Fire Reclamation Grizzly Creek, Colorado

Glenwood Springs, CO experienced one of the most severe droughts and fire seasons in history in August 2020. Approximately 32,000 acres of the White River National Forest burned near I-70. Then, one year later, during historic monsoon rains, enormous debris and mud flows from the burn areas caused severe loss of topsoil. Consequently closing the I-70 corridor. Over two growing seasons later, the most severe burn areas have had little to no native plant regrowth.

The Grizzly Creek Fire’s severity nearly destroyed all organic matter including both the soil’s seed bank and microbiology. The subsoils remaining were highly compacted and hydrophobic. Furthermore, most of the burned 32,000 acres were in the remote mountains of Glenwood Springs. Consequently, accessing the burned areas to revive the soil was inconceivable.

Ferguson Waterworks teamed up with the White River National Forest to develop an aerially-applied pelletized fertilizer.

How did Ferguson Waterworks help with revegetation solutions in the remote and barren soils after the Colorado wildfires?

Working hand in hand with the Forest Service and a local fertilizer manufacturer, we developed a pelletized fertilizer. Later it was named the “Forest Floor Regenerator”. Once the fertilizer was ready, it was distributed over 73 acres and 3 test sites by helicopter. Because fire reclamation and restoration projects are remote and labor-intensive, they can quickly be costly. That is why we worked with the Forest Service to develop a repeatable solution. In addition, we hoped this solution would avoid civil infrastructure devastation such as the I-70 corridor experienced when the fire was followed by extreme flooding.

How did we test the Forest Floor Regenerator fertilizer?

In order to determine the success of the Forest Floor Regenerator fertilizer pellets, we created 3 test plots.

1. The first test plot was covered with only wood chips to perform erosion control.
2. For plot 2, only the Forest Floor Regenerator fertilizer was applied to add organic matter to the soil.
3. On the 3rd plot, we applied both the Forest Floor Regenerator and wood chips.

To note, the Forest Service did not apply seed to any of the test plots. Instead, the test areas would rely on the seed bank and neighboring unaffected areas. Now, with the wood chips providing erosion control and the fertilizer pellets adding organic matter to the soil, seed germination should be more successful.

Which test plot was proven most successful for forest reclamation in Colorado’s remote mountains?

The USFS set up monitoring stations to evaluate the test plots. In addition to visual monitoring, they recorded soil temp and moisture through the next growing seasons. At this time Plot 3 which has both the Forest Floor Regenerator fertilizer and wood chips has the most successful vegetation.

The Forest Floor Regenerator pelletized fertilizer was a huge success. We were able to develop and produce the fertilizer pellets for mass spreading by helicopter. Because it is pelletized, it provides a much-needed amendment that is applied directly to the forest floor through dead slash and debris. Not to mention, after minimal rain, the pellets dissolve and therefore have maximum soil contact.

What are the benefits of pelletized fertilizer for revegetating scorched, barren soil?

• Increase soil organic matter and water holding capacity with microbially available carbon sources.
• Balance the mineral and chemical profile of the soil for optimal revegetation by re-inoculating the soil microbial population with a diversity of both bacterial and fungal organisms.
• Increase germination of seed and ongoing sustainable establishment of perennial grasses, shrubs, and forbs in post-fire and other catastrophes.
• Pelletized form factor suitable for aerial application.

Ferguson Waterworks is your supply partner. That means no matter the challenge, we will work with you to develop sustainable, economical, and time-saving solutions. We were honored to assist the Forest Service once again on this difficult and widespread revegetation effort. For a solution-first partner, rely on our expertise. From engineering assistance and job site support to green infrastructure and renewable energy solutions, we are ready to help.