HomeMy WebLinkAboutBozeman Creek Enhancement Plan Commission Memorandum
REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Thom White, Park and Cemetery Superintendent
SUBJECT: Bozeman Creek Enhancement Plan
MEETING DATE: July 23, 2012
AGENDA ITEM TYPE: Action
RECOMMENDATION: I move that the Commission adopt the Bozeman Creek
Enhancement Plan as presented by staff and the Bozeman Creek Enhancement Committee.
BACKGROUND: For a number of years the public has made comments to City staff about the
Bozeman Creek and improvements they would like to see along the 6-mile stretch that runs
through the city. Bozeman Creek, through the one-mile reach centered on the downtown
Bozeman area, is significantly altered and confined, with frequent road crossings, culverts, and
channelized reaches, even passing under downtown Bozeman buildings and streets. These
alterations negatively impact the creek’s ability to filter runoff, pass flood flows, provide fish and
wildlife habitat, and provide citizens with a community asset in the heart of town.
In 2011 a group of interested professionals organized a committee to help address the issues
associated with Bozeman Creek. The Bozeman Creek Enhancement Committee (BCEC) is a
partnership of organizations, agency staff and individuals dedicated to the task of making
Bozeman Creek the best community asset possible. BCEC membership includes representatives
from the Bozeman Parks and Recreation Department, Downtown Bozeman Partnership, Friends
of Bogert Park, Gallatin Local Water Quality District, Gallatin Valley Land Trust, Greater
Gallatin Watershed Council, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Trout Unlimited Madison-
Gallatin Chapter, and several professional firms and landowners. The BCEC has been meeting
for nearly two years, and receives planning and technical assistance from the National Park
Service’s Rivers and Trails Program.
The BCEC’s work is guided by four goals:
• Goal 1: Foster broad awareness of and appreciation for Bozeman Creek, leading to a
strong community stewardship ethic.
• Goal 2: Restore the natural processes necessary for a functioning creek ecosystem
• Goal 3: Improve water quality to support aquatic life and primary contact recreation.
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• Goal 4: Provide ample public access and appropriate recreational opportunities along the
creek corridor, while ensuring resource protection.
In order to achieve the goals set forth by the BCEC, they have developed the Bozeman Creek
Enhancement Plan. A copy of this plan is included in your packet. The plan is intended to help
guide the protection and enhancement of the reach of Bozeman Creek within the city limits of
Bozeman. It includes a long-range vision for Bozeman Creek, along with a set of goals,
objectives and strategies to realize that vision. A number of potential creek enhancement
projects are identified that would help to accomplish plan goals.
The BCEC made significant efforts throughout the planning process to understand public
sentiment about the creek. One message that emerged clearly early on was that people strongly
support enhancement of Bozeman Creek. Because this plan is a result of considerable public
involvement and input, we believe that it will be supported by the community.
RECREATION AND PARKS ADVISORY BOARD: During the July 12, 2012 Recreation
and Parks Advisory Board meeting, the board voted unanimously to recommend the commission
adopt the Bozeman Creek Enhancement Plan.
UNRESOLVED ISSUES: None
ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by commission.
FISCAL EFFECTS: A number of grants have been applied for to help fund the Bozeman
Creek in Bogert Park project.
Attachments:
• Bozeman Creek Enhancement Plan
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Bozeman Creek Enhancement
Plan
July 9, 2012
Bozeman Creek Enhancement Committee
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Table of Contents
Introduction ……………………………………………………………………. 4
Current condition…………………………………………………………. 4
Planning efforts …………………………………………………………... 5
Goals, Objectives and Strategies……………………………………... . 7
Vision …..………………………………………………………………….. 7
Goal 1: ….….………………………………………………………………. 7
Goal 2: ……………………………………………………………………… 8
Goal 3: ……….…………………………………………………................. 10
Goal 4: ….………………………………………………………………….. 10
Potential Creek Enhancement Projects ………………..…………… 13
Longer-term/more complex projects………………………………… 13
Shorter-term/less complex projects …………………………………. 14
Appendices ……………………………………………………………………. 16
A: Current and completed projects …………………………….......... 17
B. Management emphasis by creek reach…………………………... 20
C: Project prioritization worksheet …………………………………… 22
D: Summary of community input……………………………………… 24
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Introduction
This document is intended to help guide the protection and enhancement of the reach of Bozeman Creek
within the city limits of Bozeman. A long-range vision for Bozeman Creek is articulated, along with a
set of goals, objectives and strategies to realize that vision. A number of potential creek enhancement
projects are identified that would help to accomplish plan goals.
This plan documents the work over the past two years of the Bozeman Creek Enhancement Committee
(BCEC), a group of concerned citizens that began meeting to find ways to improve the value of
Bozeman Creek as a community amenity. In order to create a plan likely to enjoy strong public support,
the BCEC made significant efforts throughout the planning process to understand public sentiment about
the creek. One message that emerged clearly early on was that people strongly support management of
the creek as a valuable community asset. Community input on issues, concerns, desires and ideas
regarding the creek served to guide development of this plan’s vision, goals and objectives. See
Appendix D for a summary of community input.
Bozeman Creek through the city is ecologically impaired, limited in its value for community recreation
and aesthetic enjoyment, and in places essentially nonfunctional. Yet the creek holds tremendous
promise to become a highly valued community centerpiece. This plan provides guidance for restoration
of many of the functions of a healthy stream corridor. True ecological restoration, in the sense of a
return to the natural condition that existed prior to human disturbance, is neither possible nor desirable
through the heart of Bozeman. Rather, the goal of this plan is to provide value to the community by
encouraging and guiding enhancement of the creek’s structure and ecological function.
