This stream site is located directly behind the famous Garden's Gate Restaurant, and was designated as the highest priority site to be rehabilitated on the entire length of Blue Jay Creek because of cattle access, the site's upstream location, site visibility and ease of access. The work was completed in the summer of 2004 and a major change in the fish population at that location is clearly visible already.

What was done?

• Restoring and Improving Channel Edges: Fish need streams to be deep enough and not too slow so the banks were rebuilt to keep the water cool enough. Beam structures placed underwater along the banks provide habitat and stop erosion so they reduce sediment in the stream and improve local water quality.



• Limit Livestock Watering: A cattle watering area allows livestock to drink from the stream without eroding the banks.



• Improve Canopy and Riparian Vegetation: Trees and shrubs planted along the banks provide shelter to keep the water cool, and stop erosion and runoff. The debris they drop is the beginning of the stream's food chain.



• Improving In-Stream Habitat: Large rocks were placed in the stream which create fish spawning habitat in the riffles and pools they make.