- Download: Bull River Restoration Plan (2023)
- Download: Attachment A
Background

Reed canarygrass and bank erosion is a common sight along the Bull River.
Revegetation Technique #1: Individual Plantings

Example of an individual planting installed along the Bull River.

1. Prepare planting sites

2. Plant native tree or shrubs.

3. Install weed matting.

4. Install fencing.
Revegetation Technique #2: Enclosures

Weed barrier is laid along the banks of the river to suppress reed canarygrass.
The Lower Clark Fork Watershed Group (LCFWG), along with other partners (Green Mountain Conservation District, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the Kootenai National Forest and Avista), has implemented a large-scale re-vegetation effort along the banks of the Bull River, which are currently largely dominated by the non-native and highly competitive reed canarygrass. In order for plantings to be effective, the reed canarygrass must first be killed. This is accomplished by laying down a heavy fabric barrier over mats of reed canarygrass. This fabric, left in place for 1-2 years, will kill the grass and leave a space for other plants to establish.

Exclosures are built to protect young plants as they first establish.
After the the weed barrier has been installed, the areas are also fenced in order to protect the young plants to be planted from wildlife browse until they are established enough to withstand this pressure.

Revegetation exclosure full of new growth form willows and other native vegetation.
A variety of native vegetation is then planted within these enclosures, including: western red cedar, willow, alder, water birch, choke cherry, service berry, golden currant, red osier dogwood, elderberry, black hawthorn, woods rose, black cottonwood, white pine, Engelmann spruce, and western larch. They are then maintained and protected for the next 5-10 years, until they are strong enough to withstand competition from reed canarygrass and wildlife browse pressure.
Our Goal For The Bull River

A hedge of woody vegetation now grows along the Bull River on the property pictures here as a result of efforts began in 2011.
The Latest
Volunteering in the Bull River Valley
- LCFWG
- July 24, 2020
- Bull River / Stream projects
Streamside revegetation efforts in the Bull River continue
- LCFWG
- July 16, 2020
- Bull River / Stream projects
Revegetation is an ongoing effort
- LCFWG
- December 27, 2018
- Bull River / Stream projects
Spring maintenance and planting in the Bull River
- LCFWG
- June 30, 2018
- Bull River
Fly Fishing Film Tour coming to the Rex
- LCFWG
- April 19, 2018
- Bull River / Vermilion River
Roots: Bringing back the Bull River
- LCFWG
- January 25, 2018
- Bull River / Stream projects