News

2025 Montana Legislature Recap

by Bill Pfeiffer

The 2025 Montana Legislature has wrapped. Our staff worked at the Capitol for every day of the 90-day session. Of the more than 5,000 bills that were on tap in early January, we were tracking a few hundred for their potential impacts on water, fish and access. The half dozen bills we prioritized for their broad fishery and water benefits progressed through the half-way point of the session, transitioning from the House to the Senate, or vice versa. Those bills were the result of at least two years of work with myriad partners to better protect and improve streamflow across Montana. We helped move a few over the finish line and lost a few by close votes.

HB74 – Private Pond Regulation – PASSED

Our first win of the session was passing HB74, a bill that revises private fish pond law. This bill is the result of two years of study prompted by the previous legislature with our strong support. The new law raises permit fees from $10 to $600 for new private fish ponds, so that Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) can do the work of reviewing, regulating and enforcing these ponds without tapping into fishing license account funds intended for habitat and conservation work, our hunting and fishing license fees. The bill also helps FWP’s efforts to prevent the spread of invasive species into Montana’s world-class trout streams through better inspections and better accounting by the sellers of eggs and fish to private pond owners. Finally, the bill improves requirements for water rights and pond design. Montana’s natural waters are too valuable to be put at risk by water use and invasive species associated with private ponds. This bill helps protect those values.

HB441 – Streamline Water Right Changes – PASSED

House Bill 441, a bill that adds efficiency and accuracy to the state’s process of clarifying and documenting all legitimate post-1973 water rights into final decrees, is now law. By moving forward the decades-long process of clarifying water rights, this bill will allow for better enforcement of legal water use and protect senior water rights. That will include protection of dedicated instream flow rights for fishery health. Additionally, Senate Bill 190 which reinstates the ability for water users to waive adverse effects in a change or permit process is on the Governor’s desk. This provision has been used numerous times with FWP-owned water rights for instream flow changes. 

HB580 – Protecting Drought Management – PASSED

Another bill we championed for direct benefits to trout is HB580, which also passed. HB580 protects water right holders from claims that they have abandoned their water right if they voluntarily let some or all of their water stay instream as part of a drought management plan in their watershed when drought triggers are met. This is great peace of mind for water users who voluntarily give up cold, clean water during times when the fish need it most.

SB358 – Closing the Exempt Well Loophole – TABLED

You have likely heard or read about the efforts to clamp down on the egregious use of exempt wells for more than a decade. We entered this session focused on passing SB358, a multi-year collaborative effort by conservation, agriculture, state agency and development stakeholders. SB358 would have more strictly regulated loopholes in the existing exempt well law that allowed developers to use increasing amounts of ‘free’ water without a water right. Making new water is impossible, so SB358 aimed to reduce water use that falls outside of and threatens established water rights by prohibiting new exempt wells in five of Montana’s over-appropriated, fastest growing and most threatened watersheds – the Gallatin, Missoula, Bitterroot, Flathead and Helena valleys. Rigorous study of hydrology shows that continuing to allow more and more exempt wells in these areas will begin to drain groundwater supplies that are directly and legally connected to surface water. This bill failed with uniquely bipartisan ‘yes’ and ‘no’ votes. The status quo, with this bill’s failure, means that the giveaway of water to developers will continue in places like the Gallatin River, where streamflow and water quality are already suffering the effects of rapid growth. While unchecked exempt well use continues for the next two years, we will redouble our efforts to build support for the scientifically-sound, durable solution that was SB358.

HB886 – Water Rights Cases to Water Court – FAILED

R.I.P. HB886, a common sense bill that would have put future water rights disputes in front of water law-trained judges in water courts, rather than the catch-all district courts where water law cases currently go to flounder behind a docket of everything from personal injury to felony hearings. We supported this bill because the move to water division courts for water rights cases would have ensured they were tried more efficiently and legitimately, resulting in better decisions on illegal water use or things like legal changes to instream flow. Dying by a 50-50 draw in the House was hard to see, but provides motivation to work harder to get it done next time.  

HB256 – Water Storage Trust Fund – TABLED but alive!

