Middle Yellowstone Channel Migration Easement Site

In-Lieu Fee (ILF) | Wetland, Stream | Channel Migration Easement

Location

East of Forsyth, Rosebud County, Montana | Middle Yellowstone Watershed #14

Status

Construction completed in 2016
5-year monitoring phase will last through 2022

Partners
  • The Nature Conservancy

Project Summary

Watershed District:
Middle Yellowstone

We partnered with The Nature Conservancy to place a Channel Migration Easement (CME) on this beautiful property on the eastern stretches of the Yellowstone River. The easement encompasses irrigated cropland, pastureland, forested riparian habitat, diverse wetlands, and gravel bars along the shoreline. The landowners have volunteered to restrictions on stabilizing banklines, while other activities such as farming and livestock grazing will be permitted within the easement.

This CME protected over 150 acres of floodplain, 5,340 feet of bankline, and 12 acres of wetland. The natural migration of a river is critical for flood mitigation, water quality, and fish, plant, and wildlife habitat.

To learn more about this important CME, watch our film “Shape of a River”, below.