Little Sawmill Creek Restoration Project – 2018

The Little Sawmill Creek Restoration Project restored stream and floodplain functions on Little Sawmill Creek and Indian Springs to open and improve juvenile salmon and steelhead rearing habitat, within the footprint of an historic calving and feedlot area near Lemhi, Idaho. Instream habitat work relocated 0.21 mile of Indian Springs to more closely align with its historic location and increase sinuosity. The old channel which was artificially straightened and degraded, was abandoned, filled, and revegetated. Approximately 0.09 mile of Little Sawmill Creek channel was improved. Twenty pools, seven log structures, as well as riffles and submerged willow clumps, were incorporated into the new channels to create optimal conditions and velocities for Chinook and steelhead and rearing habitat. Dormant willows and willow stakes were transplanted from the old Indian Springs channel alongside the new channels, and 5 acres were seeded with a riparian seed mix. A culvert in Little Sawmill Creek which blocked fish passage was removed during new channel construction. Wildlife friendly jack fence was installed at a minimum of 35 feet from water’s edge for 0.30 linear mile of stream, to promote recovery of the riparian zone and protect it from livestock.

In addition to the restoration, a calving operation was relocated away from water resources, and screened irrigation efficiencies and off channel stockwater troughs were provided to the landowner. This work was implemented by the Lemhi Soil and Water Conservation District and funded through Department of Environmental Quality 319 and BPA. These actions, in concert with the restoration by Trout Unlimited, reduced sediment loads and fecal coliform bacteria input into Little Sawmill Creek and the Lemhi River, and will improve instream temperature by keeping additional flow in Indian Springs.

Project partners included the private landowners, Upper Salmon Basin Watershed Program, Lemhi Soil and Water Conservation District, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, and Natural Resources Conservation Service. Match funding was provided by Bonneville Power Administration and non-match federal funding was provided by Natural Resources Conservation Service.

This project will improve riparian habitat and instream diversity in a Priority 1 watershed as designated in the NMFS proposed recovery plan for restoration of ESA-listed Chinook Salmon and steelhead.