CASE STUDIES

Photo: Pine Creek Basin before restoration The Problem: In the Lassen National Forest, Pine Creek’s meadow systems had become degraded and dry, reducing their ability to store water and support native species such as Lahontan cutthroat trout. The Solution: The U.S. Forest Service and California Trout implemented low-tech restoration techniques, including LTPBRs and other wood structures, to re-wet the meadow and restore natural hydrology. The Results: Approximately 350 ac

The Problem: In Eagle County, sections of the Upper Colorado River experienced channel instability, sediment imbalance, and elevated water temperatures. These conditions negatively impacted aquatic habitat and overall river health. The Solution: The partnership, led by the Eagle River Watershed Council and Trout Unlimited, applied low-tech restoration methods on private ranch lands. This included the installation of post-assisted log structures (PALS) and BDAs to mimic natu

The Problem: In the Methow Valley, historic loss of beavers and stream modification led to unstable channels and disconnected floodplains. These changes reduced the landscape’s ability to retain water and support healthy riparian ecosystems. The Solution: The Methow Salmon Recovery Foundation led efforts to reintroduce beavers and install Beaver Dam Analogs (BDAs) to stabilize stream channels. These actions were designed to restore natural processes and reconnect streams wi

The Problem: Bridge Creek, located in the Crooked River National Grassland, had become incised and disconnected from its floodplain. This channel degradation reduced water storage, lowered groundwater levels, and limited habitat quality for native species, including steelhead. The Solution: The project team, led by the U.S. Forest Service and Utah State University, implemented a large-scale low-tech restoration effort using Beaver Dam Analogs (BDAs). More than 300 BDAs were