FLat Creek
Lockhart ranch, Jackson, WY
Flat Creek flows from the Gros Ventre Mountains to the National Elk Refuge, through the town of Jackson, the Lockhart Ranch, and into the Snake River. It is extremely important spawning and rearing habitat for the Snake River finespotted cutthroat trout, an endemic species with and native range limited only to the Jackson area. A history of well intentioned modifications to the shape and direction of Flat Creek increased the flow rate and allowed the stream to carry sediment downstream, causing channel scour, threatening infrastructure, and creating unnatural icing conditions. Clearwater Restoration won the bid for restoration of 6,200 feet of stream restoration, 3 acres of wetland restoration, and 20 acres of riparian vegetation restoration. The work was done over three phases and took place in winter to minimize disturbance to the Lockhart Cattle and haying operations.
Project Highlights
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An entirely new channel constructed via GPS to precise, engineered specifications.
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Toewood banks to stabilize bank and add habitat
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Extensive use of soil lifts and willow stakes to revegetate banks
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Project completed 2023
Before
