SPA 124 PERMIT DECISION NOTICE South Fork Smith River Stream and Riparian Restoration

Apr 28, 2025 9:40 AM

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.

The South Fork Smith River restoration project is located on an approximately 5.5-mile reach of the South Fork on a private working ranch. Restoration work will occur at two locations in the reach. At the Upstream Reach, 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, and hardening two livestock access points. Downstream Reach restoration actions include reconnecting 2,000 feet of abandoned meander bends channelized by the now obsolete White Sulphur Springs and Yellowstone Park Railway built in 1910, removal of the historic railroad grade through the floodplain in meander bend reactivation areas, and construction of two hardened livestock access points. The South Fork Smith River will be routed into these historic meanders and flow through existing dense wetland vegetation to help filter sediment and nutrients in the river.

The Smith River Corridor Enhancement Account fund, which is funded by floater fees, would be utilized to fund the project.