Slip and slide dam decommissioning

USFS, Custer Gallatin National Forest - Gardiner, MT

Slip and Slide was a wetland restoration project. On the property, there were three ponds contained by earthen dams that were weakening over time and considered hazardous, as the bodies of water were home to the aquatic invasive Curly-leaf Pondweed. The ponds were drained to reduce the risk of the invasive weed from entering the Yellowstone River and subsequently the now exposed wetland areas restored to a natural state.

The goal of the project was to create a passive wetland system that would provide high-quality habitat by creating and retaining wetland structures and providing areas for aquatic and terrestrial wildlife to flourish. The completion of this project has resulted in a new wetland environment and corridor for elk and other wildlife.

In pursuit of the project goals, our crews procured, planted and watered 4975 tall 2-gallon plants; constructed nearly 10,000 linear feet of wildlife exclosure fencing; constructed 525 linear feet of beaver dam analogs; seeded and fertilized 12 acres of wetland and upland; harvested and installed 2025 willow stakes and provided client consultation for field-fitting of plants, exclosures, and BDAs.