This week, Summit County’s design-build team of Ecological Resource Consultants/Tezak Heavy Equipment (ERC/Tezak) continues major earthwork operations on the Swan River Restoration project site. Crews have completed much of the upper two thirds of the major channel construction, including installation of several riff-poll-glide structures, bank stabilization material, and riparian soils. Much of the new channel is visible in the image below.

Crews have also abandoned and filled much of the old Swan River channel. This has drawn some curiosity from recreational users passing by the area on Tiger Road. Please keep in mind that this is an active construction and restoration site and we ask that you avoid entering the project area while restoration work is ongoing. Rock Island Road remains open, but the site itself is closed to the public.

With recent consensus on the revised design approach in the onsite mine waste area, work has transitioned downstream where crews are capping the exposed waste areas and constructing the restored channel. Mine waste capping and major channel construction work in this area is anticipated to be largely complete by the end of the week.

Work is scheduled to continue through November 2016, followed by a winter shut-down period, before recommencing in spring 2017. Additional information about Swan River Restoration Project is available at RestoreTheSwanRiver.com as well as on the Open Space and Trails Special Projects web page. If you have additional questions about the restoration project, you can contact Summit County Open Space and Trails Director Brian Lorch, or Open Space and Trails Resource Specialist Jason Lederer, or call 970.668.4060.