Emond ranch
Emond Ranch Wetland Mitigation Site
Program
Stream and Wetland Mitigation
Watershed
Milk River
Prairie potholes are unique wetlands that offer substantial value to the ecosystem by supporting waterfowl habitat for breeding and stopover habitat during their migration. Montana Freshwater Partners worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and a private landowner to restore this prairie pothole wetland.
Restoration Techniques
Wetland Restoration
Grazing Management
Priarie pothole wetlands offer essential habitat for plants, wildlife, and key pollinator species. Fully functioning prairie potholes also provide services to nearby human residents such as absorption of rain and snowmelt during flooding, water storage during droughts, and filtration of water. Unfortunately, prairie potholes are disappearing at very high rates.
Prior to restoration, a ditch had been excavated to drain the pothole and divert water to a stockwater pond. This attracted and concentrated livestock to the pothole area, leading to further impacts. Over time, the stockwater pond became an unreliable source of water with poor water quality.
To restore the natural hydrology of this wetland, Montana Freshwater Partners worked to fill the drainage ditch to return water to this wetland. This project also provided a new stock tank, well, and water infrastructure to the landowner.
Project benefits include restoring the prairie pothole wetland while also providing the landowner with a clean, reliable source of water for their livestock that is located away from the restored wetland. Thanks to the landowner’s continued use of intensive rotational grazing practices, this prairie pothole wetland has
come back to life.
Ecosystem Benefits
Restored Wetland Habitat
Restored Native Plant Communities
Project Partners
acres of wetland restored
Our Projects
We work across Montana to restore and protect our state’s precious water resources.
