Stream Enhancement

Joseph Urbani & Associates, Inc. has extensive experience with enhancement and restoration of stream fisheries degraded by past land management practices or human development. Through stream enhancement, we create fluvial components such as riffles and pools using natural materials. These components are constructed in a manner that allows them to appear and function as natural features and remain stable during varying hydraulic regimes. The design and construction of spawning habitat is an important consideration for most projects and allows many streams, lakes and ponds to become self-perpetuating fisheries where previously spawning was compromised or non-existent. In most projects, both the riparian zone and stream channel are simultaneously enhanced to assure that the entire stream ecosystem is healthy and stable.

Our personnel have been involved in extensive fish habitat enhancement projects on Montana rivers such as Alder Gulch Creek, the Ruby River, Big Sheep Creek, the Gallatin River, Birch Creek, Mill Creek, the Boulder River, Bridger Creek, Spanish Creek, the Big Hole River and Sixteen Mile Creek. Other projects have been performed on the Pecos River in New Mexico, the Middle Fork of Crazy Woman Creek in Wyoming, Bear Creek in New Jersey, the Saugatuck River in Connecticut, and the Beaverkill River in New York.

Typical Enhancement Site

Stream Cross Sections

Crazy Woman Creek, Buffalo, Wyoming

Before		After

Gallatin River, Bozeman, Montana

Before		After

Ruby River, Sheridan, Montana

Before		During
After