Rye Creek

Streamside Restoration

Location

Private land on Rye Creek, a tributary to the upper mainstem of the Bitterroot River nearest Conner in the Sapphire Mountains.

Goals

Our goal was to stabilize the streamside with native vegetation rather than detrimental ‘rip-rap’ or hard materials. Instead of relying on large rocks for stabilization, we’re using woody debris, soils, willows, cobble from the banks, and biodegradable coconut fabric. These materials provide roughness that will slow water to reduce bank erosion, promote plant growth and provide better in-stream and streamside habitat for wildlife.

Reasoning

An interested landowner approached the Water Partnership for help with an eroding bank on his property. Rye Creek banks are eroding unnaturally fast because the land was heavily logged in the past, and huge sections were severely burned in 2000, and the soil is generally highly erosive. Eroding stream banks means degraded streamside habitat and polluted waters. The sediment first pours into Rye Creek from the hillsides and makes its way to the Bitterroot River.

Project Description

The Water Partnership and 35 volunteers worked for 300 hours to repair the damaged banks of Rye Creek. Cutting willows, collecting woody debris, making stakes, creating soil lifts, and planting riparian area shrubs were designed to stabilize the bank and provide a healthier habitat for wildlife. This team collected 5,000 willows and 30 cubic yards of woody debris to help repair and stabilize the streamside.

Timeline

2012-2015

Partners

Montana Department of Environmental Quality, WGM Group, Geum Environmental Consulting, MT DNRC, Gardner Excavating, McAlpine Family, Elliot Family, 

Cost

$42,000