Upper Deer Creek

Status

Complete

Location

Custer-Gallatin National Forest, South of the Upper Deer Creek Trailhead (Green Bridge)

Cost

$450,000

Project Background: The Gallatin River is being pressured from all directions, from climate change, to urban development, and the recreational access the river is famous for. The Task Force, in partnership with the Custer-Gallatin National Forest, have developed a holistic approach to recreation management and a framework for prioritizing the ecological restoration of highly damaged areas. We have an ambitious plan to restore the entire 39 miles of the Upper Gallatin River corridor with the goal of repairing existing natural resource degradation and preventing further damage from occurring to safeguard the Gallatin River, while ensuring that outdoor recreation can continue to be a staple of Southwest Montana’s vibrant economy and way of life. Check out the Moose Creek project to learn more about our work to chart the course for sustainable recreation access and restore the ecological health of the Gallatin River.

Project Description: Upper Deer Creek is the second large-scale project to restore the ecological health of the river and improve ease and safety of river access along the Upper Gallatin Corridor. The project engaged a broad spectrum of stakeholders and utilized volunteers to complete restoration activities including noxious weed management, planting, and fence building.

Before and After

Site conditions before the restoration project included unmanaged vehicle access causing damage to riparian vegetation and increasing the amount of sediment and other pollutants entering the river.

Two designated parking areas were developed which include erosion control features, a vegetated buffer between the river and the parking lot, and boulders to prevent driving along the river’s edge.

Project Results: Upper Deer Creek highlights the variety of users enjoying the Gallatin. To better accommodate anglers and whitewater rafters, infrastructural additions were introduced including a designated sustainable river access point for rafts, an accessible fishing platform, and a kayak slab launch. To continue educating the river-loving community, we installed four educational signs along 1,750 feet of new accessible trail. Given the site’s popularity, we built 2 improved parking areas that can accomodate trailers and other oversized vehicles. Volunteers helped plant 380 riparian trees and shrubs and reseeded barren areas.

Fast Facts: