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Take a look around and you will surely spot a dipper on the river rocks, or maybe a
deer drinking along the willows. We can all understand the importance of clean
water. Just like us, land animals need a dependable supply of clean drinking
water. For fish and other aquatic animals the quality of water in the Big Thompson is even
more critical - they live and breathe surrounded by its very essence.
This environment is the Riparian zone - the thin green line of life that we find
wherever land meets water. This is where the watershed is working the hardest - cleaning the
water and keeping the river in its banks. The shape of the land and the communities of
plants that live in the Riparian zone work together to make the most efficient system we know
of for filtering pollutants and debris from the water. The soil, rocks and roots are a
living web that can withstand the power of running water - holding the river banks in place
and gently storing water like a sponge. With a properly functioning Riparian zone, we can
depend on a steady supply of clean water even during dry periods.
As you might expect, this unique environment supports a specialized
wildlife community. You will find plants and animals like the willow, the kingfisher, and the
beaver who have body parts and habits that help them feel at home in the Riparian area. Look
for the willow's thick mass of strong roots, the kingfisher's strong beak and short wings,
or the beaver's webbed feet. You can see cottonwood trees that only grow along the
water, ducks spending hours dabbling along in the shallows, and raccoons using their hands to
feel under water for treats.
 Since all animals must drink water several times a day, this is the best place to find
upland animals too - like rabbits, bighorn sheep, and great horned owls. They are not
specially adapted for the Riparian zone, but they do enjoy relaxing here. Look carefully at
places you might expect one of these animals to rest and you may see one today.
 Where else can we go to experience such a concentrated `mixing pot' of plants and
animals? By protecting our Riparian zones along the Big Thompson River we are investing
in both clean water and wildlife habitat.
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