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| East Gallatin River |
Gallatin County, Montana |
Primary Project Type: Instream Restoration
Secondary Type: |
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This photo shows the treatment bank on the Slater ranch before treatment. The b... |
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Primary Problem: Bank Instability
Secondary Problem: |
| Main Restoration Action(s): Bioengineering |
| Native Fish Focus: N/A |
Is this project part of a watershed scale restoration? No
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| Project Dates: Jan. 2002 to Jan. 2003 |
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Initial Monitoring: 1969 to 2002
Restoration Implementation: 2002 to 2003
Follow-up Monitoring: 2003 to 2012 |
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Lead Agency:
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Future Fisheries Program
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| Project Partners: |
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| Project Location:
The project occurred on the Sam, Janis, and Donna Huffman property at 2971 Springhill Rd, and the Chuck Slater property at 1220 Nelson Rd., Gallatin County, Montana.
Click here for map.
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| Project Description:
The East Gallatin River has a long history of impacts from agriculture and urban development. Currently this river is listed on the Montana Department of Environmental Quality’s 303(d) list of impaired water bodies; it is considered impaired due to increased sedimentation. Bank stabilization procedures often are implemented to reduce sedimentation problems and control natural movements of the river. The goal of the East Gallatin River Restoration Project was to construct a demonstration project along the East Gallatin River using new and innovative approaches to bank stabilization. This project was started as a cooperative endeavor between local land owners, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the Montana Water Center, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. Hard armor (riprap) generally is the preferred method of bank stabilization for land owners or land managers. This method of stabilization, however, reduces suitable fish and riparian habitat and can lead to channelization. In addition, riprap generally is oversized and excessive in streams the size of the East Gallatin River. Alternative methods are available, yet many engineers and landowners are reluctant to try new methods without precedent. This project was designed to demonstrate the effectiveness of “soft” bank stabilization methods on private land by utilizing innovative methods and native materials to reestablish riparian vegetation and improve fish habitat. |
| Project Goals: The goal of this project was to demonstrate “soft” bank stabilization methods using native materials as a viable alternative to riprap. |
| Project Methods:
Slater Ranch: Approximately 240 feet of eroding bank were part of the demonstration project. Huffman Ranch: Three eroding banks totaling approximately 450 feet were selected for treatment using bioengineered bank treatments. Three different treatments were developed to address varying conditions for each of the three bank erosion problems. These bank treatments incorporated varying levels of protection to demonstrate the application of appropriate stabilization strategies to site-specific risk factors associated with each type of bank failure.
Click here for detailed project methods including diagrams and photos.
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The first job in this restoration project was to pull the bank back to allow roo... |
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Once the bank was pulled back D-50 cobble (diameter=50% of what will move in a s... |
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| Monitoring Data and Collection
Methods: Although monitoring data have not yet been collected, the following monitoring methods will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the project. Photographic data collection points were selected at the beginning of the project. These points will be used throughout the duration of the study and will provide documentation on the stability of the treated banks. Fish data also will be used to determine project effectiveness. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks began conducting stream transects on this stretch of the East Gallatin River in the 1970’s. Electrofishing and stream transects will continue to be used to determine changes in fish usage and the effectiveness of bank stabilization methods.
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| Was this project effective
and how was this determined? The Slater implementation was on time and on budget. It remains to be seen, however, if the applied methods for bank stabilization will be successful.
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| Confounding Effects/Additional
Information: |
| Project
Specs (all specs are estimates): |
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Man Hours:
52
Cost of Materials:
$2545.00
Subcontracted Costs:
$1400 +($600.00 Drake in kind)
Overall Estimated Cost:
$6120.00
Landowner Contribution:
Cash: $1000.00 In-kind: $575.00 |
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| For more information on this project
contact: |
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William C. Fraser, Montana Water Center, MSU, Email: wfraser@montana.edu
Pat Byorth, MT FWP, Email: pbyorth@montana.edu
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| This information
was collected by: William C. Fraser |
| Project last updated on: 4/6/2007 |
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