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Belmont Creek
In 2002 we completed our first restoration project on Belmont Creek, a tributary of Montana's famous Blackfoot River, with a uniquely skilled fish biologist from the Montana Bureau of Land Management (BLM) office in Missoula. This project utilized draft horses, rather than destructive large machinery, to place large pieces of trees in this damaged stream important for native wild trout. The large tree pieces were used to create deris jams, which provided habitat while directing high flows into the creation of pools and spawning sites.

One year after our project was completed, the restored section had over 70 trout spawning beds—up from zero for many successive years before. In five years time, the Belmont project's vegetation went from all noxious weeds to all sedges, rushes and other wetland plants.

Belmont Creek Log Placement

Draft Horses at Belmont Creek

Belmont Creek
Log Placement

Belmont Creek
Draft Horses were used to move
logs in this restoration project.

Mellisa Magio at Belmont Creek
The BLM's Melissa Magio amidst the sedges and
rushes dominating the Belmont Creek project area in 2006.