Back on the win side is an appropriation to benefit streamflow. Because maintaining healthy flows in Montana rivers is a top priority, one of the most important bills we supported this session was HB256. It would have created a $100M water storage trust using general fund dollars. Ninety-percent of the interest from that trust would be dedicated to improving state-owned water storage facilities, like Painted Rocks dam in the Bitterroot watershed, which includes stored water dedicated to late summer instream flows that are critical to the downstream wild trout fishery. The other 10% would go to the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s (DNRC) well-established Reclamation Development Grant Program, which has, and can continue to fund natural water storage, like beaver dam analogs, wetland improvements, or floodplain restoration. HB256 was tabled in committee in favor of moving the purpose and language of the bill into HB924 that creates a larger Growth and Opportunity Trust. The “GO Trust” bill contains the same stipulations for interest being available for the same reasons as HB256 articulated. Same good idea for trout, folded into a larger funding pot. This bill passed on the final day of the session.

State Budget and Appropriations – Money Matters!

One area MTU is proud to work in is the appropriations process. Without funding to back it up, policy is merely words on paper. This session we succeeded in securing additional important funding for state agencies and conservation. Here’s a brief synopsis of new money we supported that is now part of the biennial budget.

As always, things moved fast throughout the 2025 session, especially near the end. One silent win of the session for the people of Montana who care about rivers was the fact that not a single bill to diminish our stream access law had so much as a hearing. If you have questions or thoughts about any of the gains we made for trout and coldwater habitats this session, we welcome the feedback. Without your encouragement and support we could not continue to do the work of defending and promoting policy that benefits water, fish and the people who love those things. 

Climate Change

Climate Change on Coldwater Fisheries: Interview with TU’s Dr. Helen Neville

by Bill Pfeiffer

What Climate Change Means for Trout Unlimited and Our Members 

by Maggie Althaus, MTU Climate Change Coordinator

Dr. Helen Neville, Trout Unlimited’s Chief Scientist, is optimistic about the future despite the challenges posed by climate change. With nearly two decades of experience with Trout Unlimited, Dr. Neville emphasizes the importance of engagement and education in addressing the impacts of climate change on coldwater fisheries. 

Dr. Neville, thank you for taking the time to talk to me today. Could you start by sharing a bit about your background and your work with TU? 

HN: Certainly. I’ve been with Trout Unlimited for quite some time, initially joining as part of our national science team in 2006 and later assuming the role of Senior Scientist in 2018. My background is in ecology, evolution, and conservation biology, with a focus on conservation genetics.  That’s a broad field but I have always focused on trout and salmon in my work even before coming to TU. I’m based in Boise, ID with a small core of TU science staff but we have science staff across the country. 

As an outdoor enthusiast yourself, how have you seen climate change affect your experiences? 

HN: Well, I think it stems from a deep-rooted love of nature that I inherited from my dad and our family culture. Growing up in a rural area of South Carolina, surrounded by mountains, ocean, fields and forests, I spent countless hours outdoors, exploring and fishing in North Carolina streams as a kid. Nature has always been a significant part of my life. 

Initially, I was on a pre-med track in college, following the path to medical school. However, it was my doctor mother who encouraged me to consider other options that would allow me to combine my passion for science with my love of nature. This led me to focus on genetics, not in the context of human health, but rather in understanding how organisms interact with their environments and using genetic tools for conservation purposes. 

While I don’t get to spend as much time outdoors as I’d like these days, I still enjoy hiking, biking, skiing, and camping whenever I can. But I can’t ignore the pervasive presence of climate change in the environments I cherish. It’s a constant concern, especially considering how disconnected many people, particularly younger generations, are becoming from nature. 

Having two teenage daughters, I feel fortunate that they have opportunities to experience the outdoors, although it’s becoming increasingly challenging with the impacts of climate change. Planning camping trips now involves careful consideration of smoke conditions and fire risks, which have become all too common in the West. Last year, Boise had a relatively fortunate season, but many other areas were severely affected by smoke. It’s a reality we can’t ignore. 

