In 2006 the Park County Land & Water Trust Fund provided funds to improve stream and riparian habitat conditions along one mile of the Middle Fork of the South Platte River at Santa Maria Ranch.
More specifically, the project was designed to stop excessive stream bank migration, reduce shale bank erosion, restore river stability, improve trout habitat, restore low flow side channels, and protect the bridge from stream scour.
This portion of Middle Fork is now available for public fly-fishing access, by reservation only, at South Park Fly Fishing (Santa Maria Ranch)