Hoyt Creek, a small spring creek tributary to lower Dick Creek, originates from alluvial aquifers located immediately north of the town of Ovando. Hoyt Creek flows four miles in a northwest direction through agricultural ranch lands. The topography of the area consists of knob-and-kettle terrain. The base flow of Hoyt Creek is estimated at 2 to 3 cfs.

The stream loses water to two irrigation ditches and receives water from two return flow channels and one small spring. The stream flows through several culverts, some of which are set above stream base level and contribute to stream widening and sediment deposition. 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. Hoyt Creek ranked 17 of 83 streams surveyed.

Restoration activities have included removal of six undersized culverts and replaced with wooden bridges; reconstruction of two irrigation diversions in order to facilitate fish passage and restore natural stream grades; implementation of a 2,800 rest rotational grazing system with several cross fences and off-site water development; and perpetual protection of wetlands, riparian areas and native grasslands through a conservation easement on over 3,000 acres in the watershed.

Before and after photos of a 50-acre restored wetland.
Hoyt Creek with one of the new bridges that was installed. In the background is a man-made wind break and off-site water development that was part of the grazing system.	A view of the land surrounding Hoyt Creek under a Conservation Easement