South Fork Smith River Stream and Riparian Restoration Draft Environmental Assessment Checklist FWP-CEA-FSH-R4-25-014

The South Fork Smith River restoration project is located on the South Fork Smith River approximately 17 miles upstream of its confluence with the North Fork Smith River and the start of the mainstem Smith River.  The South Fork has been degraded through livestock grazing, agricultural encroachment, irrigation withdrawals, and infrastructure development resulting in channel straightening and channel incision.  The South Fork Smith River floodplain has been extensively converted and dewatered for agriculture yet still provides important recharge to the Smith River late in the summer.  The South Fork has elevated levels of fine sediment caused by extensive channel incision and erosion.  Elevated nutrients and E. coli have also been observed in the South Fork from livestock grazing and agriculture.

 

Restoration actions include installing off-site livestock water to reduce livestock use of the stream, installation of riparian fencing to allow recovery of native woody riparian vegetation, hardening two livestock access points, and reconnecting 2,000 feet of abandoned meander bends channelized by the now obsolete White Sulphur Springs and Yellowstone Park Railway built in 1910.

 

Related Documents

South Fork Smith River Stream and Riparian Restoration Draft Environmental Assessment Checklist FWP-CEA-FSH-R4-25-014 (pdf)

 

Public Comment Opportunity

Deadline: Written or emailed comments will be accepted until 5:00 p.m., April 11^th, 2025

Email comments to: ageik@mt.gov

Or mail to: Adam Geik

     4600 Giant Springs Road

     Great Falls, MT 59405