The Future Fisheries Improvement Program is proposing to provide partial funding to a project calling for the repair of a structurally failing bridge located on South Woodward Creek. The abutments on this bridge are failing and there is a risk of mass wasting and subsequent delivery of a substantial quantity of fine sediment into the stream. South Woodward Creek, a tributary located in the Swan River drainage, is an important spawning and rearing tributary for Swan Lake bull trout. This potential influx of sediment could smother bull trout spawning and rearing habitat. The project site is located approximately 12 miles east of the town of Polson in Lake County. The property, currently owned by The Nature Conservancy, is in the process of being conveyed to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.
(Development, Improvements, and Enhancements - 01/15/2013)

The Future Fisheries Improvement Program is proposing to provide partial funding to a project calling for the restoration of a reach of Pearson Creek and the replacement of an existing undersized road culvert with a much larger concrete box culvert. Pearson Creek has been the site of numerous previous restoration activities, including a donated water lease for in-stream flow, channel restoration, riparian re-vegetation and changes in grazing management. The intent of the project is to enhance aquatic habitat in a 1,250-foot reach and to improve fish passage to the upper seven miles of the stream. Pearson Creek is a tributary to Chamberlain Creek located in the Blackfoot River drainage about 5 miles west of the town of Ovando in Powell County.
(Development, Improvements, and Enhancements - 01/15/2013)

The Future Fisheries Improvement Program is proposing to provide partial funding to a project calling for the installation of about 2,800 feet of riparian fencing and an associated livestock water gap on a reach of McVey Creek located with a section of school trust land. Additionally, the project calls for installing a bridge at the site of an existing, overused, road ford. McVey Creek is the site of a recent successful project involving the restoration of a genetically pure westslope cutthroat trout population. The project site is located approximately 6 miles north of the town of Wisdom in Beaverhead County on property owned by state of Montana (school trust).
(Development, Improvements, and Enhancements - 01/15/2013)

The Future Fisheries Improvement Program is proposing to provide partial funding for a project calling for the construction of a siphon where the Ward irrigation canal crosses Lost Horse Creek. The intent of this project is to restore connectivity between the Bitterroot River and Lost Horse Creek for migratory fish, especially westslope cutthroat trout, a species of special concern in Montana and potentially bull trout, a species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Additionally, the project would reduce a chronic source of sedimentation and enhance in-stream flow. The Ward Canal is a ditch that diverts water from the Bitterroot River. Currently, flow from the canal merges with Lost Horse Creek, allowing canal water to freely mix with Lost Horse Creek. In order to convey water across the stream, the irrigation district must create a gravel push-up dam that essentially disconnects the stream from the river. The installation of a siphon would maintain a separation of canal and creek water and would allow migrating fish to pass unimpeded in Lost Horse Creek. The project site is located approximately 6 miles south of the town of Darby in Ravalli County.
(Development, Improvements, and Enhancements - 01/15/2013)

The Future Fisheries Improvement Program is proposing to provide funding to secure a 2-year diversion reduction agreement between the Lampert Ranch and the Clark Fork Coalition to enhance in-stream flow in lower Lost Creek, a tributary to the Clark Fork River. The agreement would involve the water user foregoing late summer irrigation by shutting down the head gate after July 5 for the next 2 years. The expectation is that this agreement would act as a pilot project that would lead to a long-term in-stream flow lease. Lower Lost Creek is commonly dewatered downstream of the Beckstead ditch during the late summer, essentially severing migratory connectivity to the Clark Fork River. This project would involve shutting down the Beckstead ditch located on Lost Creek. The ditch head gate is located on the Lampert Ranch approximately one mile south of the community of Galen in Township 5 North, Range 9 West, Section 6 in Deer Lodge County.
(Development, Improvements, and Enhancements - 01/15/2013)