Why is conserving trout species and their habitats important not only to anglers but also to broader communities? 

HN: Understanding the unique significance of native fish species can be challenging for the general public and even for anglers. But they have extraordinary history and broader importance on various fronts. For example, much of my past work has been on Lahontan cutthroat trout in the northern Great Basin Desert. Previously, it was thought that most of the diversity among cutthroat trout was shaped during the Pleistocene, within the last several 100,000 years or so.  In 2018, however, there was a significant effort by the American Fisheries Society to update the phylogeny and taxonomy of cutthroat trout. This endeavor revealed that cutthroat trout trace back to a 10-million-year-old ancestor found in the Great Basin through a fossil discovered near Reno, and other evidence suggested the current lineages started forming several million years ago.   

Resetting the clock back by millions of years underscores the importance of conserving these fish. They’ve evolved intricately to adapt to their landscapes. Each form embodies the unique heritage of its geographic region, carrying with it the history of its environment over millions of years. 

Conserving biodiversity is paramount for preserving these connections. Native trout fulfill distinct ecological roles that non-native fish cannot replace. They are integral to the interconnected web of ecosystems, playing vital roles in maintaining ecological balance. 

Moreover, native trout hold significant cultural importance, not just for anglers but also for Tribes and other communities with deep-rooted relationships with fish. Protecting these species safeguards cultural heritage and ecological integrity for generations to come.

Climate change is a major threat to trout habitat. How much of an impact will this have on native species? 

HN: The impact of climate change on trout populations is and will be tremendous. Climate change is causing dramatic shifts, including increased flow events, extreme precipitation, rain on snow, declining snowpack, and more frequent wildfires.  

Scientists have made a lot of predictions regarding the future niches that trout may occupy based on factors like temperature and flow changes. Now, we’re witnessing some of these predictions coming true, with habitat shrinking and streams becoming warmer and more intermittent, especially in the dry interior West.  Non-native species expansion, in part related to climate change, is also a major threat.  Excellent recent science shows that the distributions of both bull trout and cutthroat trout have declined and are predicted to decline further, but the drivers differ somewhat:  temperature and changes in flow are driving bull trout impacts, whereas for cutthroat trout the climate-related impact of non-native trout has been the primary cause of declines. 

While scientists are still working to gather data on how trout are responding, it’s clear that many populations are struggling to cope with these challenges. 

It’s crucial to recognize that trout and salmon evolved in landscapes characterized by dynamic events like floods and fires. However, human-induced changes have significantly altered these environments and the buffering mechanisms trout and salmon have to handle these impacts. Small, isolated trout populations now face reduced resilience, as they cannot utilize strategies evolved over time to adapt to change. Isolation leaves them vulnerable during environmental events, with no nearby sources for recolonization. 

Moreover, isolation affects their genetics, making them less resilient. The introduction of non-native trout species across the West exacerbates this issue because these fish compete and hybridize with native populations, further eroding their genetic integrity and ability to cope with change. 

One important point to emphasize, though, is that although we know that climate change is a major threat with serious impacts, to date it is not the primary cause of extinction.  The massive declines in biodiversity to date are driven largely by habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation – and for trout and salmon the effects of non-native species.  To me, as sad as this is it also presents a major opportunity, to work to reverse the legacy of more traditional impacts we’ve had on fish habitat through restoration and smart management. 

With 2023 being the hottest year on record, how do rising temperatures affect trout and their habitats? 

HN: Trout have what’s known as a thermal niche, meaning they thrive within a specific range of temperatures. They are “cold water fish” so rely on clean, cold water, of course, but warm temperatures aren’t always detrimental for trout; in fact, some warmth at certain life stages can be beneficial, aiding their growth. However, there’s a delicate balance. Temperatures that are too cold can hinder reproduction and growth, especially if the growing season is short or their metabolism isn’t adapted to colder conditions. On the other hand, if temperatures exceed a certain threshold, it becomes stressful for them and can become lethal. 

