highway 89 Assessment
US 89 Aquatic Assessment for Yellowstone Safe Passages
Program
Give Back to the Yellowstone
Watershed
Upper Yellowstone
Yellowstone Safe Passages (YSP) is a collaborative initiative involving state and federal agencies, conservation organizations, private foundations, local landowners, community groups, and businesses. Its mission is to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions along the US Highway 89 (US 89) corridor between Livingston and Gardiner, Montana.
Between 2022 and 2024, YSP conducted a comprehensive Wildlife and Transportation Assessment to identify priority areas for reducing wildlife-vehicle conflicts and to develop strategic recommendations for improving safety for both motorists and wildlife along this critical transportation route.
As part of this assessment, YSP contracted with Montana Freshwater Partners to evaluate aquatic organism passage at stream and river crossings along US 89 between Livingston and Gardiner. This work included on-the-ground field assessments and a technical report identifying barriers to fish and other aquatic species’ movement. The findings also provided recommendations for improving road and bridge infrastructure—particularly within the Yellowstone River floodplain and channel migration zone—to enhance aquatic connectivity, support riparian and river health, and increase infrastructure resilience.
Project Partners
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We work across Montana to restore and protect our state’s precious water resources.
