Film highlights CF Delta restoration

CLARK FORK — Extensive bank erosion has occurred to islands and shorelines in the Clark Fork River, located at the confluence of the Clark Fork River and Lake Pend Oreille in North Idaho.

The erosion has resulted in the losses of soil, native riparian and wetland vegetation, as well as the quantity and quality of fish and wildlife habitat.

It is estimated that between 12-15 acres are lost annually to the operation of several dams on the watershed.

The majority of the erosion of the delta soils is the result of wave action and water level fluctuations of Lake Pend Oreille due to the operation of the Albeni Falls dam, located on the Pend Oreille River near the Washington/Idaho border.

In addition, about 15–25 percent of all habitat loss in the delta is attributed to the operation of the Cabinet Gorge/Noxon Rapid hydroelectric projects located upstream on the Clark Fork River.

The altered hydrology in the Clark Fork River and delta has also resulted in changes in the wetland and aquatic vegetation cover. Reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), an invasive non-native now dominates in all delta habitat areas, such that many of the delta’s wetland functions are severely impaired.

A restoration project was proposed by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and their partners to protect areas vulnerable to erosion while improving and diversifying key riparian and wetland habitats behind the protection to restore ecological function in the delta.

A short documentary film was produced by Scott Rulander and submitted to the University of Idaho Film Festival commencing in October 2017. The film entitled, “Clark Fork River Delta; Restoring Wildlife Habitat For Future Generations” speaks to some of the work completed and the importance of the delta to the fish and wildlife resources.

Cousins is a staff mitigation biologist for the Idaho Department of Fish & Game.