Deep Creek stream and wetland mitigation

Kings Creek and Fowler Coulee are small streams that were historically occupied by beaver, whose dams helped to support extensive wetlands and riparian areas. These streams have been degraded by historic agricultural practices and beaver removal, which has caused them to become incised and disconnected from their floodplains. Montana Freshwater Partners will install low tech structures called beaver dam analogs to reconnect the streams to their floodplains and restore healthy wetlands and riparian areas. The restored streams will help store water on the landscape, helping the ranch become more resilient to drought.

As a wetland and stream mitigation site, this project will generate wetland and stream credits that will offset impacts permitted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under the Clean Water Act within the Marias Watershed.