Idaho reconnected 8 acres of floodplain and built 2,000 feet of side channels

In Ketchum, Idaho, an extensive restoration initiative at Warm Springs Preserve is now attempting to reverse some of the changes that took place over the years, bringing the surrounding floodplain and stream habitats back into the picture after they were lost. This project, which brings together the City of Ketchum and the Wood River Land Trust, has already reconnected eight acres of floodplain and constructed 2,000 feet of side channels along Warm Springs Creek.

It has also introduced close to 40 large woody debris structures and created a one-acre wetland. There is another rather significant part of the effort too, which is to build an upgraded irrigation system that is expected to save approximately 50 million gallons of water every year.Warm Springs Preserve sits at the foot of Bald Mountain in Ketchum, where Warm Springs Creek meets the Big Wood River.

While the landscape is now being recognised for its restoration potential, its history has been rather different.