Habitat Restoration Within the Middle Rio Grande of New Mexico

Led by USACE, the Bosque Wildfire Project was initiated to restore bosque habitat and wetland function around Albuquerque, New Mexico. Key features of restoration included constructing wetlands and swales to support moisture-seeking plants and animals, creating high-flow channels and bank terracing to enhance hydraulic connectivity within the bosque, and revegetating with native plants. From 2011 to 2016, nearly 50 water-enhancement features were constructed to promote seasonal inundation. In wetland construction areas, non-native trees were pulverized into wood chips using mechanical mastication and chainsaw felling. Approximately 127,000 potted shrubs, 9,000 tree poles, and 345,000 willow cuttings were planted.