Yellowstone River Streamflow Restoration

Project Overview

The Montana Water Trust will restore flows in chronically dewatered tributaries to the Yellowstone River in the Paradise Valley and Shields River Valley. This project will monitor and manage Montana Water Trust’s current instream flow project on Mill Creek, a tributary to the Upper Yellowstone, as well as, identify, prioritize, and implement additional projects that enhance flows in dewatered reaches of the Upper Yellowstone. Low flows have been identified as limiting factors for Yellowstone cutthroat trout and other fish. By using voluntary, incentive-based contracts to transfer consumptive (irrigation) water rights to instream flow, Montana Water Trust will restore aquatic habitat and provide connectivity for native trout. Project partners include Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, the Upper Shields Watershed Association, and the Upper Yellowstone Watershed Basin Group.

Location: Yellowstone River Streamflow Restoration

Year: 2007

Project Recipient: Montana Water Trust

Federal Funding (FWS):$19,950

JHOF Funding:$5,050

Matching Funds:52,244

Total Funding:$77,244

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Your contribution directly funds stream restoration, habitat improvement, water quality monitoring, and educational programs that benefit trout populations primarily in the Snake River Basin and Yellowstone Park headwaters. Since 1986, we’ve raised over $3.4 million for conservation, leveraging additional matching funds to create more than $27.9 million in total conservation impact.

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