APPROACH
This photo shows a degraded stream prior to restoration
This shows the same stream five years after restoration
Depending on the nature of the problem, our approach to stream restoration usually begins with fish population surveys and assessments of habitat quality. This information enables the entire restoration process so that trout data can tell the story of biological recovery. In addition to fish populations, we assess land use (e.g., past timber harvest, riparian grazing, irrigation and dewatering) apply bankfull theory, measure reference reaches and tailor assessement methods to the individual stream environment.
Using this approach, pre-treatment data collections identify limiting factors as well as habitat potential. This information not only helps identify design targets, it also facilitates agency permitting and offers a baseline for biological monitoring and adaptive management. Our approach is science-based, ecologically comprehensive, and follows the natural channel design philosophy. We apply proven restoration techniques that are both biologically and physically appropriate to the stream environment. See the below photo points, our Report Section and Photo Gallery for details and contact us with any questions.
Damaged and Restored Streams
This project, located on a small, high-gradient stream in western Montana, required full channel renaturalization, which included wood-formed plunge pools and scour holes along with instream flow enhancement and revegetation along with the watershed’s natural hydrology. Note the unstable vertical banks on the photo on the left compared to more natural step-pool channel morphology on the right. The photo on the right shows the project immediatley after construction. Bull trout are now using the new channel for spawning and rearing.
This project involved the placement of instream wood to restore pool features and diversity overall habitat complexity. The project survived a 50-year flood and improved fish popution abundance over the long-term.
These photos from western Montana show a channel remnant (left), along with a fully restored alluvial channel (right). This project included full channel reconstruction, suberged wood and revegetation, instream flow enhancement and irrigation upgrades to enhance late season flows. The photo on the right was taken two years post-restoration. Spawning conditions have improved dramatically. Fish population monitoring is ongoing.
This project, located in central Idaho, involved sediment removal along with channel restoration and spawning habitat enhancement. Development of alternative upstream grazing practices and irrigation system upgrades were also essential project elements. The diversity of native fish species and abundance of wild trout has increased dramatically in this stream.
This project, also located in central Idaho, included the full channel restoration to optimize trout habitat. Enhanced instream flows, grazing managment, wetland restoration and revegetation were additional project elements. The diversity and abundance of trout have increased dramatically in this stream.
This photoset from western Montana shows the planned channel realighment (left), as well as a fully restored stream six years post-treatment (right). The project reestablished a migration corridor for westslope cutthroat trout while improving overall habitat condtiions.
This photo set from western Montana shows a degraded and dewatered spring creek (left) as well as a newly restored stream (right). In addition to channel restoration, the project included instream flow enhancement, grazing managment changes, fish passage improvement and wetland restoration. Migratory westlope cutthroat are now reestablished in this stream system.