Watershed-Level Restoration for Landowners and Native Fish in the Bear River

In the last decade, landowners and conservation partners have increased research and restoration efforts along the Upper Bear River to rebuild irrigation diversions for water-rights holders and improve fish passage conditions and habitat. Push-up dams have resulted in sediment accumulation, lack of riparian plant cover, and loss of fish due to channelization. To enable fish passage, the project team replaced the push-up dams with rock cross-vane structures at several sites. They also worked with landowners to improve water diversion structures, reconnect floodplain water flows, and replant cottonwood and willow riparian areas.