A Little Calmed Down Today

Well just after posting my latest blog regarding the work being done on the river, wouldn't you know it, the people who are doing the work came into the shop. Dale & Deanna Hockett of Elk River Construction specialize in river restoration projects all over the world. Some of their projects include stream restoration in Africa, Costa Rica and numerous places in the Untied States. Dale explained the current process ongoing in the Bitterroot River, which is good since neither I nor anyone else has heard what is going on from Mr. Clancy! Instead of just placing large boulders down in a riprap fashion, which has been the norm on the Bitterroot and most other western rivers, they are creating a more natural environment. In a nutshell, they are taking large logs, burying them deep into the river bottom and laying gravel and sod mats on top. The desired effect is to have the bank stabilized without compromising habitat and creating erosion further downstream(which happens when a bank is riprapped). By burying these logs, the river will have an opportunity to create an undercut bank where trout can live. Above the undercut, they have planted willows and cottonwood cuttings that will create shade and further increase trout habitat. This is obviously a gross simplification of the process that Dale explained to me but in my mind is a much better alternative to riprap stabilization. Dale stated that he was going to bring me drawings to look at and if he does I will share them.

Does this lesson my anger to Mr. Clancy? Two words, HELL NO! It would have been nice if Mr. Clancy would have held a public meeting regarding the work being done. It would have eased a lot of public outcry if all us outfitters and/or shop owners knew the time line of the project and techniques that this project was using. In talking to Dale, he could not understand why there was no public meeting regarding this project either. After talking to Dale, I understand now why they were hired over a local contracting crew. I agree with this decision, but once again it would have been nice if Mr. Clancy held a public meeting to address this subject as well. As far as homeowner being able to stabilize eroding banks I am adamantly opposed. There is still a need for stream side setbacks along the Bitterroot River. If all bank stabilization projects were like the one currently being done it would ease some pain. But how many homeowners are going to undertake their project with a company such as Elk River Construction? I bet not many and the days of riprapping will continue.