Upper Clark Fork River SuperFund Reach

Once cherished as a renowned fishery and vital habitat, after over a century of mining operations, the Upper Clark Fork River is now the center of the nation’s largest Superfund site - and one of the most remarkable restoration stories in the world. From the 1860s to the late 20th century, massive mining and smelting operations in Butte and Anaconda and related logging, roadbuilding, rail-building, and large-scale agricultural development profoundly impacted the headwaters and tributaries of the Clark Fork watershed and surrounding communities. Pollution from these industries damaged aquifers, landscapes, and the river system for hundreds of square miles. Then, in 1908, a catastrophic flood carried tons of metals-laced sediment downstream, leaving legacy contamination that covers 120 miles of floodplain. Watershed Restoration Group has provided services for decades in countless phases of the restoration of the Clark Fork River drainage.

Silver Bow Creek Revegetation

Montana Dept. of Justice, Natural Resource Damage Program (NRDP) – Anaconda, MT

For over 20 years, yearly planting of 50,000 – 85,000 native plants of varied sizes from 4 cu.in. herbaceous plugs to 30-gallon ball & burlap, coordination of deliveries, appropriate distribution of a diverse mix of 30+ species, browse control fencing construction. Once cherished as a fishery

Milltown Dam Restoration

Montana Dept. of Justice, Natural Resource Damage Program (NRDP) – ​Milltown, MT
In addition to multiple large-scale and diverse revegetation phases throughout many years of construction.

Built 3 miles of soil lifts for the newly constructed Clark Fork River channel over a three year period

Received, staged and cared for many semi loads of Tall-1 gallon and Tall-8 gallon plants

Established a new innovative method to effectively install the large sized plants into challenging floodplain cobble

Planted tall 8 gallon plants of mixed species

Installed weed mat and browse protection on all plants

Carried out sod salvage storage and care

Built wildlife exclosure fencing

Installed vegetated coir logs

Identified, mapped, and harvested over 100,000 willow cuttings

Installed and operated irrigation system for summer watering

Carried out many maintenance activities including: cattle fence construction, weed mowing, brush sawing, fence repair and removal

Maintained detailed project records for reporting

Planned and implemented complex staging, site coordination, contractor and client collaboration

Met high safety standards

Clark Fork River Restoration

Montana Dept. of Justice, Natural Resource Damage Program (NRDP) – Upper Clark Fork River
Collected over 150,000 live willow cuttings for soil lift construction