Stabilizing a Burned Watershed By Fred Gender The Granite Fire started on August 18, 2001 in the southern Snake Range in Nevada. The most likely cause of the fire was lightning. The fire remained active for nearly three weeks and burned approximately 614 acres (248 ha), with 539 acres (218 ha) of the burn located within Great Basin National Park (GRBA). Included in the burn area are 170 acres (69 ha) of the South Fork of Big Wash watershed, with steep terrain and a high potential for severe erosion that could adversely impact the South Fork of Big Wash and its inhabitants. The South Fork of Big Wash is home to one of only two known populations of Bonneville cutthroat trout within Great Basin NP. Bonneville cutthroat is a species of concern and has been recently reintroduced to the South Fork of Big Wash as part of a multi-agency, 10-year reintroduction program. There was a strong possibility of losing this population of fish in the aftermath of the fire, therefore an intensive remedy was required. The Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation (BAER) plan was initiated with the primary goal of protection and preservation of Bonneville cutthroat trout and its habitat in South Fork of Big Wash. Rehabilitation priorities were established using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to map high intensity burn areas and intermittent drainages and to calculate drainage area. Erosion potential was assessed based on burn intensity and slope. Nearly all drainages drain less than two acres (0.8 ha) with one notable exception. One drainage leading to Big Wash Creek drains an area of 69 acres (28 ha), some of which includes high intensity burn. The first step in the rehabilitation of the fire site was to stabilize 42 acres (17 ha) of steep slopes within the high intensity burn areas up-slope of South Fork of Big Wash. The treatment used for this area was directional log felling. Directional log felling is when 6-12 inch (15-30 cm) diameter trees from the burn area are felled and anchored along the contour of the slope. The trees are arranged in a pattern similar to brick work, with several feet between logs and rows. The logs form a maze, not a dam, so that runoff is slowed allowing sediments to settle out behind the logs. The next step in the post-fire rehabilitation was to anchor erosion control netting, particularly biodegradable coir (shredded coconut) matting, in drainage channels to stabilize exposed soil and ash as well as collect sediments from up-slope areas. The coir matting was seeded using a native plant mix in order to promote revegetation and enhance future erosion control. Over 32,000 sq. ft. (2973 m2) of coir matting were installed on the fire site. As of the beginning of November, the rehabilitation project is nearly complete. After two rain events, the treatments are working as planned, and we have confidence that the rehabilitation will be successful. Midden Table of Contents