Twin Lakes
The Twin Lakes Tribal recreation area will be restored and refurbished after a period of heavy overuse, with the CSKT Recreation program and the Mission Mountain Youth Crew.
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Programs
Environmental Restoration Program
Restoration and mitigation for historical and contemporary natural resources impacts due to the construction and operation of the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project.
The program
Restoration, mitigation and compliance
The Restoration Program oversees and implements restoration and mitigation for historical and contemporary natural resources impacts due to the construction and operation of the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project, as specified in Section 7 of the Montana Water Rights Protection Act. The program also ensures compliance with mandatory federal and Tribal environmental regulations, such as NEPA and permitting.
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Jocko River - Bison Range Reach Restoration
The Bison Range Reach of the Jocko River plays an irreplaceable ecological role in the Jocko watershed — it is the gateway for migratory salmonids that move among the Jocko, Flathead, and Clark Fork rivers to complete their life histories. This stream reach is critical to cold-water fish seeking thermal refuge as the Flathead River warms during summer.
The Project proposes to construct approximately 14,300 linear feet of new Jocko River channel in an historical channel alignment in the former floodplain, reclaiming approximately 12,000 feet of existing Jocko River to upland, wetland, and riparian habitats, and actively restoring the current and former floodplain. The proposed project is expected to produce over 30 acres of new wetland habitat.
Phase 1 Construction
Watch the river come back
TEMPORARY PUBLIC CLOSURES are in place during construction.
Workflow Timeline
Bison Range Reach, step by step
Design and Permitting: 2023
- Design Consultant: River Design Group, Geum Environmental Consulting
Fall 2024 – put out to bid
- Project was put out to bid in October, 2024. CSKT received 4 bids total, and selected Glacier Excavating Inc. based on the factors outlined in the RFP.
Construction: 2025-2026
- Phase 1 of project construction began in late February 2024 and will continue through the fall/winter of 2026.
Phase 2
- Phase 2 is anticipated to be constructed in fall/winter of 2026 through winter of 2027.
Related
More restoration work
North Fork Jocko Tabor Diversion
Reconnecting stream habitat for native fish, protecting Bull Trout and Westslope Cutthroat Trout, and improving long-term reliability for irrigators.
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Contact
Environmental Restoration Program
Tabitha Espinoza
Environmental Restoration Program
Restoration projects need partners
Restoration procurement — willow collection, planting services, mitigation sites — is posted on Documents & Procurement.