Ponds, Lakes, and Wetlands

MacMillan Ranch Stream Restoration and Pond Creation

     The MacMillan Ranch, located on the southern end of the Crazy Mountains in Montana, retained Confluence to develop fishing opportunities. Efforts include a full inventory of aquatic resource enhancement opportunities, the restoration of 1.5 miles of creek, and the creation of a small but very fishable and aesthetically-pleasing streamside pond. In addition, a total of 12 pools were created on an existing creek to allow native cutthroat trout to grow and flourish. As part of the project, we applied for and received all necessary permits and water rights.

Bear Creek Waterfowl Enhancement

     Confluence developed waterfowl habitat features to improve hunting on a ranch in Ennis, Montana. These improvements included a pond, providing open water and wetland habitat and a grain plot that can be flooded in the fall. The open water areas provide habitat for loafing and safety from predators, and the wetland areas provide forage and nesting habitat. The flooded grain plot serves as additional forage and attracts waterfowl during the fall hunting season. The plot is planted with grain and seasonally flooded using a diversion, a conveyance ditch, and low berm to impound water. Spring water will be used to supply the wetlands and grain plot, which attract large numbers of waterfowl by maintaining ice-free open water during the winter months.

Corral Creek Fishery and Waterfowl Habitat Improvement

     Confluence provided a variety of services to a large ranch in the southern Madison Valley of Montana interested in maximizing angling and waterfowl habitat opportunities. Efforts included the creation of trout habitat in a 5-acre wetland that was too shallow to support fish into an excellent fishery. In addition, the remainder of the wetland was enhanced by creating a diversity of water depths and planting native vegetation, greatly improving the wetland as a breeding, resting, and feeding area for local and migratory waterfowl. Confluence also deepened and augmented the habitat in an existing pond, which had slowly filled over the last thirty years, using methods that had no negative impact on the fishery during construction. Outlet works and the dam were also upgraded and modernized. The pond and wetland now support healthy populations of trout and waterfowl.

 

Silver Creek Preserve/ Kilpatrick Ponds Angling Enhancement

     Confluence was contracted by the Nature Conservancy to develop conceptual designs for a unique fishing enhancement project in the Kilpatrick Pond area on world-renowned Silver Creek in Picabo, Idaho. Over several decades, fine sediments accumulating behind a series of diversion dams had degraded Kilpatrick Pond, making it nearly impossible to fish. Designs called for selective removal of sediments to create a series of channels and islands accessible to belly boats. Challenges included development of specialty dredge and fill techniques that could be executed without impinging on existing habitat and excellent water quality.