Upper willow creek habitat restoration
Montana Chapter of Trout Unlimited - Rock Creek, MT
Water quality in Upper Willow Creek is listed as impaired under section 303 of the Clean Water Act for “alterations in physical habitat substrate and littoral vegetative cover” caused by agricultural practices along the stream channel. Impacts from alterations made to the channel and vegetation include degraded aquatic and riparian habitat, increased water temperatures, and increased sediment and nutrient loading to the stream. These conditions reduce the ecological resiliency of the Upper Willow Creek Watershed and negatively impact fisheries and wildlife.
The Upper Willow Creek Phase 2 Low Tech Habitat Restoration Project was a collaborative project designed to improve a 4500-feet reach of degraded stream channel and floodplain habitat and address water quality impairments. A tributary to Upper Rock Creek located outside of Philipsburg, MT. It has been prioritized for restoration efforts because it supports several aquatic species of conservation concern, including western pearlshell mussels and nonhybridized westslope cutthroat trout populations.
The project used a combination of low-tech restoration methods, including, installation of beaver dam analogs (BDAs) and post assisted log structures (PALSs).
The goals of the project included: 1. Elevate the water table by slowing the flow of water and reconnecting floodplain surfaces to increase frequency of floodplain inundation. 2. Improve year-round water availability and increase ecosystem resiliency to drought. 3. Improve habitat suitability for native fish, particularly bull trout. 4. Restore natural channel processes and aquatic habitat complexity. 5. Improve riparian habitat and increase the presence and growth of riparian woody vegetation 6. Improve water quality and reduce water temperatures.
Given our experience with low-tech processed based restoration, We were contracted to build 60 large beaver dam analog and post-assisted log structures, including harvesting of willow cuttings and staging of the large volume of material. We are slated to continue these efforts in the upcoming years.
