Stream Restoration in Montana--focus on the Clark Fork

Stream restoration is currently a multi-billion dollar, nationwide enterprise enjoying the focus of numerous professional organizations, universities, policy, and citizen groups. The challenge of restoring damaged riverine ecosystems has driven interdisciplinary river science and policy as no other contemporary catalyst—but it hasn’t always been that way. The earliest years of restoration, or more appropriately named “fish habitat manipulation” in Montana (and nationwide) evolved from “make-work” programs during the 1930’s depression. Subsequent efforts in the 1960’s and 1970’s drew from that experience and traditional civil engineering, river mechanics. The Rosgen-based enterprise, initiated in the 1980’s, spawned a new geomorphic approach to river restoration, brought fluvial geomorphology out of the closet, helped create the “river-restoration market”, and ultimately provided incentives for academics to contribute to the current state of the art. Montana has both lagged and lead the nation in river restoration and preservation efforts. The Stream Protection Act of 1963 and Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act of 1975 established permitting systems requiring integration of protection measures into stream alterations. The River Restoration Program (now known as Future Fisheries) enacted by the 1989 legislature recognized conservation of streams is of “vital social and economic importance to Montana” and established a funding for river and fishery restoration. Other programs including MTDEQ’s 319 Program and DNRC’s Loan and Grant Program provide additional funding sources. Montana has developed a vibrant river-restoration industry with over 30 Montana-based consultants and several University programs (MSU’s Watercourse and UM’s Center for Riverine Science) providing access to rapidly improving, cutting-edge science essential to effective stream restoration