Field tour planned of Swan River restoration project

CONDON – Swan Valley Connections, along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and River Design Group of Whitefish will be holding a public field tour of the ongoing Swan River National Wildlife Refuge Wetland Restoration Project on Aug. 31, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The goal of the project is to restore the natural hydrology of wetlands that were ditched and drained in the homesteading era. The restoration area covers 600 acres of the 1,979-acre refuge near the village of Swan Lake. The restoration will benefit native plants, waterfowl, and a host of other wildlife that call the refuge home. Healthy wetlands also help with water quality improvement by filtering out fine sediment that can be harmful for native fish spawning habitat, serving as flood and carbon storage, and purifying polluted waters.

Before becoming a wildlife refuge, the lands along the inlet of Swan Lake were homesteaded as hay fields, pastures, and a muskrat fur farm. Homestead-era landowners created ditches to drain the wetlands, which negatively impacted habitat for waterfowl and other wetland-related wildlife.

Crews are working this summer to restore the natural hydrology, following a plan drafted by River Design Group. Swan Valley Connections will oversee the work, along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and River Design Group.

Come learn about the project’s design, restoration methods, timelines for completion of activities, and anticipated results.

The group will meet at 10 a.m. across from the main Refuge entrance, at the pull out on Lost Creek Road and Highway 83. RSVP with Luke Lamar: luke@svconnections.org