Restoring a River’s Rhythm: North Fork Smith River
Just upstream of White Sulphur Springs, Montana, the North Fork Smith River winds through classic ranch country — cottonwoods lining its bends, trout holding in its pools, and hayfields stretching to the horizon. For decades, this stretch of the North Fork has quietly sustained both people and fish. But over time, the balance between them has frayed.
Years of livestock grazing, irrigation withdrawals, and infrastructure development have left the river showing its age. Streambanks are eroding. Flows run thin and warm by late summer. Nutrients and sediment cloud the water. The result: a river that’s lost some of its natural rhythm — and a fishery that’s been struggling to keep tempo. That’s about to change.
Rebuilding the North Fork Smith River, One Reach at a Time
In Fall 2025, a two-mile stretch of the North Fork Smith River on a private working ranch will undergo a major restoration designed to heal the river’s natural function and improve habitat for trout.
North Fork Smith River Stream and Riparian Restoration Project represents exactly the kind of partnership work Trout Unlimited champions: collaboration between landowners, state agencies, and conservation groups to restore rivers while keeping ranches viable.
Funded in part by the Smith River Corridor Enhancement Account — which dedicates a portion of Smith River floater fees to restoration projects — this effort brings together Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Geum Environmental Consulting, Missouri River Flyfishers Chapter and Pat Barnes Chapters of Trout Unlimited.
Rather than working against the landscape, the project is designed to work with it. Here’s how that balance comes to life:
Keeping Cows and Fish Out of Conflict - New and upgraded stock water systems — including two new wells and several large-capacity concrete tanks — will provide clean water for livestock away from the stream. By reducing direct cattle access, these systems cut down on bank erosion and E. coli inputs while making ranch operations more efficient.
Filtering the Flow - Gentle runoff control berms built near existing corrals will intercept nutrient-rich runoff before it reaches the river. Seeded with native grasses, these berms become green filters that protect water quality year-round.
Smarter Stream Access - In six strategic spots, hardened livestock crossings will be installed using rock and geotextile fabric. These durable access points keep cattle hooves from churning up mud and sediment, protecting both the riverbanks and the rancher’s bottom line.
Rebuilding Banks with Willows - Roughly 1,500 feet of eroding streambank will be rebuilt using willow bank treatments — a natural technique where living willow cuttings and native soils are layered over rock toes. The willows quickly root, stabilizing banks, shading the stream, and creating the kind of complex structure trout love.
Restoring the River’s Shape - Where the river has become too wide and shallow, inset floodplains will be constructed to return it to its natural dimensions. These low benches reconnect the river to its floodplain, slow down runoff, and encourage native vegetation like sedges, rushes, and dogwoods to take hold.
Planting for Tomorrow - Within these new floodplains, willow trenches — long rows of live willow cuttings — will establish dense riparian cover. Over time, they’ll provide critical nesting habitat for birds, stabilize soil, and cool the river for future generations of trout.
Flexible Fencing Solutions - Finally, portable windbreak fences will help guide livestock away from sensitive riparian zones. These movable panels let ranchers manage herds without compromising habitat.
A Model for Working Lands and Wild Trout - This project is more than a list of treatments; it’s a model for what Missouri River Flyfishers stands for. Healthy rivers don’t have to come at the expense of healthy ranches. When landowners, conservationists, and anglers work together, the result is cleaner water, stronger fisheries, and a more resilient landscape for everyone.
As willows grow and banks stabilize, this two-mile stretch of the North Fork will once again hold deep pools, cool flows, and healthy trout. The improvements will ripple downstream, benefitting the entire Smith River corridor — a place that holds a special place in the hearts of anglers across Montana and beyond.
North Fork Smith River Restoration Treatment Overview - White Sulphur Springs, Montana.
Looking Ahead
Construction is planned to break ground Fall 2025, with oversight provided by a qualified consultant. Funding from Smith River floater fees, along with support from TU chapters and partners, will make the work possible.
In a few short years, anglers may once again find rising trout along shaded banks that just a season ago were bare and eroding — a living testament to what collaboration can accomplish.
When we take care of the water, the water takes care of the fish for generations to come.
Still want more information around this project? Click Here to download the North Fork Smith River Stream and Riparian Restoration Environmental Assessment Checklist.