Conservation Successes

Trout habitat improved in Montana

photo courtesy: Gary Weiner

Better living for people, dogs, and fish

Livingston, Montana (December 2003) - The Town of Livingston just finished restoration of a key section of the main stream running through town. Fleshman Creek, once a side channel of the Yellowstone River, was in sad shape. Gravel mined, ponded, trashed, and ignored, the stream corridor had accumulated years of muck and urban pollutants from stormwater runoff and wind-blown garbage. The Town, partnering with Trout Unlimited and the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) Program of the National Park Service, rebuilt 1700 feet of the Creek adjacent to Mayors Landing, a popular town dog-off-leash park. Stream geometry was adjusted to provide trout spawning and rearing habitat and floodplain areas were created for native plant colonization and to provide stream access for local residents. RTCA staff provided expertise in restoration project design, contract administration, and grant acquisition. An NPS "challenge cost-share" grant, Trout Unlimited, and the 1-Fly Foundation provided key funding, and others including the Future Fisheries Program and Tom's of Maine/National Park Foundation also provided funds to help complete the project. Weiner at gary_weiner@nps.gov or (406) 587-1667.