Our Waters, Our Ways of Life
The Bitterroot Water Partnership leads reliable and intentional conservation initiatives that promote and provide clean, ample water for people and healthy habitats by working with key partners and our communities.
How we serve
Restoration
Restoring private and public lands to enhance habitat, maintain clean & resilient waterways, and help landowners achieve management goals.
Building Community
Curating opportunities that help us connect to each other so we can work together to keep waterways clean and plentiful for the benefit of all.
Learning
Hosting youth and adult learning programs to share the wonders and importance of water in the Bitterroot, and develop a community of stewards.
Headwaters Mine Watch
Don’t let a headwaters mine at Sheep Creek jeopardize our waters & ways of life.
Recent Projects
Tolan Creek, Headwaters to the East Fork
150-acre wetland restoration with natural ‘beaver dam mimics’ to increase water storage.
In this public land restoration partnership, volunteers installed over 30 ‘beaver dam analogues’ that will help slow water and rebuild a functioning wetland habitat. Then, this habitat can store and slowly release clean, cold water to downstream areas instead of warm, muddy waters.
Cameron Creek – 2025
Protection & restoration of a 3/4 mile stretch of Cameron Creek near Sula.
In this private landowner partnership, restoration can provide better habitat for fish and wildlife while helping the landowner retain water and property value. Thousands of willows will be planted to keep waters cool, reduce sediment pollution, and restore critical food and breeding habitat.
North Burnt Fork Creek
Streamside restoration and cattle management enhancements for this Stevensville Creek.
Working land managers care about promoting stream health, too – and not just because it has benefits for their own property and water storage capacity. 500 feet of restored stream, plus an ‘off stream watering station’ and a ‘guided cattle crossing’ help this landowner keep cattle traffic out of sensitive stream habitat while still meeting livestock management goals.
Water-Wise Landscaping
Save water, save money, save wildlife.
Find a collection of resources and programs that can help conserve water from home, keeping our Bitterroot River clean, cool, and flowing. Sign up for a Workshop, get a pre-planned native plant garden, or volunteer to install a demo garden.
Conservation Highlights
Stream De-Fence: How a Fence Cleans A River
From Muddy to Mighty – Restoring North Burnt Fork one Section at a Time
Dam! That’s Impressive. The HOW and WHY of Tolan Creek Beaver Dam Analogues
Community Perspective: Investing in the Future of Our Bitterroot Waters
The Bitterroot Watershed is complex and diverse.
Stay Connected with local conservation
Stay up-to-date with conservation wins, fun events, and a steady stream of ways you can help care for our beautiful Bitterroot waters & cherished wildlife. Subscribe to our email newsletter or follow us on social media.