The Reserve on the East River – Gunnison, Colorado

This exclusive, 1500-acre recreation development included a 65-acre monoculture meadow. To transform it into a diverse, riparian upland ecosystem, Jim Sell Design diverted the East River through a series of streams and drop structures to create nine new fishing ponds, wetlands, streams, and trails. These provide an improved and biologically diverse wildlife habitat as well as a backdrop for native shrubs, grasses, and other Rocky Mountain plants.

In addition, 10 miles of roads and driveways were created to accommodate the project’s mountain homes on aspen-wooded hillsides with a 20% average slope. All disturbed areas have been successfully revegetated.

Jim Sell Design's engineering, landscape architecture and computer modeling team worked closely on all aspects of the road and driveway design, resulting in a safe, environmentally friendly and beautiful project. Slopes were quickly re-vegetation, resulting in minimal erosion.