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Blackfoot River Wildlife Management Area, Idaho
Blackfoot River Fish Habitat Restoration
A Phased, Collaborative Approach to Fish Habitat Restoration
The Blackfoot River Fish Habitat Restoration project provided full-service stream restoration, hydraulics and hydrology engineering, grant management and permitting, survey, and construction administration for a multi-year habitat restoration project spanning roughly six miles of the Blackfoot River within the Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s Blackfoot River Wildlife Management Area.
The Blackfoot River and Blackfoot Reservoir were once among Idaho’s best fisheries for native Yellowstone cutthroat trout. Decades of overharvest, predation, and intensive land and water use had reduced spawning and juvenile rearing habitat, limiting angling opportunities. Working within the 2,400-acre Wildlife Management Area downstream of the confluence of Lanes and Diamond Creeks, we partnered with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game to rebuild fish habitat complexity and improve angler opportunities on public land.
Client
Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Location
Blackfoot River Wildlife Management Area
Size
Six miles of the Blackfoot River
Highlights and Services
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Permitting
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Survey
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Construction staking
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Public bidding assistance
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Construction administration
Engineered riffles narrowed the stream channel and increased habitat complexity for trout at every life stage.
Thousands of trees and large woody debris were placed in the river to add roughness and rebuild fish habitat.
Biologists observed fish using the new in-stream structures soon after installation.
Engineering Complex Fish Habitat
The design team combined 2D hydraulic modeling, on-the-ground surveying, and coordinated LiDAR data acquisition to plan a river channel that could support trout through every life stage. Construction placed thousands of trees and large woody debris throughout the river to add roughness and cover, while engineered riffles narrowed the stream and increased habitat complexity. Riverbank stabilization measures were designed to protect against future erosion.
Maximizing Restoration Results
The restoration was carried out in four phases over several years, with each phase requiring its own funding. Morrison-Maierle’s* project team helped secure and coordinate a mix of funding sources, including mitigation funding from surrounding mines, grants from the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, land trust support, and materials from a nearby power line corridor project, which supplied trees for habitat structures. Sourcing wood locally from the power line project further maximized the project budget and helped offset cost constraints that would otherwise have limited the extent of the restoration possible. Close coordination with tree contractors ensured trees were harvested and delivered with root balls intact for use in-stream.
A Model for Landscape-Scale Restoration
Running from 2019 to 2023, this project reflects a broader, landscape-scale effort by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and its partners—pairing upland habitat enhancements and livestock grazing partnerships with in-river work to improve the entire drainage. Fish biologists observed trout using the new structures soon after installation. The result is a rare full-drainage transformation, made possible through sustained cooperation across public agencies, private landowners, and conservation partners.
*This project was awarded and completed by QRS Consulting before its 2026 acquisition by Morrison-Maierle.
We provide engineering services for many projects like this one. Reach out with questions.
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