Tribes' Non-Point Source Pollution Prevention Program helps to restore the Little Bitterroot River

By Lloyd Stevens, Jr.
CSKT Non-Point Source Coordinator

PABLO — The Little Bitterroot River is clearly the most impaired of all the major tributaries to the lower Flathead River. A century of hydro-modification and grazing have left a heavy mark on this semi-arid valley floor stream.

The 2002 CSKT Water Quality Assessment Report lists the lower Little Bitterroot as not supporting aquatic life, drinking water, or recreation uses. One of the Non-Point Source Program's goals is restoration of the Little Bitterroot River in order to make it a viable habitat for wildlife, such as native Bull Trout. Currently the program is focusing on a segment of the river along the McDonald ranch, which is located near Niarada.

As part of a grant funded by the EPA, the NPS program was able to place fencing along this segment. The fencing is keeping cattle from grazing and defecating directly in and around the Little Bitterroot River corridor in this area.

The Little Bitterroot directly above the ranch has more of a natural configuration (meanders and pools), and is more heavily vegetated than the river reach immediately below the ranch. This allows for a more suitable fish and wildlife habitat. Work to restore the lower segment of the Little Bitterroot to a more natural configuration will be performed this year. This restoration work will include the construction of 2 to 3 meanders and creation of adjacent pools protected with vegetation to allow more suitable habitat for fish.