In Colorado, water is extremely important. At West Rifle Creek and Garfield Creek state wildlife areas, two creeks were slowly transforming into fast-moving, deeply eroded ditches, impacting water availability at the wildlife areas that benefit a large number of species. Knowing that something needed to be done, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) local wildlife officers came together to implement an innovative restoration effort blending out-of-the-box thinking and resourcefulness, conservation partnerships, and low-tech engineering.
Combining the use of beaver dam analogs, or BDAs — man-made structures designed to mimic natural beaver dams — with the strategic relocation of seven beavers, these projects are successfully slowing down the flow, reviving critical riparian habitats and proving that a few wooden stakes and a dedicated group of people can help Colorado’s wildlife.
Restoring the flow: West Rifle Creek State Wildlife Area
Over the years, CPW has seen a dramatic change in West Rifle Creek, at West Rifle Creek State Wildlife Area. Due to the area’s unique soil composition and sharp topography, the creek bed had become heavily incised and channelized, essentially turned into a deep, straight ditch that rushed water off the landscape far too quickly. Because of this, water became a major limiting factor for local wildlife.
In 2024, local CPW wildlife officers knew they had to intervene and began brainstorming ways to restore the creek. Starting out by surveying a four-mile stretch of the water, and near the top of the state wildlife area, they made an encouraging discovery: an active beaver colony.
While these beavers, nature’s best engineers, were already on the job, staff realized they could use a little extra help. In August 2024, staff built two BDAs about a mile downstream from the existing colony. The results were almost immediate. Within just a single month, an enterprising beaver took over one of the structures and began expanding its colony.
“Seeing how quickly nature responded was incredibly inspiring,” said District Wildlife Manager Jake Stanton. “Riparian habitats are some of the most beneficial habitats in the state, as well as the most limited in Colorado. To see the beavers jumping in right away and expanding on the work was impressive.”
In an effort to continue the momentum, CPW partnered with Colorado Open Lands, Ducks Unlimited, the Mule Deer Foundation and the National Wild Turkey Federation on a large-scale project that would encompass four miles of West Rifle Creek.
In 2025, the partnership was awarded a grant through CPW’s wetland program to help purchase materials to complete remaining work. By the spring of this year, crews hit the ground running, constructing 39 new BDAs along the creek.
The project is slated to continue over the next two years. The goal is to slow the water down, encourage the creek to meander naturally across the landscape again and widen the lush riparian corridor that so many wildlife species depend on. In addition to habitat restoration along the creek, CPW and our partners at Ducks Unlimited will work to repair Clark Reservoir to eliminate current seepage and install infrastructure that allows CPW to manage the release of water, creating additional wetland habitat at the state wildlife area.
Creating new wetland habitat at Garfield Creek State Wildlife Area
Building on the early success of West Rifle Creek, local staff set their sights on another area about 33 miles south near the town of New Castle: Garfield Creek State Wildlife Area. On June 1, staff began work on a new habitat project to slow the water down in Upper Baldy Creek in three spots, creating new wetland habitat. By building nine new BDAs and slowing down the creek, CPW can keep water on the state wildlife area longer, facilitating lush plant growth and giving local wildlife far better access to the water they need to thrive.
“Projects that focus on water are the most efficient way for us to improve habitat for our wildlife, and in drought-like years like this, their importance is even more significant,” said District Wildlife Manager McCoy Burke.
The beauty of the Garfield Creek project lies in its resourcefulness. Utilizing leftover wooden stakes from the West Rifle Creek project and available local willows and conifers, staff was able to complete the three new BDAs.
The real stars of the Garfield Creek project, however, are the new residents brought in to manage and improve these structures.
Through a partnership with the Pauline S. Schneegas Wildlife Foundation and utilizing CPW’s recently approved Beaver Management Plan, staff was able to release seven beavers on June 5. Translocation of beavers is increasingly being used as a tool to bolster restoration efforts. The beavers — which included a family unit of four relocated from a large ranch outside of Edwards and three other individual beavers from Eagle County — were relocated to prevent further conflict.
Shortly after the release and a quick swim to check out their new home, several of the beavers got to work.
“It was cool to see one of the beavers go right into work mode, inspecting and probably redoing all the work we put into building the BDA,” Burke said.
Looking ahead, staff is hopeful to see similar outcomes to those at West Rifle Creek State Wildlife Area.
The downstream effect
Whether through large-scale grant partnerships or resourceful, grassroots organizations, these projects show that habitat restoration doesn’t always require heavy machinery. Sometimes, a few wooden stakes and a dedicated group of people are all it takes.
As these projects progress over the next two years, CPW expects to see West Rifle and Garfield creeks transform from fast-moving trenches into thriving, meandering wetland complexes. This work doesn’t just benefit the beavers — it creates a ripple effect that supports everything from mule deer and wild turkeys to creating natural fire breaks.
Because beavers are highly territorial animals, CPW will carefully evaluate whether there is enough room for more beavers at both state wildlife areas and is always on the lookout for win-win opportunities to take beavers out of a bad situation and move them to a spot where they can truly benefit the Colorado landscape.
Funding the Future of Colorado’s Wetlands
“Projects of this scale simply aren’t possible without the Colorado Wetland Wildlife Conservation Program,” said Grand Junction Area Wildlife Manager Kirk Oldham. ”This critical grant allows us to protect and restore these vibrant ecosystems that give local wildlife better access to the water they need to thrive.”
Projects like this would not be possible without the Colorado Wetland Wildlife Conservation Program, which delivered the critical grant funding needed to drive this wetland restoration forward. Established to protect and enhance high-priority wetland habitats, the program relies heavily on the financial support of Colorado’s sportsmen and sportswomen.
Every time you purchase a hunting or fishing license, along with the required habitat stamp, you directly fund the Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program and dedicated wetland grants. These contributions provide the essential “boots-on-the-ground” conservation funding that keeps Colorado wild, protects critical waterfowl and fish habitats, and ensures these vibrant ecosystems thrive for generations to come.
By: Rachael Gonzales, Northwest Region Public Information Officer
