The Kootenai Tribe of Idaho will build two river habitat restoration projects near Bonners Ferry this summer. The Bonners Ferry Islands and Straight Reach projects are part of the Kootenai Tribe’s ongoing Kootenai River Habitat Restoration Program. The purpose of the program is to restore and improve habitat conditions for endangered Kootenai River white sturgeon, burbot and other native fish.

Work on the Bonners Ferry Islands project began in 2015 and will be completed this summer. The project is located upstream from Highway 95 in front of the Kootenai River Inn.

This summer’s activities will include: excavation of one deep pool where an existing small island is currently located, grading of the south riverbank, construction of new floodplain areas using materials excavated from the pool, and riparian planting. Two large spurs made of piles, riprap and larger wood will also be built from the south riverbank extending into the river.

The second project, the Straight Reach project, is located just downstream from the Highway 95 bridge. Actions will include construction of two small rock spurs that extend from the riverbank into the river to help redirect flows. One spur will be built on the north bank and one on the south bank. In addition, using a barge, rocky materials will be placed over the current sand and clay riverbed to provide surfaces for sturgeon eggs to attach and spaces between the rocks were larval sturgeon can hide after they hatch.

The Tribe’s construction contractors began putting construction equipment in place and staging materials in early July.

The in-river construction and work along the river banks will take place from August through November.

Kootenai River Habitat Restoration Program projects are funded by the Bonneville Power Administration through the Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s Fish and Wildlife Program. Additional information about this year’s projects and the Kootenai River Habitat Restoration Program is available on the Kootenai Tribe’s website: www.restoringthekootenai.org.