NorthWestern Energy
Leading the project and providing funding and resources.
Madison River-Norris Reach Island Enhancement Project
Project Overview
Project Overview
NorthWestern Energy, in partnership with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, the Bureau of Land Management and RDG (now part of SWCA), completed the Madison River-Norris Reach Island Enhancement Project along the Madison River 11 miles downstream from Madison Dam to improve trout habitat, particularly to improve the survival of young fish.
Crews expanded an island to enhance side channel habitat complexity and improve flows for the maintenance of gravels used by trout for spawning. The project also included constructing an additional side channel for added habitat complexity, as well as replanting riparian vegetation to better control erosion along the riverbank.
Anglers and Recreation Floaters Asked to Avoid the Island
Anglers and Recreation Floaters Asked to Avoid the Island
Anglers and recreational floaters in this area are asked to stay river right and avoid the island and left riverbank to allow the vegetation to become established.
Anglers are also asked to avoid fishing near the island to assist with trout recovery.
We appreciate the public's understanding and cooperation as we work to improve the river's health and fish habitat.
The Madison River-Norris Reach Island Enhancement Project offers numerous benefits, including:
- Enhanced Fish Habitat: The enhancement of islands and side channels will provide critical spawning and rearing habitats for fish, promoting healthier fish populations.
- Improved Riparian Areas: The project will restore and protect important riparian areas, contributing to the overall health of the river ecosystem.
- Erosion Control: Streambank treatments will reduce erosion rates and channel enlargement, preserving the river's natural structure and function.
- Support for Recreational Fishery: The project will aid in the enhancement of Rainbow and Brown Trout, which are at historical low levels.
This project is a collaborative effort involving several key partners:
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
FWP Mission: Steward the fish, wildfire, parks, and recreational resources for the public, now and into the future.
River Design Group
River Design Group (RDG) is a team of highly skilled professionals that combine science-based knowledge with proven restoration techniques to advance the field of ecosystem and river restoration.
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
The Bureau of Land Management Montana/Dakotas manages about 8.3 million acres of federal lands and about 47.2 million acres of federal mineral estate in the three states of Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota.