Wetland Restoration

Sweetwater Creek Wetland: Upper Ruby Valley, Montana

A change in irrigation practices led to the elimination of water supplies to a shallow and productive oxbow wetland along the Ruby River. Kingfisher Consulting restored these flows by converting a portion of the irrigation water right to be used for the benefit of fish and wildlife. The wetland was additionally enlarged and recontoured to provide a more even distribution of habitat for waterfowl pairing, nesting, and brood rearing. The wetland is currently producing a significantly higher number of resident waterfowl, and attracting a larger number of migratory ducks and geese. The area adjacent to the wetland is being managed for nesting habitat, and is bordered by food plots.