chatfield State Park, and they will be repurposed for stream stabilization work and mulch.
While the immersed cottonwoods and willows have been a popular feature of the park for the past two years, many trees have started to topple over and lose large limbs which threatens visitor safety. Dead trees are especially in danger of falling over during high winds. When the reservoir freezes over in winter, dead trees can become unstable and felled from pressure exerted by the force of the ice.
“We have enjoyed having the cottonwood and willow trees in the reservoir for the past two years and been pleased by the new recreating opportunities the trees provided our visitors,” said Colorado Parks and Wildlife Chatfield Park Manager Kris Wahlers. “We explored all options to keep the trees, but since they did not survive, we have to do what’s best for our visitors. Safety is our main priority, especially while you’re out on the water.”
The Chatfield Reallocation Project began in 2014 with the main goal of acting as a renewable storage option by absorbing water from the South Platte River during wet seasons to lessen the severity of dry periods. Prior to the approval of the reallocation project, CRMC created the Adaptive Tree Management Plan to address potential tree removal and monitoring based on expected health impacts associated with uncertainties related to the timing and frequency of water storage. The ATMP acknowledged the majority of the inundated trees would eventually need to be removed once the reservoir reached its full storage level operating status. The project celebrated a successful high storage season when Chatfield Reservoir filled to the current operating level in spring of 2023 after unexpected levels of rainfall and moisture. Due to sustained precipitation and cooler temperatures throughout 2023 and into early 2024, Chatfield Reservoir remained at its “full pool” status for much longer than predicted.
In anticipation of the potential removal of the trees, CRMC began habitat mitigation work in 2018 by planting cottonwood and willow stakes and other shrubs in other areas of the park that are more suitable for the establishment of healthy and resilient tree stands. More than 100,000 trees and shrubs have been planted. Many plantings are thriving in protected cottonwood regeneration zones.
“While it is difficult to watch our trees decline, the loss of these existing trees was expected and accounted for through our environmental mitigation projects at Chatfield State Park,” said Charly Hoehn, Program Manager for CRMC. “We are also already seeing signs of cottonwood and willow regeneration occurring at the higher elevation bands around the reservoir. In time, we expect to see beautiful new tree stands take hold around the park.”
In addition to the planting of trees and shrubs to offset habitat loss, CPW has worked with environmental contractors to mitigate impact to bird populations which could be affected by the trees’ removal. The project is scheduled outside of nesting seasons and will not disturb any active nests. No bald eagle pairs have historically nested in the cottonwoods which will be removed.
“The park’s bird population should not be impacted by the project long-term,” said Wahlers. “With the habitat mitigation and robust planting operation, bird species will have many nest opportunities. We’ve seen the bird population thrive through two prior tree removal operations.”
To lessen impact to park visitors, one day-use area will be closed at a time while ground crews complete their work. Helicopter work is expected to start after Thanksgiving. Closures will be updated on the park’s website and social media channels.
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PHOTO CUTLINES:
Top left: Aerial view of inundated trees to be removed at Chatfield. Credit: ERO
Top right: Dead or dying trees pose a dangerous safety hazard to visitors.
Bottom left: About 100,000 seedlings and shrubs have been planted to offset habitat loss.
Bottom right: Seedlings are making great progress in the cottonwood regeneration protected zone.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 43 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW's work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.