Big Hole
The Idea –
In the upper Big Hole watershed in southwest Montana, an ambitious conservation and restoration initiative is currently underway. This project, known as the Arctic grayling Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances, or CCAA, brings together local, state, and federal agencies, private landowners, NGOs and others, to develop and implement restoration projects targeting the last remaining population of fluvial Arctic grayling in the lower 48 states.
The primary objective of the CCAA is the restoration of riparian habitat for the fish and other organisms. The upper Big Hole is a broad, high-elevation valley with riparian communities dominated by willow communities. The dense willow zones along the stream banks have historically provided overhanging vegetation, stream bank stability, undercut stream banks, and limits to erosion during high water events. Unfortunately, the Big Hole riparian communities have suffered tremendous decline in the last 150 years (see photos below), negatively affecting the larger faunal community and leading to the plight of the arctic grayling. CCAA projects aim to restore riparian habitats throughout the river valley.
These aerial photos are taken of the same reach of the mainstem Big Hole River, ˜ 5 miles upstream of Wisdom, 53 years apart. Note the nearly complete removal of riparian vegetation.
(Confluence Consulting, 2003)
The Avian Science Center will provide bird survey data to inform landowners and agencies about the success of restoration efforts.
Results –
From 2006-2008 we collected pre-restoration bird and vegetation data from a total of 106 points including: 23 reference points, 14 control points, and 86 restoration points. We recorded 44% of all bird species known to breed in Montana (107/245) within the Big Hole River valley, which speaks to the outstanding diversity of birds that are associated with or that depend on riparian areas.
As of December 2008, fence construction has been completed at seven of eight restoration sites, and we hope to continue to monitor the changes in bird communities and habitat conditions as part of the post-restoration phase in the Big Hole Valley.
We are finding that this restoration project will be especially beneficial to songbirds that depend on willow habitat for breeding – species such as the Willow Flycatcher, Northern Waterthrush, Veery, Fox Sparrow, and White-crowned Sparrow. These five species are either absent or present in very low numbers on sites slated for restoration when compared to our reference sites. For example, the Willow Flycatcher has been found on less than 5% of points in areas to be restored, whereas they are present on close to 80% of reference points (see figure below).
Annual Reports for this Project –
- Download the 2008 FINAL REPORT
- Download the 2007 FINAL REPORT
Funders –
Big Hole Watershed Committee, US Fish and Wildlife Service,
Contact –
For more information, contact Kristina Smucker