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UPDATE!!! I will be cutting willow and cottonwood stakes around March 28 to 30th. Since Work Weekend has been moved, I will be planting willows around April 11-13th. If interested in helping, contact me.
Pat
719-244-7605Still plan to be up at the Falls for willow harvesting this March 28-30th. Willows cuttings will be stored in Cabin 6.
pat stout
Gary Craft and I cut 400 willows April 1 for planting as well as ~ dozen cottonwoods. We will meet Friday April 11 at Cabin 6 at 10:00 a.m.
Turkeys were forming large groups between the dam and Steer Creek. Also, many turkey seen South of the Boardman and down to Mullen. Quite a few whitetail between the golf course and the dam. Had to stop due to muleys around Merritt.
During the week, maybe 8/10 of an inch of rain and snow wetting the area.Walleye action on the dead side, but should be close!
Cabin 5 gaining traction – see photo
Keith Dittrich, Tim Petersen and myself planted ~ 400 willows on the Lil’ Sandy on both the east and west sides. The plantings were densely placed in areas where bank above was lacking vegetation and at high risk for erosion. So, watch your feet for 4-6 inch high cuttings. On the west side, the plantings are associated with alluvial fans of sediment and cattle cuts.
jp stout
In July, the willows from 2025 & 2024 are showing good growth and adding to the necessary diversity to strengthen a bank. At least one cottonwood cutting has budded.On both sides, I have put red/pink flags to alert anglers and watch where you step. The willows planted on the meander above the Little Sandy also show good survival and growth. This is really encouraging given the past cattle damage in this area and sensitive vertical banks. A few Peach Leaf willows have been found as well due to seed migration downstream from the Stout property. Peach Leaf is a native plant and tends to grow tall. A few pics of willows…
Willow and cottonwoods, along with other deciduous plants, shed lots and lots of leaves ending up in the river as leaf litter. While some anglers complain about how messy it is, it is essential for the health of the benthic macroinvertebrate community. Leaf litter in and around rivers and streams is a vital habitat for various insects, providing both food and shelter. These insects, often called “river bugs,” play a crucial role in the ecosystem, influencing the food web and overall stream health. I added a pic of a decomposing leaf in the river.
Up at the river in January 2026, I took shots of the reach. I added 2 other photos from 2012 and 2024 to show the progress.
regards,
patThe Lil Sandy reach is in a state of aggradation, simply meaning sediment deposition resulting in elevated and extended banks, narrowing of the stream and higher stream levels. This aggradation is also seen just upstream of the island/Lil Sandy fish pool. The flows have been fluctuating due to recent rains, but the bank vegetation is emerging, including the willows from past planting over the last 2 1/2 years. Plantings from 2024 & 2025 are popping up and focally forming banks of plants. What is really encouraging are the willows from 2024 emerging on the outer meander just below my reach and upstream of the crossing. This section had substantial cattle damage and bank erosion. We planted willows along the most damaged area and willows are growing throughout that stretch. As u can see in a photo that curve is vegetating and starting to work its way up the slope, stabilizing the bank. These type areas should not have cattle at all!
Some photos from June showing improving banks/vegetation and increase pool formation.
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