Project Contact: Susan Ireland
Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, Bonner’s Ferry, Idaho

The purpose of the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho’s Kootenai River Habitat Restoration Program (KRHRP) is to improve habitat conditions to support all life stages of endangered Kootenai River white sturgeon, burbot and other native fish. Historical diking, agricultural conversion, infrastructure development, and construction and operations of Libby Dam have changed the river morphology, upland and riparian vegetation, and aquatic habitat. These changes limit the ability of many native fish populations, including the endangered Kootenai River white sturgeon and burbot (ling), to survive and thrive in the Kootenai River.

The KRHRP consists of many individual projects addressing site-specific river conditions that currently limit the success of native fish in the Idaho portion of the Kootenai River. The multiple KRHRP projects will work together to improve habitat conditions at the larger river-reach scale. The KRHRP is an ecosystem-based program that takes into account the habitat needs of all life stages of multiple fish species, the food web, and many other factors. The projects are also designed to respect and work with local land uses, Libby Dam river operations, and local community values. Each project is designed to function within a range of dam operated river flows and to improve fish habitat without requiring additional flows or increasing local flood risks. In addition to restoring habitat conditions, construction of the projects also contributes to the local economy through purchases of many local goods and a broad range of services

To learn more about this effort, view the full restoration highlight here: PDF.