Last updated: March 2, 2022
Article
Restoring a Creek in Downtown Bozeman
MONTANA
What began as an urgent need to rehabilitate the decaying Bogert Park in Bozeman, Montana, soon evolved to include the restoration of Bozeman Creek. When the City of Bozeman requested assistance from the National Park Service - Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program (NPS-RTCA), it quickly became apparent that the scope of the problem extended beyond the park’s borders. Long ago, the creek had been narrowed and straightened to handle storm water runoff. As a result, the runoff flushed the creek of its fisheries habitat, reduced the riparian vegetation and led to invasive species taking root.
With help from NPS-RTCA, the city and the Bozeman Creek Enhancement Committee engaged neighborhood associations and individual landowners in the process of restoring the park, along with six miles of impaired creek. Over six years, this collaboration resulted in the reconstruction of the creek’s channel to slow its flow and filter stormwater runoff. The community stabilized the banks with native plants to create a meandering stream and strengthen the riparian zone. The restoration work also enhanced conditions for aquatic species by including deep pools to help fish survive winters, boulders for safe resting sites, and gravel to support spawning conditions.
Today, Bogert Park and the natural flowing Bozeman Creek provide residents with opportunities to fish and enjoy the natural setting within the heart of the city.