As cold-water fish, trout have a somewhat narrow (colder) temperature range, though that varies somewhat among species. For example, bull trout and char need cold water more than European brown trout, which are nonnative to the region (this is one reason non-native species invasion can be driven in part by climate change). When temperatures reach stressful points, trout may stop growing to focus on survival. Similarly, excessive warmth can lead to physiological stress, such as protein breakdown and heat stress responses, and their metabolism works overtime to cope with the warm water. 

Both acute and chronic temperature changes can be harmful. Acute increases above a critical threshold can be immediately lethal, while chronic exposure to suboptimal temperatures over time can weaken trout, making them smaller and less productive, and more susceptible to diseases and other stressors. Finding the right balance within their thermal range is crucial for their growth and survival – and is why maintaining large, interconnected habitats that let them access different temperatures throughout their life is so crucial. 

What gives you optimism for the future of coldwater fisheries in the face of climate change? 

HN: To be honest, it’s hard to have a lot of optimism in the face of climate change. As a scientist, knowing what lies ahead can be daunting. However, what does give me hope is the immense opportunity we have to restore the damage we’ve inflicted on the landscape – focusing on those more ‘traditional’ impacts of habitat degradation and fragmentation I mentioned before that are currently driving much of the decline. 

Earlier, I mentioned some of the research we’ve conducted to project the impact of climate change on species like cutthroat trout. By examining their environmental niche—such as temperature and flow ranges—we can forecast where they might be in the future given certain climate scenarios. These projections are often grim, but they’re also based on current data and observations, which already indicate significant challenges. Many of these species are already at risk and even listed under the Endangered Species Act due to their current precarious status. However, I see this as an opportunity. 

While we can’t control all aspects of climate change, we can work to reverse some of this legacy damage to improve how our ecosystems handle and adapt to changing conditions. This includes initiatives like tree plantings, restoring riparian habitats, reconnecting fragmented systems, improving flows and eradicating non-native species. These efforts hold tremendous potential for positive impact. 

In addition to supporting those projects, what advice would you give to someone, especially young people, facing climate change? 

HN: Well, that’s a significant question, especially considering how much of the burden of this issue falls on the shoulders of young people. My advice would be to get engaged. Educate yourself and others. 

I believe younger generations have a unique opportunity to influence older ones who may not fully grasp the urgency of climate change. Many older individuals have shared how their perspective shifted after conversations with their grandchildren or children, who emphasized the reality and seriousness of the issue. So, while the burden shouldn’t solely rest on young people, they can play a crucial role in sparking change. It’s essential to have conversations with family members, grandparents, and anyone who will listen. Climate change messaging needs to come from diverse sources to resonate effectively. Hearing about its impacts from different perspectives can be incredibly impactful. 

TU’s Climate Change Working Group focuses a lot on messaging, and I can’t stress enough how crucial it is for people to talk about climate change. Even in families where it’s not commonly discussed, having a young person bring it up and share their experiences can make a significant difference in raising awareness and driving action. 

From a TU perspective, there are numerous opportunities to get involved. Whether it’s tree planting, planning restoration or stream reconnection projects, or working on policy and advocacy, there are plenty of ways to make a difference. 

I feel incredibly fortunate to work for TU. It’s an organization comprised of outdoor enthusiasts, anglers, and nature lovers who share a deep connection with the environment, much like yourself. Do you think this aspect makes TU unique? 

HN: I believe so. We’re not just a group of fishing enthusiasts; we’re deeply committed to conservation. Our staff are amazingly passionate and mission-driven, and there’s a deep culture within TU grassroots that encourages involvement and engagement – as is obvious from your position! Whether it’s through education, restoration projects, or advocacy efforts, there are numerous ways for members to make a meaningful impact. 

I have immense respect for TU members because they invest their passion, time, and expertise into meaningful engagement. It’s fascinating to see how this culture of involvement has influenced our messaging, particularly regarding climate change. For instance, the Executive Director of Michigan Trout Unlimited, who is also a scientist, published a review several years ago of TU’s approach to climate change messaging. It highlighted how our culture of engagement and the expectation of member involvement have helped ground our messaging in tangible actions and impacts, especially through our on-the-ground projects.  I just love that paper and use that emphasis all the time in my outreach. 

