Bank Stabilization on Rye Creek
It was the spring of 2013 when an interested landowner first came into the Bitter Root Water Forum offices looking for help with an eroding bank on his property on Rye Creek. Exactly two years later, the Water Forum broke ground on a project that will reduce property loss and keep excessive sediment out of this impaired stream.
The sediment issues in the Rye Creek drainage comes from a handful of sources
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highly erosive soils
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areas that were heavily logged
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huge stretches of land that were intensively burned during the fires of 2000
Eroding stream banks lower in the watershed add yet more sediment during high flow. These factors add up to entirely too much sediment falling from the hillsides, washing downstream, and ultimately winding up in the Bitterroot River. Nearly 35 volunteers gave a total of 300 hours to help cut willows, collect woody debris, make stakes, create soil lifts and plant riparian shrubs for these projects.
"Instead of relying on large rocks for stabilization, we’re using woody debris, soils, willows, cobble from the banks, and biodegradable coconut fabric. These materials will provide roughness that will slow water to reduce bank erosion, promote plant growth and provide better riparian habitat for wildlife.” – Heather Barber
 Volunteers collected 5,000 willows |  Volunteers collected 5,000 willows |  Volunteers collected 5,000 willows |
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 Volunteers collected 5,000 willows |  Volunteers collected 5,000 willows |  BRWF Team collecting woody debris |
 We collected over 30 cubic yards of woody debris for the toe of the projects |  We collected over 30 cubic yards of woody debris for the toe of the projects |  We collected over 30 cubic yards of woody debris for the toe of the projects |
 Project Site 1 Before |  Began by pulling the bank back and laying woody debris for a stable toe |  Woody debris is leveled with dirt and willow cuttings are added |
 Biodegradable coconut fabric is used to hold in the bank |  Soil and sod are packed into these soil lifts |  Add another layer of willows |
 |  Another soil lift |  Finally stake it all in at the top |
 Project Site 1 After |  Project Site 2 Before |  Began by pulling the bank back and laying woody debris for a stable toe |
 Woody debris is leveled with dirt and willow cuttings are added |  Soil and sod are packed into these soil lifts |  Biodegradable coconut fabric is staked in at the top |
 Bank is stabilized with woody debris, willows, sod, coconut fabric |  Project Site 2 After |  Disturbed earth was re-seeded with native grasses |
 Riparian shrubs were planted behind the soil lifts |  Riparian shrubs were planted behind the soil lifts |  Browse protectors will safeguard these young plants from deer and elk |
 Thank you to all the volunteers that made this project a success! |