County removes invasive tamarisk at Clifton Nature Park

In February, Mesa County temporarily closed Clifton Nature Park to allow crews to safely remove tamarisk along the southern and eastern pathways.

That work is part of a larger, ongoing effort to restore native habitat along the Colorado River and protect the long-term health of our open spaces.

Why tamarisk is a problem

Tamarisk, sometimes called salt cedar, was planted along western waterways in the early 1900s to stabilize riverbanks. Over time, it spread aggressively.

Today, it creates several challenges:

• Heavy water use: Tamarisk consumes large amounts of water in an already dry climate.
• Fire risk: It forms dense stands that act as “fire ladders,” connecting low shrubs to tall cottonwood trees. Cottonwoods are highly sensitive to fire. Tamarisk is not.
• Soil impacts: It increases salinity in the soil, making it harder for native plants to grow.
• Riverbank changes: While originally intended to reduce erosion, long-term growth can alter sediment patterns and undercut banks.

Left unmanaged, tamarisk can crowd out native vegetation and alter the riverbank landscape.

What Mesa County is doing

With support from a three-year America the Beautiful grant, Mesa County’s Noxious Weed and Pest team has been working to reduce tamarisk on county property along the Colorado River.

Crews are using a cut-stump method:

• Tamarisk is cut near the base.
• An aquatic-safe herbicide is applied directly to the stump.
• The removed material is chipped or piled for later burning.

Burning and chipping help return organic material to the soil. That improves conditions for native plants and reduces long-term maintenance needs.

This grant funding helps cover the significant upfront labor required to remove large, dense stands. Once those areas are cleared, crews can stay ahead of regrowth with targeted treatments that are far less labor-intensive.

Replacing tamarisk with native plants

Removal is only part of the strategy.

Mesa County is replanting native species, including:

• Skunkbush sumac
• Rubber rabbitbrush
• Fourwing saltbush
• Cottonwoods
• Alders and elders

These plants support wildlife, improve soil health and restore a more natural river corridor.

The county also seeded portions of the site last year to support long-term revegetation.

Working with community partners

This effort is a collaboration. Mesa County has worked with:

• Mesa County Trails Crew
• Mesa County Parks
• The Grand Valley Disc Golf Club
• Riverside Wes
• Volunteer groups

Plantings are being coordinated to enhance habitat while maintaining recreation areas. Volunteers will also assist with planting and watering native vegetation this spring.

What residents can expect

The majority of dense tamarisk at the Clifton site has already been removed. The remaining areas are lower density and expected to be completed within the next year.

After that, the focus shifts to monitoring, maintenance and native plant establishment.

Short-term closures and visible work can feel disruptive. Long-term, this work protects:

• River health
• Wildlife habitat
• Reduce wildfire risk
• Public safety
• The quality of our open spaces

Mesa County remains committed to managing invasive species responsibly and restoring native landscapes for future generations.