by Bill Goosmann and Jay Thompson
As this issue arrives, the eighteenth annual Colorado Riparian Association conference is just around the corner. The conference will be held in Durango from October 5 – 7, 2005. The focus of this year’s conference is “Riparian Response to Altered Flow Regimes” and includes a wide array of presentations that address the issue of altered flow regimes. Topics addressed include Colorado’s instream flow program, water rights in Colorado, endangered fish in regulated rivers, and vegetation changes associated with flow alterations. Our keynote speaker will discuss the controversial Animas-LaPlata project near Durango and we’ll have a rare opportunity to actually tour the Animas-LaPlata construction site on our Friday morning field trip. Wednesday’s field trip will look at three different riparian/stream restoration sites on Rock Creek south of Durango. And for the first time, CRA will be hosting a technical poster session at this year’s conference. For additional details or to register for the conference, see the agenda and registration form in this issue. We look forward to seeing you in Durango! In addition to our regular features, this issue of the green line presents two articles that reflect different aspects of the results of altered flows — the spread of exotic species and the importance of debris flows in riparian habitats. In the first, Barry Rhea describes the impact of Russian olive on riparian habitats and the success of a community effort in Durango to eradicate this tree along the Animas River. In the second, Corrie Schott and Geoff Elliott describe their use of coarse wood debris in a riparian restoration project in Hot Sulphur Springs. Last, we are pleased to share a thoughtful comparison of old pickup trucks and riparian systems.