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 to restore this prairie pothole.
Restoration Techniques
Restoration of Wetland Hydrology
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.
This 10.7-acre prairie pothole was reduced down to only 2-acres. 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. Wetland plant communities are returning as this prairie pothole comes back to life. The native plant communities in and around the wetland have improved dramatically through the recovery of the wetland’s hydrology.
Ecosystem Benefits
Restored Wetland Habitat
Restored Wetland Vegetation
Project Partners
acres of wetland restored
Our Projects
We work across Montana to restore and protect our state’s precious water resources.
