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Antelope Creek RM 4.3 Riparian Restoration Project

Antelope Creek RM 4.3 Riparian Restoration Project

Location: Antelope Creek, Spring Creek, and Yankee Creek between Meridian Rd. and Yankee Creek Rd.
Partners: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

Project Summary

This project focuses on restoring riparian habitat and improving water quality and agricultural water use efficiency along approximately two miles of Antelope Creek and its tributaries. The goals include:

  • Restoring 41 acres of riparian forest by removing invasive species, such as Himalayan blackberry, and replanting native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous species through reseeding and passive recruitment.
  • Installing 20,500 feet of livestock exclusion fencing to protect riparian vegetation and prevent livestock from accessing streams.
  • Converting 51 acres of surface-irrigated pasture to a gravity-fed pressurized wheel line irrigation system.
  • Improving surface irrigation infrastructure on an additional 15 acres.
  • Enhancing irrigation efficiency and reducing pumping costs for 161 acres.
  • Developing a spring-fed off-channel stock water facility to provide livestock access without degrading water quality.

These improvements will reduce stream temperatures, enhance aquatic and terrestrial habitat, lower wildfire risk in riparian areas, and eliminate tailwater return flows to nearby streams. The restored habitat is critical for species such as Coho salmon.

Project Status

Two people in jackets and hats examining or clearing branches in a forested area.
Our Riparian Restoration Conservationist, Clint Nichols, and intern Noah conduct a pre-project vegetation survey to assess site conditions before restoration begins.

Invasive blackberry removal began just prior to a federal funding freeze, which has delayed the use of anticipated NRCS IRA funds. Additionally, only two of five participating landowners completed NRCS applications, leading the project team to shift funding strategies toward state-level sources. Two additional grant applications are planned for submission in spring and fall. Cultural review has been completed with no substantial impacts identified, although a minor finding near a pipeline route may require further review by SHPO. Fence construction and invasive species control are expected to begin this spring. Planning has also been completed for the Lower Willow Field flood-to-sprinkler conversion and spring development at Yankee Creek Ranch, with funding proposals submitted for that 28-acre subproject.

Monitoring

JSWCD will monitor the project over five years, using two protocols annually. Monitoring will include:

  • Establishing two vegetation monitoring plots per acre within the riparian area, starting in Fall 2024 after invasive species treatment.
  • Annual assessments of vegetation establishment and invasive species regrowth.
  • Photographic documentation of all fencing and restoration work.

A monitoring intern has been hired this spring to support data collection and reporting efforts.

Person using a manual compass and notepad outdoors, possibly for navigation or surveying.
A densiometer is a simple tool used to measure how much of the sky is blocked by tree canopy. It helps us understand how much light reaches the ground, which is important for planning vegetation restoration and tracking plant growth over time.