• Stream and riparian quality declines from near pristine conditions in headwater areas to severe degradation in the lower reaches.
• Dewatering of the system through trans-basin and within-basin diversions is a major factor in the decline of stream and riparian habitat quality, by increasing waterborne pollutant concentrations and decreasing the frequency, duration, and intensity of flushing flows during the runoff season.
• Disturbance to the riparian habitat is often one-sided in narrower valleys where highways alongside streams displace habitat, and contribute significant amounts of sedimentation and other road-based pollutants to the stream. This is especially visible in the Frying Pan and Crystal River valleys.
• Throughout the middle and lower parts of the watershed, riparian habitat has been severely degraded or eliminated by residential and commercial development, agriculture, and recreational use. This, in turn, has caused degradation to the adjacent stream habitats.
• In many places throughout the watershed where habitats have been slightly, moderately, or heavily degraded, the disturbance can be arrested and often reversed simply by a change in land management procedures.
• A number of Conservation Areas of Concern have been identified by this project throughout the watershed. These are areas where the habitat is often still in good condition, with significant wildlife value, that warrant immediate efforts for protection.

In spite of intense land development pressure, there are still areas where healthy riparian habitat survives, such as here near El Jebel. In places like this, stable stream banks have a beneficial effect on fish habitat, and the riparian vegetation provides diverse habitat for birds and other wildlife.