Matrix Design Group, Inc. was recognized last week at the Colorado Association of Stormwater and Floodplain Managers (CASFM) Annual Conference as one of two finalists for the East Troublesome Fire Watershed Restoration Plan in Grand County, CO. The project team included Matrix professionals from Water Resources, Environmental, Ecological Services, Survey, and GIS. While we didn’t take home the top award, we’re proud that this critical project was highlighted among Colorado’s leading floodplain and watershed initiatives.

Restoring Resilience After the East Troublesome Fire

The 2020 East Troublesome Fire burned nearly 200,000 acres in northern Colorado, leaving behind more than scorched trees. It destabilized streams, increased erosion, and sent massive amounts of sediment downstream—reducing reservoir capacity and damaging critical infrastructure.

The watershed assessment revealed:

• Burned streams are eroding at alarming rates, moving the equivalent of 3,000 dump trucks of sediment each year into downstream reservoirs.
• This reduces water storage, clogs culverts, washes out roads, and degrades stream health.
• Many streams are trending toward long-term instability, highlighting the urgent need for restoration.

Working with partners including Northern Water and the U.S. Forest Service, Matrix applied a watershed-based restoration approach to identify priority areas, slow sediment movement, and protect infrastructure. Early action, such as the Stillwater Creek culvert replacement, has already reopened key roadways and stabilized upstream channels.

The next phase will continue focusing on the highest-impact areas—improving water quality, restoring stream and watershed health, and protecting vital water resources for people and ecosystems.