Thank you for sharing your insights, Dr. Neville. Is there anything else you’d like to add? 

HN: Mainly, thank you. Taking on this role as the Climate Change Coordinator for MTU and your efforts to share this crucial information to the public is tremendous. This is how we drive change—through awareness and action. The more we engage in conversations and share this knowledge, the greater impact we can have. 

We are currently presented with a historic opportunity, particularly with the substantial infrastructure funding being directed towards on-the-ground initiatives in the West aimed at enhancing habitat resilience. There’s an abundance of work to be done, and ample resources available to support these efforts. 

I encourage everyone to reflect on their passions and skills and consider how they can contribute meaningfully on-the-ground. With organizations like TU and others, there are countless avenues for involvement. So, thank you for all the work you’re doing for Montana TU and for prioritizing this focus. 

Jobs

We’re Hiring! Seeking a Custer-Gallatin Forest Project Manager

by Bill Pfeiffer

ABOUT MONTANA TROUT UNLIMITED

Montana Trout Unlimited (MTU) represents more than 4,200 members and supporters organized into 13 chapters in Montana.  We are a small, dedicated, creative staff tasked with overseeing our mission to conserve, protect, and restore Montana’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds.  MTU fulfills this mission through staff and volunteer-led outreach and education, fundraising, policy development, and science-driven stream restoration.

For more than two decades, MTU has regularly partnered with our national Trout Unlimited project managers and other stakeholders on streamflow and habitat restoration work across the state.  Our work focuses on restoring instream flow, fish passage, and improving habitat for the benefit of native and wild trout populations in the Clark Fork, Missouri, Gallatin, Madison, Jefferson, Yellowstone, and many major tributary rivers and streams.  In all of these geographies, we work collaboratively with federal and state agencies, as well as other nonprofit partners and businesses on federal, state, and private land-based projects. MTU is now interested in dedicating a project manager to evaluate and execute priority projects of this nature in the Yellowstone watershed, with a strong emphasis on Custer-Gallatin National Forest lands in the vicinity of Red Lodge, MT. This position will focus on inventorying, prioritizing, developing and implementing projects in the tributaries and mainstem of Rock Creek, East and West Rosebud, and the Stillwater River, as well as other prioritized streams.  Thus, MTU is seeking qualified applicants to fill the newly created Custer-Gallatin Forest Project Manager position.

POSITION SUMMARY

TU Project Managers hold unique and diverse positions depending on the needs and opportunities in different watersheds.  In short, people in these positions “make things happen on the ground.”  In that spirit, we are hiring a self-motivated and highly capable person to identify, plan, and implement water conservation, fish passage, and stream and riparian restoration projects to benefit aquatic resources and fish populations primarily on streams in and adjacent to the Custer-Gallatin National Forest.  The Project Manager will work closely with the USFS Custer-Gallatin staff to seek opportunities to reconnect coldwater sources to mainstem rivers and restore or create more resilient coldwater habitats on public lands.  The Project Manager will be responsible for all aspects of this work from engaging relevant partners to inventory this geography for needed and potential projects, through project planning, permitting, contracting, implementation, monitoring and outreach. In addition to working with forest service staff, this position will also engage other TU staff, TU chapter volunteers and chapters, and partner organizations working in these watersheds.  Experience with stream restoration, contractor oversight, and hydrology are key qualifications.  Excellent interpersonal skills and communications –verbal and written – are a must, as is a high level of motivation to pursue the MTU mission.

A significant focus will be placed upon partnership-building with the Custer-Gallatin Forest and MT Fish, Wildlife and Parks, as well as the nearby Magic City Flyfishers chapter of TU (Billings) and the Joe Brooks chapter of TU (Livingston). Engaging local land trusts, conservation districts, state and federal agencies, landowners, watershed groups, and other non-profit organizations will also be key to success in this role.  In addition, the successful applicant will be expected to seek out, apply for, and obtain funding to support project work and core operational costs.  The Project Manager will work closely with other TU Project Managers in the state to obtain experience and coordinate efforts.  Ideally the successful candidate will live and work from Red Lodge, MT, or the surrounding area.  This position will require frequent local travel for field work.

