Stream De-Fence: How a Fence Cleans A River
A Cameron Creek Case Study: 2026 Restoration in Sula, Montana
Meeting Diverse Bitterroot Needs
Agriculture is a cornerstone of our Bitterroot communities, culture, and economy. Some agriculture practices, like flood irrigation, also play a critical role in water conservation in the Bitterroot. In fact, many farmers and ranchers are conservation-minded and opt for practices that protect habitat and water. Sometimes this includes reversing the decisions of their predecessors, which included actions like straightening streams, adding rip-rap (boulders and concrete slabs) to naturally meandering waterways, and allowing cattle to graze unchecked near and in streams. One way landowners are protecting their streams today is with fencing, managing against unlimited cattle grazing – and the Bitterroot Water Partnership is glad to help them do it.
The Bitterroot needs open-land cattle ranches, and cattle need healthy forage and water. However, cattle that are left to erase critical streamside vegetation can cause damage to our waters and habitats that takes years to reverse. Without strong roots to hold the land together, streams without vegetation are bound to erode, dumping tons of sediment into the water, muddying it and clogging aquatic breeding habitats. Then, sun-exposed creeks (see picture) across the Bitterroot are warming, threatening fish survival. (Ream more about concerns of sediment HERE)
3/4 mile of Cameron Creek is now protected by fencing, expertly installed by Mays Fencing.
Recently transplanted willow cuttings will grow roots that hold the streamside together, preventing currently high erosion at this site. This natural streamside habitat will prevent 17 tons of entering the East Fork of the Bitterroot each year.
Streamside habitat provides a collection of benefits for the landowner and wildlife alike. Strong roots prevent land from washing away, and they slow water, sucking it underground so this landowner can keep more water on their property. These plants will eventually grow to provide sufficient shade for this currently naked stream, keeping waters cool for cold-water loving trout. Plus, animals like moose, owls, eagles, and elk depend on healthy streamside vegetation.
Volunteers poked long, quarter-diameter holes in the soft streamside soil before plugging each with a 4 – 10 foot willow cutting.
Volunteers harvest willow cuttings from this property, cutting them down before planting them near the stream.
2026 Restoration Impacts
In 2025, we joined long-time partners at Shining Mountain Ranch in a massive protection effort: fencing a 3/4 mile section of Cameron Creek, prohibiting cattle grazing in this degraded system. To jumpstart recover, volunteers are in the midst of a two-year effort to plant upwards of 8,000 native willows.
Calculations suggest this restoration will prevent 17 tons, or three dump trucks full, of sediment from entering the stream and River each year!
Cameron Creek is one of the warmest creeks entering the Bitterroot, with some sections reaching up to 70F. In a few years shade from this healthy vegetation will help keep these waters cool – and fish and other wildlife alive. You can read more about this restoration project HERE.
Partnership in Conservation
This project was powered by community donations, funding from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Owners and Managers of Shining Mountain Ranch, Mays Fencing, staff from Bitterroot Water Partnership, and 25 volunteers…and counting!!!
If you’re interested in restoring or protecting stream habitat on your property, contact us at info@bitterrootwater.org or call 406-375-2272.
Otherwise you can participate in this conservation impact by:
- Subscribing to our e-newsletter to get project updates
- Volunteering with us!
- Donating to fund more work like this
