The Kirk Group is currently managing a project in South Blaine County, Idaho, in which it is working on the restoration and revitalization of the Big Wood River, and three spring creeks located on 4,600 acres of land that has been depleted by decades of cattle grazing. The Kirk Group is providing project management for the restoration (complete reconstruction) of 6.6 miles and enhancement of an additional six miles of spring creeks, as well as restoring and enhancing approximately 200 acres of wetlands. In addition to this restoration, this project is creating about 110 acres of high quality seasonal, semi-permanent and permanent wetlands and stabilizing the banks of the Big Wood River running through the ranch property. By improving the water quality of these locations, this restoration will emphasize the ecological health of this unique area in order to benefit cold-water fisheries, wetland dependent birds, and other Idaho nature and wildlife. The Kirk Group hopes that at the end of the project, the newly restored land will be protected by a conservation easement, granted to the Nature Conservancy.
Before The Kirk Group undertook the management of the restoration project in South Blaine County, the ranches, and particularly its water features, were in a mostly degraded state due to changed hydrology, overgrazing, and a plant community dominated by invasive, non-native grasses and noxious weeds. Because of these factors, most of the natural wetlands along the spring creeks were not functioning properly. As a result, productivity of aquatic invertebrates was low, and the availability of important food and cover resources for waterfowl and other wetland dependent birds was incredibly scarce. Additionally, there were considerably low populations of various species, such as stoneflies, salmonids (i.e. rainbow and brown trout), and fresh water mussels.
Luckily, these problems could be addressed, which is exactly what this restoration project will accomplish. The project is currently working on restoring and revitalizing the natural functions of the spring creeks and associated wetlands in order to develop an improved, healthier ecosystem in South Blaine County. Despite these existing conditions, the integrated spring creek and wetland systems possessed the basic morphological framework and potential necessary for fisheries and wetland-dependent species to survive and thrive.
To restore the spring creeks back to functional locations for different species of animals to live, it was necessary to shape an entire new stream channel. This was done by rough cutting and shaping the channel down to gravel, and after, lining the newly shaped steam bed with cobble. For the pools, the engineers of the stream decided it would be best to use toe wood in the banks for bank stabilization and cover. Irrigation Companies had recently cut down cottonwood trees along the ditch banks running along irrigation canals in South Blaine County. This recycled cottonwood material was the perfect material to stabilize the banks of the spring creeks of this restoration project. Other materials used in the spring creeks were combinations of boulders and log veins, to create the various shapes in the riffles and glides. Once the banks of the spring creeks were stabilized with the recycled cottonwood material and the boulders put into place, the cobble was overlaid with spawning gravel in the riffles and glides, which provide the perfect area for fish spawning.
Because it was necessary to abandon the old spring creek channels, the old channel was plugged at various points, creating new wetlands. Between the plugs, some areas are excavated to 15 feet deep, and other areas are undisturbed. The deeper areas are intended to have exchange with the groundwater, remain cooler in temperature, and not become infested with aquatic plants. These pools are safer and cooler, therefore providing better water quality for fish to live in day in and day out.
The other areas of the wetlands that have been undisturbed between the plugs have been connected hydraulically to the new stream channel. Due to the increased stage of water in the new stream channel, the former stream bed fills up with water between the plugs. These shallower wetland areas will have warmer water, aquatic vegetation, and will provide habitat for smaller fish, amphibians, and bug life. They will also become food plots for fish in the stream.
For other, shallower wetland areas, low-lying berms have been strategically located and constructed across the bottoms of low lying areas. Water is then backed-up behind the berm to create an emergent wetland. The berms have a drop structure, or outlet, to control the water elevation behind them.
This restoration project in South Blaine County is more than just taking overgrazed, overworked land and making it “pretty”. According to George Kirk, founder of The Kirk Group and project manager of the restoration project, “We are re-creating and advancing an entire, newly restored ecosystem for which the presence of trout will be an indicator of the success of the ecosystem, as they are at the top of the food chain. And, we are also creating better habitats for migratory birds, shore birds, deer, and elk, so these too are indicators of an improved ecosystem.” This preserve will result in increased populations of Idaho wildlife in surrounding areas as well, many of which are public, Blaine County lands. Because the spring creeks and wetlands are connected to the Big Wood River, fish will migrate to and from it, and the water quality being emitted into the Big Wood will be significantly improved. The complexity of the restoration in South Blaine County is no doubt significant. When asked about why he undertook such a project, Kirk said, “The most important part of this project is that it will last for centuries. It will not only benefit the property itself, but it will also benefit the surrounding community and the public at large.”