When you join MTU, you will become part of a highly supportive community of coworkers who believe in collaboration, respect and sharing inspiration, as well as being committed to our core values: Science, Native and wild trout, Connectivity and Diversity. MTU is committed to working toward justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion both within our organization and in our work with people outside the organization.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Engage USFS, other state and federal agencies, TU chapters and other stakeholders to prioritize projects, develop partnerships, and initiate restoration or instream flow planning activities, primarily on CGNF.
  • Create a bibliography of past data collection, assessments and restoration work in the watershed to help inform and prioritize future restoration.
  • Develop and implement streamflow, habitat, and fish passage restoration projects and monitoring plans.
  • Coordinate with state and federal agencies and other TU staff to collect field data for project development and post-project monitoring
  • Work both independently and in partnership with other TU staff on fundraising, including identifying potential funding sources, drafting grant proposals, and developing relationships with funders to sustain the program budget.
  • Supervise interns and/or seasonal field technicians.
  • Perform basic administration duties including project reporting, invoicing, and tracking project budgets.
  • Present project work and progress to chapter membership/meetings and/or at statewide TU meetings.
  • Attend and report work at quarterly MTU meetings, as well as attend numerous annual chapter functions/gatherings.

This is not an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree in a water resource related field (e.g. hydrology, fisheries, engineering, etc.) required; graduate degree preferred.
  • Prefer two years of professional experience in natural resource project management, emphasis on stream restoration.
  • Experience with water conservation, fish passage improvements, and stream restoration preferred.
  • Construction experience, including working with and supervising contractors preferred
  • Demonstrated performance in grant writing and other fundraising activities.
  • Superior interpersonal skills and ability to work constructively with diverse partners, community stakeholders and private landowners.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills required.
  • Experience with media relations and public outreach is helpful.
  • Good organizational and problem-solving abilities.
  • Ability to work independently while managing complex projects.
  • Willingness to travel within the region as necessary.
  • Ability to provide own transportation required, mileage reimbursed.
  • Passion for protecting and restoring trout streams and their watersheds!
  • Knowledge of the Yellowstone watershed and/or Custer-Gallatin National Forest is a big plus!
  • Ability to lift 40lbs., work in inclement weather conditions, hike long distances over difficult terrain and work in/around moving water are necessary.

COMPENSATION

Estimated salary for this position is $60-65,000 annually, depending on experience. MTU also provides an exceptional comprehensive benefits package including: health care, flexible spending account, employer match retirement 401(b), holidays and accrued paid time off, sick time, sabbatical, and other life/work balance benefits.

HOW TO APPLY

Please upload a one- to two-page letter of interest, resume, three professional references, and less-than-one-page answers to the supplemental questions (below) to TU’s Paylocity Site by Dec. 15, 2024.  Interviews will be in early 2024. Winter, 2024, start date is flexible.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS:

To assist MTU in evaluating your application, please answer the following questions.  Please make your answers concise yet specific and keep them to under one page, single-spaced.

  1. Please summarize your experience working with federal or state agency staff, especially on watershed-scale project planning.
  1. Describe any special training you have received or work experiences that you have had related to hydrology, fish passage, stream restoration and construction, stream-flow measurements, instream flow improvements, or investigating water rights.  Describe any training, experience, or special qualities you have that are important for us to consider when evaluating you as a candidate for this position.

MTU is an Equal Employment Opportunity & Affirmative Action Employer pursuant to Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act & Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistant Act.

MTU hires staff without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status or disability.

News

Summer 2023 Trout Line Newsletter

by Bill Pfeiffer

Our Summer 2023 Trout Line Newsletter is out now. Read it online here or download a PDF version for your favorite reading applications.

