Alder Creek

Spent a few days in Burns for my work detail.  Met some really great people who work in hydrology, fisheries, wildlife, and grazing for the BLM.  They took the three of us from the State Office out to Alder Creek to check the progress of restoration performed in Alder Creek.

 over-steepened stream banks and Beaver Dam Analog structures in the background

 Cut juniper used to slow streamflow

 stream incision in Alder Creek

 Wetland complex formed by beaver dams

They've planted willows, placed boulders, dropped juniper, and installed beaver dam analog structures in an attempt to raise the water table in an otherwise deeply-incised stream.  Good work has been done, but a lot more work is needed.