Confluence stream restoration specialists are working collaboratively with the Bozeman Creek Enhancement Committee (BCEC) to restore Bozeman Creek as it flows through Bogart Park. For over 30 years, this popular community playground and park has been host to Bozeman’s Farmer’s Market. Bozeman Creek flows six miles within the city limits to the confluence of the East Gallatin River. Over the decades, the creek has been channelized and tunneled through downtown as the city has grown. Gary Weiner of the National Park Service is coordinating restoration and public involvement. Gary’s services are on loan to the City of Bozeman through a grant. Primary objectives of the project are to restore water quality and natural processes of the creek. Last fall, Confluence stream restoration specialists and water resource engineers performed a site analysis and developed several conceptual plans. The benefits, risks, limitations, and relative costs of each alternative were presented to the public in a meeting at the Bozeman Public Library in early November. Alternatives ranged from widening the creek at select points to alleviate flooding, to adding a secondary channel, or slightly altering the location of the stream on the west side of the park. All alternatives are designed to create a meandering stream that brings visual appeal, fish habitat improvements, and better stream flow through Bogart Park. Confluence is completing the work to the BCEC at no charge to benefit the community that we live in and enjoy. Confluence Principal Jim Lovell has extensive experience restoring streams, trailways, and aquatic amenities in urban settings. His work throughout the U.S. has included parks, golf courses, urban walkways, and subdivision wetlands and ponds. Public comment on the Bozeman Creek project is welcome through the Bozeman Creek Enhancement Project webpage.

Wetland scientist Brian Sandefur and Stream Restoration Specialist Mike Sanctuary have recently assisted an Eagle Scout candidate on a stormwater detention and drain next to Sacajawea Middle School in Bozeman, MT.  With Brian’s guidance, the scout created a wetland community in the drainage area.  Brian and Mike also assisted in reducing thistle and weed infestation in areas near the school.

Confluence’s principal Jim Lovell recently helped mentor youth in a youth bird hunting program sponsored by Pheasants Forever.  In the months ahead, Jim will be helping Love Inc., a nondenominational Christian organization committed to helping needy in the Gallatin Valley.  Each year, Jim and his wife Sue purchase, package, and distribute food to the needy during the holidays. 

Kara Stermitz, Confluence’s Marketing Director, is continuing to keep her flyrod wet by assisting youth in Livingston’s classrooms in their science curriculum on streams, macroinvertebrates, and fish habitat.  Kara assists in the classrooms by helping students to identify insects and by helping with curriculum on stream dynamics.    Kara also volunteers for the Park High Ranger Boosters and Livingston Football Association.  Kara assists numerous community groups in grantwriting, helping to improve Livingston’s baseball fields, fund programs for disadvantaged youth, and improve community amenities.

Confluence recently completed the construction of two stream restoration projects near Pinedale, Wyoming. Each project involved narrowing existing stream channels using transplanted wetland sod mats and willows to improve fish habitat and sediment transport characteristics. In addition, high quality pool habitat was added to each stream to provide holding water for adult trout and fishing opportunities for anglers. The projects totaled over 2.5 miles of stream channel and were reviewed and approved by Wyoming Game and Fish biologists. Construction and labor were provided by Westslope Restoration, Inc. from Manhattan, Montana.

Before restoration Over-wide channel with a silt-laden streambed and very poor fish habitat.