Stream Design and Restoration

Bear Creek Stream Restoration

      Bear Creek, a tributary to the Madison River near Ennis, Montana, had been severely degraded from years of poor land management. This resulted in significant bank erosion and poor habitat for adult trout. For example, only four pools could be found in over 4,200 feet of stream channel. Overgrazing and vegetation control had also depleted the riparian corridor of nearly all woody species such as willows, river birch, dogwood, and cottonwood. These land use practices resulted in a stream channel that had become overly wide, covered with fine sediment, and devoid of many of the habitat features essential to a healthy trout population. Confluence restored Bear Creek by constructing over 40 pools and runs, creating spawning beds, adding woody debris for cover, and restoring the riparian corridor with 600 native shrubs and trees. In addition, grazing was halted to allow the stream corridor to recover. Currently, Bear Creek has a rapidly recovering riparian corridor and a growing brown trout fishery.


Deep Creek Meander Reactivation/Grayling Habitat Restoration Project

     As subcontractors to Kingfisher, Inc., Confluence assessed the feasibility of, and designed and oversaw construction of meander re-activation on Deep Creek, a major tributary for grayling spawning and production on the Big Hole River in Montana. The horseshoe-shaped meander had been cut off by a new, unstable channel created by recent flooding. To meet geomorphic objectives, we increased the bedload-transporting efficiency of the meander by changing the entrance and exit angles, balancing grade through the removal of thousands of yards of accumulated gravel. Bank bioengineering, transplant of mature willows and sod mats, and excavation of pool-riffle sequences were used to create desired habitat. Inventory of the grayling use in the restored meander indicates use comparable to upstream benchmark habitat, indicating project success.


Little Calumet River Corridor Recreational Development and Mitigation

     Confluence is a member of a three-firm team seeking to restore and enhance over 15 miles of the Little Calumet River in Northwest Indiana. The Little Calumet River presents significant opportunities to preserve and restore some of the only remaining parcels of native habitat and undeveloped land in the region. The project will create a nearly continuous corridor along the Little Calumet River that would connect with the Indiana Dunes National Park near Burns Harbor. The project will provide much needed recreational opportunities for residents of this highly urbanized region in addition to creating significant dispersal corridors for wildlife and native vegetation.

     Conceptual designs are being developed to create:

     The project is presently in the concept development and funding phases, with the goal of designing and implementing the work over the next five to ten years.


Brush Creek Channel Stabilization and Greenway Development

     To fulfill town master plan goals for an "aesthetic and functional gateway corridor" worthy of a world class resort, the community of Snowmass Village, Colorado obtained EPA 319 funds to restore several thousand feet of Brush Creek. This stream had become highly incised due to increased flood flows from urbanization (impervious surfaces) and the highly erodible soils found in the drainage. Prior to restoration, the stream flowed in an unstable gully up to 8 feet deep. Mr. John McCarty developed the conceptual designs and retained Confluence to oversee final design, channel reconstruction, landscaping and greenway development phases. To create a channel capable of withstanding mountain floods, the channel was constructed with thousands of large boulders to create a series of step pools. In addition, the channel bed was raised up to six feet in places, evenly distributing grade and hydraulic energy. The riparian area was re-contoured and planted with native vegetation. The project has become a showpiece for the town.


Bent Rod Bluff Fishing Enhancements

     Confluence provided complete habitat evaluation, design, and construction oversight services on the restoration of over three miles of spring creek and a side channel to the Green River in central Wyoming. Thorough inventory and analysis indicated that the spring creek fishery was grossly under potential due to an excessive fine sediment supply, and a lack of spawning habitat and adult trout cover. The restoration plan addressed these limiting factors and has since converted the creek into a trophy fishery supporting trout up to 27 inches. Green River channel enhancements emphasized the creation of high quality angling opportunities where none previously existed. The combined fisher of the spring creek and Green River provide fantastic opportunities to catch rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, and Green River cutthroat trout.


Silver Spring Restoration and Property Enhancement

     Confluence's services were retained by a Montana broker of high quality fishing and hunting properties to increase the value of a premier fishing ranch in southwest Montana. The focal point of the property was a 25+ cubic-foot-per-second spring creek, which originated on site and flowed approximately one mile to the Ruby River. While the stream had excellent water quality, it was physically substantially degraded by historic land use, and was holding only a few large trout. Recognizing its potential to become a blue-ribbon fishery, Confluence developed designs, acquired permits, and completed the work within a two-month timeframe. Following restoration, the creek has developed an excellent population of large brown trout and provides spawning opportunities for resident and migrating fish. As a result of this work, the broker was able to successfully market the property and obtain a higher selling price for his client.