Old growth cedar trees like these, with their extensive root systems, once provided stability to handle large flood flows without damage to the channel or floodplains. Many of these trees were harvested around the turn of the century.
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Flood deposited sediment and unstable channels have caused significant damage to homes, bridges and roads. The photo on the left was taken during 1996. Floods overtake a truck. |
Removal of streamside mine tailingsThese mine waste products consist of ground and processed ore, and are rich in heavy metals including lead, zinc and cadmium. Most mine waste products are a reddish color in the following photos.
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View of Pine Creek from the Liberal King Mine (during 1996 floods).
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View of Pine Creek from the Liberal King Mine (after floods with mine waste (red material) in streambed). |
View of Pine Creek from the Liberal King Mine (after removal of streamside mine tailings in 2003).
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BEFORE: Pine Creek floods through Highland Mine tailings (red material),1996.
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AFTER: Removal of Highland Mine tailings from streambed, 1999.
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BEFORE: Pine Creek incises through Douglas Mine tailings during and after the floods in 1996.
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AFTER: Realignment of Pine Creek & road away from the Douglas tailings (red material on right of road), 2002. | |
Sediment Source Treatments |
BEFORE: Rock Dump Stabilization, Gilbert Mine Dump, 1997. Over steepened streamside wasterock piles like these at the Gilbert Mine in 1997, often generated from miles of mine tunnels, can provide an overwhelming and long-term load of coarse sediment to the stream system.
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AFTER: Stream Realignment, Gilbert Mine Dump, 2003. In some cases it is more effective to create a new, stable channel away from the sediment source.
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Bank StabilizationDepending on the situation, in critical areas stream banks have been stabilized with large rock, wood, or combinations of the two. |
Riprap placement below the Liberal King Mine. | 
Placement of woody fish habitat on floodplain below Highland confluence. |
Stream RealignmentEncouraging or training the channel toward a more stable pattern. Good design is based on interpreting present conditions, together with gathering history from long-time residents and old aerial photos. |
BEFORE: During moderate to large floods, Pine Creek, particularly the East Fork, has plugged or washed away undersized culverts. BLM has replaced one undersized culvert and stabilized the channel upstream. Following a recent flood with a ten-year return period, the culvert performed well, while three other tributary culverts, on both forks of Pine Creek, required maintenance by the county. BLM has applied jointly with Shoshone County Public Works for cost-share funds to upgrade several culverts. | 
DURING: During moderate to large floods, Pine Creek, particularly the East Fork, has plugged or washed away undersized culverts. BLM has replaced one undersized culvert and stabilized the channel upstream. Following a recent flood with a ten-year return period, the culvert performed well, while three other tributary culverts, on both forks of Pine Creek, required maintenance by the county. BLM has applied jointly with Shoshone County Public Works for cost-share funds to upgrade several culverts. |
AFTER: During moderate to large floods, Pine Creek, particularly the East Fork, has plugged or washed away undersized culverts. BLM has replaced one undersized culvert and stabilized the channel upstream. Following a recent flood with a ten-year return period, the culvert performed well, while three other tributary culverts, on both forks of Pine Creek, required maintenance by the county. BLM has applied jointly with Shoshone County Public Works for cost-share funds to upgrade several culverts.
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BEFORE: Floods overtake car at Highland Confluence, 1996. |
AFTER: 2002 Highland Confluence with Pine Creek after restoration. | |
Revegetation — the cornerstone of restoration |
Willow Seedling | 
White pine seedlings
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White pine seedling | 
Willow revegetation |
AFTER: Willows growing back naturally; creek rerouted away from mine dump on upper right. No more red color sediment (heavy metals) from the mine dump. | 
Close-up of mine dump/timbers.
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White pine seedlings.
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Back to Pine Creek Project | |
