SUN RIVER 



WATERSHED 



TOUR 



Lewis and Clark 



Showcasing the work ihat Ihc Sun River Walcrshcii Group has 

 spearheaded in Uic past five years, Ihe tour participants made four 

 slops in the three conservation districts. 



ilie Lewis and Clark Conscr\ation Dislricl slop was at landowner 

 hred Scherrcr's property Fred and his w ifc. Phyllis, have participated 

 tn a large section of work completed on iheir property since 1996. 

 Lewis and Clark Consen-alion Dislncl, ihc LS fish and Wildlife 

 Service; the Montana Dcpanmenl of Kish, Wildlife and Parks, and 

 other agencies cooperated with the landowners lo accomplish stream 

 restoration efforts on tik Creek. The most recent work was finished 

 less than a year ago. 



This restoration project started the way many do. w iih the landowner, 

 Fred Schcrrcr, approaching Lewis and Clark Conservation Distnct 

 for a 310 permit to repair an eroding streambank in the late fall of 



1 994 After the proposed project site was reviewed, it was delcrmmcd 

 that, in addition to the eroding streambank. there were contributing 

 problems upstream with an irrigation diversion system. Additional 

 inventorv' in 1995 indicated thai a solution to the erosion problems 

 would be to mstall a diversion control structure as well as re-establish 

 a proper meander pattern m this stream reach. 



Restoration projects can be quite expensive. Consequently, during 

 the summer and fall ofl995. partnerships were formed with entities 

 interested in assisting financially and or technically with this 

 worthwhile project In addition to Fred and Phyllis Scherrer and 

 Lewis and Clark Conservation Distnct. these partners included the 

 L'S Fish and Wildlife Ser\'ice; Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife 

 and Parks; Last Chance Audubon Society; Missoun River Flyfishcrs; 

 and the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service. 



[lie initial construction phase ofthe project started m the late fall of 



1995 and was completed in the spnng of 19^6. Approximately I.OtX) 

 feet of streambank was restored during this phase of the project, A 

 fish-fnendly irrigation diversion was constructed using U>cal rock 

 and a screw-gate water control structure to eliminate the need for 

 annual damming of the nvcr. Re-vegctation was accomplished using 

 local sod transplants along the streambanks and seeding a native 

 grass mix in other disturbed areas. 



On April 21. 2000. Lewis and Clark 

 Ci>n.scrvalion District co-lwstcd a watershed 

 tour, akin^ with 7'etun County Con.servation 

 District. Cascade County Conservation 

 District, and the Sun River Watershed Group. 



onservation District 



406-449-5278 



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Additional impaired reaches of the river were identified with ongoing 



evaluation and monitonng of the site. Construction to rehabilitate an 

 additional 2.100 feet of stream was just completed dunng the fall of 1999 

 Local material was used to reshape and realign the stream channel into a 

 more stable pattern and profile, which will equate to a healthier stream system. 



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' been installed. 



Ovcr one mile of LIk Creek has now been enhanced as it flows through the 

 Scherrer property, which will directly benefit adjacent landowners, fisheries, 

 and local wildlife. 



I.eirit and Hark Contervattoit Dutnei. taieadf Counfy (onierranon DUtritt. Ttion Conxfrraliou Diimci. aitJ ihf Sun Rirtr HafcnkeJ (irmip 



