Watershed: Palouse River
Stream Name: Paradise Creek
Date Established: 04/05/2003
Project Status: Complete, maintenance and monitoring ongoing
Funding Agency: Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
Project Location: Latitude: -116.9782 N, Longitude: 46.7836 W
Waterbody Type(s): Perennial
Hydrologic Unit Code: 17060108
The restoration site is located on two tributaries to Paradise Creek in an agricultural area north of Moscow, Idaho. All woody riparian vegetation had been removed and reed canarygrass was the dominant vegetative cover. The stream was channelized, highly simplified and eroding banks were evident. There were multiple equipment crossings for agricultural machinery to cross the eastern channel.
The landowner, Judy Brockington, and the agricultural operator, Larry McMillan, collaborated with PCEI to design, implement, and maintain the restoration project. A variable-width riparian buffer was planted on both Paradise Creek tributaries. The buffer is 10 to 40 ft wide and is planted with native riparian shrubs and trees. On the eastern tributary, the buffer was seeded with native grass seed. PCEI and contractors excavated a narrow low-flow channel and resloped the streambanks. The banks were stabilized with erosion control fabric. One area was designated as the equipment crossing and was selected to minimize water quality effects. The agricultural operator, Larry McMillan, performed additional excavation on the western tributary to bring the channel down to the level of the culvert at the Brockington driveway. The Brockington site borders the Big Draw site to the north, the Morton site to the west and the Townsend site to the east and south. The restored complex of riparian area will provide increased water quality protection in the upper Paradise Creek watershed. Approximately 25,000 ft2 (0.6 acre) of cropland was removed from production related to this restoration project.
The Brockington restoration site provided an exceptional opportunity for community involvement and education. Judy Brockington, Steve and Laura Nidlow, Larry McMillan, Clint Townsend, University of Idaho (UI) students, local Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, UI Environmental Club, UI Community Service Learning Center, Washington State University students, Church of Latter Day Saints members, and Russell Elementary School students participated in excavation, streambank stabilization, planting, and maintenance. AmeriCorps*NCCC members participated in watering, maintenance and weed control. The National Tree Trust provided additional funds for trees and shrubs.
Reed canary grass lined the banks of the two Paradise Creek tributaries flowing through the Brockington property. Active wheat fields were directly adjacent to the stream. A riparian buffer was absent in this section of the creek, which exposed the creek to direct solar radiation as well as runoff containing sediments, nutrients, and pesticides. There were multiple equipment crossings through the eastern tributary.
Before Planting: A braided stream and the lack of woody vegetation characterized the site before planting.