| 
 Pearson Creek, a second-order tributary to lower
Chamberlain Creek, originates in the Garnet Mountains and flows north 9 miles, joining
Chamberlain Creek and river mile 0.2. This stream is a confined and high-gradient, flowing
through a series of plunge, step and lateral pools in its mid to upper reaches. In the
lower reaches, gradient drops quickly as the stream enters a high river terrace. Upon
leaving the mountains, the lower reach of Pearson Creek skirts the northern edge of a
foothill/terrace interface. In this reach, Pearson Creek flows through beaver created
wetlands and mixed coniferous forest. The lower section of Pearson Creek was removed
from its natural channel and channelized for irrigation. As a result, the lowermost
portion of the creek dissipated into a sedge meadow before entering the Blackfoot River,
isolating resident trout while inhibiting tributary access of fluvial fish. In order to
prioritize restoration resources, we developed a fisheries-based restoration priority
scorecard, based on biological, social and financial considerations, for 83 impaired
tributaries of the Blackfoot River. Pearson Creek ranked 31 of 83 streams surveyed.
Restoration of Pearson Creek began with the restoration of Basin Spring Creek in 1994.
Upstream from Basin Spring Creek confluence, restoration efforts consisted of
constructing three segments of an E4 channel type and connecting these to existing
segments of historical channel. Woody debris was also placed in the channel and vegetation
planted to stabilize streambanks. Changes to the management of riparian grazing in the
lower 2 miles were also made, including fencing one mile of stream and planting native
shrubs and grasses.
In 1996, the landowner donated a water lease for the entire Pearson Creek flow to instream
flows. This water lease is a ten-year lease between the landowner and Montana Fish,
Wildlife and Parks. The lease allows the landowner to donate all of his water rights to
instream flows with out jeopardizing the loss of his water rights. |
Before instream restoration
and water leasing |
After restoration |
| In 1999, the private landowner who
owns the lower three miles of Pearson Creek donated a conservation easement to the Montana
Land Reliance protecting this unique habitat in perpetuity. In 2000, continued habitat
restoration projects were completed upstream of the restoration work completed between
1994 and 1996. Restoration included placing large woody debris to increase instream
complexity; riparian fencing and off-site water; and planting native shrubs in westslope
cutthroat spawning and rearing areas. In 1998, fluvial westslope cutthroat trout were recorded migrating through the
area affected by the water lease and habitat restoration work to an upstream spawning
area. A 1999 fish population survey recorded young-of-the-year densities at 44.6 fish/100
feet and age 1+ fish densities at 10.9 fish/100 feet immediately upstream of the water
lease area. In 2001, age 1+ westslope cutthroat trout densities increased to 23.7 fish/100
feet. |
Return to the Project Location Map
Blackfoot
Valley Watershed
Montana Partners for Fish and Wildlife
Regional Partners for Fish &
Wildlife Home Page
Mountain-Prairie Region
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
