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Trail Work Along St. Vrain After Flood Helps Lyons Residents, Wildlife

LYONS, Colo. (CBS4)- Trails that run along the St. Vrain River between Lyons and Estes Park are getting much-needed repairs after last year's devastating flooding.

The river heavily damaged Lyons and the highway between that town and Estes Park.

Part of the repair work in the area includes trails that aren't used only by hikers but also wildlife.

"It's going to make it easier for them to move up and down without getting into roads and people's backyards once we get the trails rebuilt," said Lyons Parks & Recreation Commissioner Reed Farr.

Water conservation experts say the flood had a positive impact because it flushed out all the ash and sediment that recent wildfires left behind in all the streams.

"One thing that we did notice that the waters were a lot clearer because it flushed out everything that wasn't supposed to be there so we're still assessing the damage but the trout population fared pretty well through the floods," said Stephanie Scott, Outreach Coordinator of Colorado Trout Unlimited.

Trout Unlimited said they're working with landowners to rebuild irrigation structures and create corridors for trout to migrate up and down the stream.

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