Watson Woods Restoration

Backhoe moving earth along a waterway.

After decades of degradation, Watson Woods Riparian Preserve is being functionally restored by Prescott Creeks and community volunteers. Plans for the ecological restoration work date back to 1996, but major on-the-ground work did not begin until late 2008. Reasearch leading up to the restoration work involved studying the surface hyrdology (flood frequency, discharge values) geomorphology (channel pattern, profile, substrate, cross-section) and riparian vegetation associated with Granite Creek within the Preserve. Augmenting this information, Prescott Creeks also studied the flora and fauna populations to set a baseliine and arrive at an understanding of conditions at the Preserve.

Years of research culminated in the Watson Woods Riparian Preserve Restoration Plan which was completed in 2007.

Restoration Project Goals

  1. To enhance and restore the Granite Creek channel function and existing riparian habitats, as well as to create new riparian habitats.
  2. To educate and involve the community in the restoration process.

Restoration Project Objectives

  1. Restore the stability of the Granite Creek stream channel while maintaining natural stream processes: proper hydrologic conditions and functions, stream morphology and channel characteristics, and floodplain function.
  2. Enhance, restore and (re)create riparian vegetation and habitat along the Watson Woods Riparian Preserve area of Granite Creek.
  3. Educate and involve community members in the restoration process.
  4. Monitoring of the living and non-living environment to evaluate and communicate project performance.

Since completion of the plan:

  • Major funding was secured from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and the Arizona Water Protection Fund to implement the project
  • A 404 Permit was secured from the US Army Corps of Engineers to comply with Clean Water Act requirements
  • Natural Channel Design and Fann Evironmental were contracted
  • Initial construction and revegetation was completed in April 2009
    • Realignment of four reaches of the Granite Creek Channel
    • Approximately 13,000 willows  were planted to protect the newly constructed creek banks
    • Five "ephemeral wetlands" were constructed
    • And almost 1,000 cottonwood and willow trees were planted on Granite Creek floodplain.

As of autumn 2010 future activities include:

  • Final construction and revegetation - to repair damage from the January 2010 floods
  • Construction of one additional "ephemeral wetland"
  • Additional floodplain revegetation
  • Construction of approximately 2 miles of interpretive walking trails within the Preserve
  • Project performance monitoring.

There are many opportunities to volunteer on this and other Prescott Creeks projects. Click here to learn more about volunteering with Prescott Creeks.