 Corral Creek is located in the Centennial Valley
of southwestern Montana, upstream from Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.Historically, Arctic grayling spawned in the
creek. However, shortly after settlement in 1876, a corral was built across the water
which allowed cattle continuous access to the creek. Value to grayling decreased during
that time as heavy cattle use widened the creek, made it very shallow and increased
sedimemtation.
In 1994, Partners for Fish and Wildlife
and the landowner negotiated an agreement on creek restoration. The objectives were to
remove a major sediment source, improve fish habitat in the creek and manage the riparian
corridor for cattle grazing.
The following work was completed:
- The corral was moved off the creek to an
upland site.
- The riparian corridor was fenced and is
part of a multi-pasture grazing system.
- Five stock tanks were located off the
creek and gravity fed from a popeline supplied by the creek.
- The creek's stability was restored by
narrowing and deepening 200 feet of channel and by restoring the meandering pattern.
- 2,640 feet of poor quality streambanks
were stabilized with rootwads, willow clumps and willow sprigs.
Return to the Centennial Valley Projects
Montana
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