Wetland Restoration

The abundance of wetlands in the Swan Valley makes this river valley unique among all watersheds in western Montana. The valley floor holds more surface water than any other Montana watershed; 16 percent of the land base is comprised of wetlands. Water collects in over 4,000 potholes, ponds, lakes, marshes and peatlands, and a 1,300-mile network of streams transports water throughout the valley.

Have a restoration
project in mind?

We work closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in a wetlands restoration program designed to restore degraded or manipulated systems on private lands to their natural hydrologic function. We’re happy to help with free property consultations, technical expertise, and funding.

These wetlands, and all of the connected riparian linkages that run between them, function as high quality habitat for many of our most sensitive species, both plant and animal. Wetlands also perform important ecosystem services such as water filtration, flood control, and groundwater recharge. Wetlands in the Swan Valley are threatened by conversion, being drained to promote pasture or dredged to create ponds.

Before After

BEFORE + AFTER


Swipe left and right to see a ditched and drained wetland prior to and after restoring its natural hydrology.

The largest wetland restoration project in Montana’s history

In 2022, SVC partnered with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and River Design Group (RDG) of Whitefish to complete a wetland restoration project on the Swan River National Wildlife Refuge. The project was funded by a $1 million North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant. Based on RDG’s assessment, a mind-boggling 15.7 miles of drainage ditches were identified, but by filling 4,960 linear feet (0.94 miles) of them at strategic locations it was concluded that a whopping 609 acres of wetlands could be restored to their natural hydrology and function, and 394 acres of reed canarygrass could potentially be reduced or eliminated.

The refuge pre- and one year post-project…and a river otter who’s also happy with the results.

Photos and drone footage courtesy of River Design Group

From the archive:

“Wetlands start to refill in the Swan Valley”
By Laura Lundquist, Montana on the Ground, October 23, 2015