Shield Ranch Gravel Pit Reclamation Study & Restoration Concept Plan

Shield Ranch Gravel Pit Reclamation Study & Restoration Concept Plan

Oxbow Ecological Engineering, LLC collaborated with Fred Phillips Consulting, LLC on a feasibility study to determine the wetland and riparian restoration opportunities within The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) Shield Ranch Gravel Pit Reclamation Area, near Camp Verde, AZ. The 40-acre Gravel Pit Reclamation Area is characterized by two deep gravel mine pits within the historic floodplain of West Clear Creek and a large, rocky berm that separates West Clear Creek from its historic floodplain. Pursuing the gravel pit restoration project would be a step in restoring native habitat along West Clear Creek, improving floodplain function, and supporting the effort to increase river flows and potentially groundwater recharge along the creek and the Verde River. TNC hoped to assess how the restoration of wetland and riparian habitat within the gravel pit area would help to achieve these goals and any challenges it might present.

As part of the study, Oxbow Ecological Engineering completed a topographic survey of the entire gravel pit area using RTK GPS, including: extents of the north and south pits, detailed topography of both pits, water surface elevations, beaver dams, and key elevations for the berm and roads. Based on the inventory and analysis completed for the project, the team developed a set of site specific restoration practices that could be used to holistically address the impairments within the Gravel Pit Reclamation Area and feasibility level cost estimates. Conceptual design elements included restoration of overbank flows and floodplain function by strategically removing the large corridor berm along West Clear Creek, expansion and improvement of wetland and riparian habitat within the floodplain and gravel pit areas by strategic earthwork and re-contouring, irrigation improvements to insure long term viability of native vegetation in the floodplain and gravel pits, and improvements to site access, education, and passive recreation activities.