North Burnt Fork Creek in Stevensville suffers from sediment pollution, warming water temperatures, and substantial loss of native vegetation along its streambanks. The Bitterroot Water Partnership has an opportunity to partner with a local landowner, The New Frontier Ministries, to enhance streamside vegetation along ~500 feet of the creek just west of the bridge on Wild Fowl Lane. The ministry group utilizes outdoor recreation such as fishing and hiking to mentor father-son relationships. Prioritizing habitat enhancement along the North Burnt Fork fulfills the mission of both organizations.

The project area was historically grazed and shows signs of non-native weed growth. The southern streambank in particular lacks common native vegetation that provides shade for the creek and habitat for a variety of wildlife, including native bull and cutthroat Trout present in the North Burnt Fork.

Restoration of streamside habitat will address many of this stream’s threats at once: they will grow roots to hold the bank together minimizing erosion, they will shade waters to keep them cool for aquatic life, and by slowing water they will help recharge groundwater.

Tolan Creek, a tributary to the East Fork of the Bitterroot River, was heavily impacted by the Trail Ridge Fire—which burned 62% of the watershed at moderate to high severity. The fire destroyed vegetation and soil organic matter, making the area highly susceptible to erosion, leading to widespread debris flows in 2023. The debris flows scoured riparian vegetation and caused the failure of several road-stream crossings, including a major culvert that is completely blocked with large woody debris. The significant sediment deposition in Tolan Creek is threatening aquatic habitats and increasing the risk of erosion and sedimentation in downstream reaches. The continued erosion of unstable debris fields could lead to long-term degradation of water quality and fish habitat in the East Fork Bitterroot River.

BWP staff first became interested in engaging in the Tolan Creek watershed after hearing from multiple community members in June 2023 about excessively “muddy” runoff in the East Fork. Speculation during the Cash for Cutthroats event was that a landowner upstream of Lazy J Cross was illegally using heavy equipment in the stream channel. Later that year, when visiting with a landowner on the East Fork, whose property contains the mouth of Tolan Creek, he told of the destruction and aftermath of the fires that created the sediment pulses and shared a video he took from a helicopter ride around the watershed.

Thanks to a partnership with the Bitterroot National Forest, BWP aims to restore the Tolan Creek watershed to a stable and functioning ecosystem that supports critical habitats for Bull Trout and westslope cutthroat trout. The area is also known for its elk hunting—the 2000 burns opened up the canopy and created a lot of good forage. During field visits partners have seen an abundance of moose, deer, and bear scat.

The project will improve water quality in the East Fork Bitterroot River, which is vital for local fisheries and recreation. The restored watershed will provide long-term ecological and economic benefits to the community by supporting critical habitat and the recreation economy dependent on cool, clean water—especially in the headwaters of the Bitterroot.