Unhealthy Stream Types 



Common in Montana 



Entrenched/Incised Stream 



• slope 2-4% 



• gully-shaped channel 



• no access to floodplain 



Does Stability = Health? 



If you're like most stream managers, you'll ask yourself, "Is my stream stable? 



Instead, ask yourself the more relevant question: "Is my stream 



healthy?" Many healthy streams seem unstable as they react over 



time to normal erosion and other natural disturbances. A healthy 



stream is moving both water and sediment in a state of natural 



balance; in doing so, it provides a rich diversity of plant and 



animal life. 





As you think about your stream's health, ask yourself 

 these questions: 



1. Is my stream moving water and sediment in balance? 



2. Is my stream accessing the floodplain? 



3. Are the banks protected by healthy riparian vegetation 

 with dense, bank-binding roots? 



4. Is my stream's sinuosity, gradient, or channel shape changing? 



5. What is happening in the watershed and how is that affecting my stream? 



6. Is my stream in balance with the surrounding environment? 



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