Streambank Erosion Project questioned

As the closest neighbor to the actual Streambank Erosion Project along the Bighorn River I am surprised at the misinformation that was provided during the Natural Resource Tour regarding this project. Fact, Weed and Pest removed the Russian Olives along the outer bank of an oxbow in the river. Fact, yes the bank without the protection of vegetation began to immediately erode. I have personally watched large parts of the bank fall into the river during high water. I would guess that I have witnessed close to 10’ of bank disappear. Fact, NRCS and the Conservation District engineered and paid for this project. That is about where the facts end.

To repair the streambank NRCS did not use dead trees, they destroyed at least a dozen healthy tall native cottonwood trees to facilitate their ‘root wads’. Only two trees remain, one too large for their use and another with an active Bald Eagle nest, which was vacated by the eagles when the construction began. The root wads are not what was described, In reality they are, in my estimate, 20-40’ sections of trees with the root ball attached.

Very little of the mentioned concrete rubble mentioned was actually used in the project. There is a large mound of concrete scraps nearby the project.

One last note, you cannot significantly modify the shore on one side of a river without affecting the opposite shore. That is my property and as the river moved north and consumed the north bank, it deposited gravel and sediment on the opposite side raising the streambed. Only time will tell what will happen with the next high water.

This ‘project’ should not be classified as a showcase. It is an embarrassment to conservation and the stewardship of the Bighorn River.

By the way, I have photos and videos of this project.

Regards, Robert Aguiar