Stream Restoration Hotspots

Stream restoration "hot spots" were identified largely based on the following criteria: (1) they have streams where the main river channel could benefit from active restoration to achieve functions like floodplain: channel connectivity, vigorous native riparian vegetation, lateral channel stability, and channel complexity; (2) they contain streams where restoration work may be in full swing, is proposed, or was recently completed. They were identified largely based on Strategic Habitat Plan enhancement priority areas and State Wildlife Action Plan conservation areas, as well as water quality restoration and protection information provided by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. They were also identified with Wyoming communities in mind – the majority of larger Wyoming communities have a stream flowing through them that could benefit from restoration. Work in all of these places will benefit fisheries and wildlife resources and water quality, in addition to other values. Issues common to many of these streams, stream corridors, and watersheds: lack of beaver, trampled stream banks, excessive stream bank erosion, channel degradations, channel instability, over-widened channels, sedimentation, reduced floodplain connectivity, low riparian woody plant regeneration, loss of age-class diversity in cottonwoods, conifer encroachment, low stream flow, dewatering, loss of instream habitat, and invasive plant species.