Crews plant willows and cottonwoods along Encampment River

Laramie Region Aquatic Habitat Biologist Christina Barrineau had help from the Laramie Habitat and Access crew and employees of Stantec to plant willows and cottonwoods on the Boykin Reach of the Encampment River habitat project.

The cobble rocks used to stabilize the river bank make it difficult for vegetation to grow, so biologists plant woody species to help hold soil in place. Native grasses should eventually establish in the cobble with adequate amounts of soil. The crews planted the cottonwoods in plots made up of a 4-foot by 4-foot diamond pattern to encourage sediment deposition. Twelv...