Mill Creek Riparian Corridor Development Project (RDP)

As proposed, efforts went toward the development and establishment of a functional riparian corridor along the banks of this 2.4 mile long stream restoration project of Mill Creek. Several thousand trees and shrubs of various species were planted throughout the project area (supplied by the tribes Greenhouse Nursery) and a watering system was set up to sustain the newly planted trees until they become self-sustaining.

Expected outcome: planting of several thousand (~ 11,000) trees and shrubs (Cottonwoods, Willows, Alders, Maples, Buckeyes, Oaks, etc …) from bankfull to the banks of the flood-prone area which are often several hundred feet from each other in some places. A creative watering system has been devised capable of watering several hundreds of trees at a time within the targeted riparian area. Last year a prototype of this project was tested and it worked great. Funding of this project will see the large scale use of this process to plant and water the tens of thousands of trees necessary to physically and ecologically stabilize the project area. Additional trees and continued watering will be necessary for the next couple years with reduced effort being needed annually as the vegetation begins to become self-sufficient and survival decrease the need to get them through the first few critical summers.