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CONFEDERATED SALISH AND KOOTENAI TRIBE'S NON-POINT SOURCE
PREVENTION PROGRAM HELPING TO RESTORE THE LITTLE BITTERROOT
RIVER. 
The Little Bitterroot River is clearly the most impaired of
all the major tributaries to the lower Flathead River. A
century of hydro-modification and grazing have left a heavy
mark on this semi-arid valley floor stream. The 2002 CSKT
Water Quality Assessment Report lists the lower Little
Bitterroot as not supporting aquatic life, drinking water,
or recreation uses. One of the Non Point Source Program’s
goals is restoration of the Little Bitterroot River in order
to make it a viable habitat for wildlife, such as native
Bull Trout. We are currently focusing on a ¾ mile segment of
the river along the McDonald ranch, which is located near
Niarada. As part of a grant funded by the EPA, the NPS
program was able to place fencing along this segment. The
fencing is keeping cattle from grazing and defecating
directly in and around the Little Bitterroot River corridor
in this area. The effects of fencing along the Little
Bitterroot corridor can clearly bee seen in the photo.
The Little Bitterroot directly above the ranch has more of a
natural configuration (meanders and pools), and is more heavily
vegetated than the river reach immediately below the ranch. This
allows for a more suitable fish and wildlife habitat. Work to
restore the lower segment of the Little Bitterroot to a more
natural configuration will be performed this year. This
restoration work will include the construction of 2 to 3
meanders and creation of adjacent pools protected with
vegetation to allow more suitable habitat for fish.
Little Bitterroot River above the
McDonald Ranch.
Little Bitterroot River below the McDonald
Ranch.
Restoration work on this project is expected to be completed
this year. It is hoped that this project will help generate
other potential river restoration projects on the reservation.
For more information on the NPS program please contact the NPS
Program Manager, Lloyd Stevens, Jr. at 883-2888 ext. 7214.
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