Past channel straightening of a previously sinuous stream resulted in major channel degradation and downcutting. A rapidly progressing headcut was slowed by a culvert, which is now being undermined. Due to the headcut at the culvert, fish passage is greatly compromised. Watershed Consulting analyzed the causes of the downcutting, and designed a transitional, fish-passage-friendly channel with a floodplain culvert.
Personnel involved: Igor Suchomel - project management, hydrology, channel design Steve Buckley - fluvial geomorphology Mike Koopal - fish passage
Contact: Scott Snelson, MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks, (406)293-4161