CENTENNIAL GRAYLING UPDATE: Unfortunately, after this issue went to print, federal District Judge Donald Molloy granted an injunction to stop the project until the case is fully heard, which likely means no project to benefit these grayling in 2023. This delay and its proponents stand to have far greater negative impacts to this Wilderness ecosystem by risking the disappearance of one of the most unique and iconic species than the short and modest construction efforts implementing the project in a Wilderness area would entail. This is a blow to the grayling, the spirit of collaborative conservation and Wilderness character. We remain optimistic that the Refuge decision and project will prevail on full hearing, assuming grayling survive another winter without our help. Stay tuned for more developments.

News

Flood Recovery Done Right: Lessons Learned from the ’97 Flood

by Bill Pfeiffer

By David Brooks, Executive Director, Montana Trout Unlimited 

As historic flooding in the Yellowstone watershed recedes and people impacted turn to the daunting and complicated task of rebuilding, it is valuable for us to reflect on the last time the Yellowstone flooded. The aftermath of the highwater event that took place in the spring of 1997 offers lessons for moving forward now. 

Whether it’s car bodies or rock, confining rivers usually leads to downstream consequences. PC: Bill Pfeiffer

That year, a deep snowpack followed by a warm spring with heavy rains sent the river out of its banks for much of its length from Yellowstone National Park through Billings and beyond. Scenes of property and infrastructure damage were much like those we’ve seen this June. Then, as now, people think of floods as great acts of nature. To some degree that’s true. But the 1997 floods brought home the reality that how we manage and manipulate our rivers also determines how floodwaters behave. 

Between 1995 and 1998, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) issued more than 170 permits for projects along the banks of the Yellowstone River, mostly for riprap, dikes and other bank hardening that reduced natural river habitat. Many of those permits were issued in a rush following the 1997 floods. There was so little analysis of how individual projects would cumulatively impact river health and future flooding that Montana Trout Unlimited joined four other conservation organizations in taking the Army Corps to federal district court. Because of the lawsuit, projects were put on hold. By summer of 2000, our coalition prevailed. The court unequivocally deemed that the Corps had violated the Clean Water Act and the National Environmental Policy Act by allowing the modification of the river’s banks without analyzing how such projects would have a collective negative impact on the river’s health and cause worse future flooding. Blanketing the banks of the Yellowstone or any river with boulders, concrete or hardened canal-like walls was increasingly harming fish and greatly increasing the flood risks to downstream neighbors. As MTU’s Executive Director Bruce Farling put it, the court decision was “the insurance policy Montana needed to prevent the slow death of the Yellowstone, one rip rap project at a time.” 

A functioning flood plain on Rock Creek. PC: Bill Pfeiffer

Since that ruling, the Corps has been more cognizant of the negative impacts of projects that reduce natural habitat in ways that accelerate and compound flooding. In contrast, maintaining or restoring riparian habitat absorbs floodwaters, slowing and reducing the rush of spring runoff, keeping that water within the river or, when it spreads into the natural floodplain, dampening the force of floods on human infrastructure like homes, roads, and bridges. In short, what’s good for fish and wildlife turns out to be good for protecting riverside property and adjacent infrastructure. Following the previous flood and lawsuit, a citizen and expert task force studied the upper Yellowstone, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars invested in research that documented the damage caused by years of artificial bank stabilization. It also recommended better ways to rebuild and create resiliency in the Yellowstone and other rivers. 

The investment in efforts to restore natural river habitat rather than the short-term solutions of riprap or riverside lawns, to build bridges or culverts that better accommodate fish, wildlife, and floods, and to give rivers some space to rise up and move around, as they inevitably do, will pay off during future historic events, with more protections for fish and wildlife, and less risk to property and life. Rebuilding healthier rivers from top to bottom will help keep fish from being washed into fields and stranded. Maintaining a meandering river instead of straightening it can help keep flooding out of places like Red Lodge. Building better engineered bridges can keep rural residents connected to communities and reduce the need for emergency closures of rivers like the Yellowstone. Restoring fully functioning floodplains and resilient river habitat does not prevent floods, especially as we adapt to the alterations that climate change is having on the amount and timing of snowpack and spring rains. But if river restoration following the devastation of 2022 saves native and wild trout, saves on future flood cleanup costs, or saves one home, it sure seems worth considering.