Lower Lemhi Bank Stabilization

Project Narrative

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game began permitting, consultation, engineering, contracting, and construction in 2009. Final construction involved the stabilization of 200 feet of the degraded river bank at the work site. Root wads were trenched into the stream bank perpendicular to the river flow, secured by rock and cable, and tied together. River banks were then backfilled with rock and local material, sloped into the floodplain, and covered with topsoil to promote growth of new vegetation.Following the construction of the banks, jack fence was installed to exclude livestock and protect new construction and plantings in the riparian corridor at the project site and along the length of the property.The project will result in improved rearing habitat for ESA listed juvenile salmon, steelhead and bulltrout. It will protect and enhance spawning habitat for steelhead in the lower river. The benefits will include improved stream temperatures, improved native vegetation, enhanced and improved pools, and reduction of sediment and nutrient input.