This plan can be used to develop project priorities for the protection and enhancement of Bozeman
Creek. Yet it must be recognized that future actions are likely to be some combination of implementing
planned priorities and seizing timely opportunities. In either case, this plan provides guidance for
beneficial action. Given that the vision for the creek is long-term, it is expected that this plan will be
revisited and updated periodically.
Current Condition
From its headwaters in the Gallatin National Forest to the jurisdictional boundary with Gallatin County,
Bozeman Creek is in relatively good condition. The Sourdough Creek Watershed Assessment 1
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completed in April 2004 by the Bozeman Creek Watershed Council, describes some impacts to the creek
in this upper reach from roads, past logging, and recreational use. The current potential for a large
wildfire in the headwaters followed by heavy rains on erodible soils that could severely impact the City
of Bozeman’s Water Treatment Facility has prompted plans by the US Forest Service for forest
management, scheduled to begin in the near future.
Bozeman Creek flows for 2 ½ miles through an agricultural landscape between the national forest and
the City of Bozeman’s jurisdictional boundary just south of Goldenstein Road. Primarily used for
pasture and dryland crops with wide areas of riparian vegetation, impacts to the creek in this reach are
limited to occasional bank erosion and some diminishment of flows from irrigation.
1 This document provides considerable background information on the natural resources of Bozeman Creek and the
Sourdough Watershed.
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Significant impacts to Bozeman Creek begin to occur as the creek enters dense residential housing, then
the commercial and industrial areas of the city. Bozeman Creek was channelized through the center of
town back in the early days of the area’s settlement, as evidenced by Sanborn maps dating from 1891.
The most highly impaired reach of Bozeman Creek is the one-mile reach extending on either side of
downtown, from Story Street to Peach Street. Here, Bozeman Creek has been narrowed and
straightened, its banks armored with rock, concrete and other waste materials, its riparian vegetation
removed or reduced to a thin green line. Downtown, the creek runs underground beneath streets and
buildings. Elsewhere in the urban core, the creek is confined by parking lots and other development.
These alterations severely impact the creek’s ability to filter runoff, pass flood flows, provide fish and
wildlife habitat, and provide citizens with a community asset in the heart of town.
From the confluence with Limestone Creek to the East Gallatin River, the Montana DEQ has placed
Bozeman Creek on the State’s 2010 303(d) list of impaired streams for excess nutrients (total
phosphorus, total Kjehldahl nitrogen), sedimentation/siltation and E. coli bacteria. North of Interstate
90, although water quality is still impaired, the creek regains some of its natural character, associated
habitat, and other resource values and recreational potential.
Planning Efforts
A citizen’s group called the Bozeman Watershed Council formed in 1991 primarily to address issues on
the national forest in the creek’s headwaters, and completed the Sourdough Watershed Assessment in
2004. (Bozeman Creek runs through Sourdough Canyon in the national forest; the creek generally is
referred to as Bozeman Creek within the city limits and as Sourdough Creek upstream of Bozeman).
This document provided a comprehensive analysis of the watershed with management suggestions for
the future, including recommendations for restoration of the creek where possible in its lower reaches
through the City of Bozeman.
A number of other plans have been developed over the years that to some extent have addressed
Bozeman Creek’s value as a resource to the city, including:
• Bozeman 2020 Community Plan (2001)
• Bozeman Creek Neighborhood Plan (2004)
• City Stormwater Facilities Plan (2008)
• Northeast Urban Renewal District plans (2008)
• Downtown Bozeman Improvement Plan (2009)
• Bogert Park Master Plan (2010)
• Gallatin Watershed Restoration Plan (2010)
In the fall of 2010, a group of community organizations, city and agency staff, consulting professionals,
and creekside landowners began meeting to discuss how to improve Bozeman Creek through Bogert
Park. The City of Bozeman applied for and was granted assistance from the National Park Service’s
Rivers and Trails Program to provide technical expertise and to coordinate the group’s efforts. The
group quickly determined that the scope of the problem was far larger than Bogert Park, and turned their
attention to the entire 6-mile reach through the city, from Goldenstein Road to the confluence with the
East Gallatin River. The Bozeman Creek Enhancement Project was inaugurated with the overall goal to
improve the condition of Bozeman Creek and its value to the community wherever possible throughout
the city.
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The Bozeman Creek Enhancement Committee (BCEC)2
has been working to develop this long-range
enhancement plan for Bozeman Creek while simultaneously identifying and working on high-priority
early-action projects. The BCEC’s work has been guided by an intensive process of substantive
community involvement. The project’s vision, goals and objectives were developed through public
input received through numerous venues. These have included a well-attended public workshop in
February, 2011, presentations to community groups including neighborhood associations, conservation
groups and service clubs, a public opinion survey, and several public events.
As of June 2012, the BCEC has been involved in the following projects: (see Appendix A for more
detail)
- A preliminary design has been developed and fundraising begun for an enhancement project at Bogert
Park.
- An hydraulic model has been developed for Bozeman Creek from Story Street to Peach Street to guide
future planning and design.
- A conceptual design has been developed to reconfigure the city’s parking lot at Rouse Avenue and
Babcock Street, including enhancement of Bozeman Creek and creation of a creekside park.
- A streambank stabilization pilot project was completed on two properties in the northeast
neighborhood.
- An annual creek cleanup event was inaugurated in 2011
- Two members of the BCEC – the Greater Gallatin Watershed Council and the Gallatin Local Water
Quality District - have implemented a citizen stream monitoring program that has collected water quality
data at two locations on Bozeman Creek in the impaired reach since 2008.
2 The Bozeman Creek Enhancement Committee is a partnership of community groups, city and agency staff, consulting
professionals, creekside landowners and other individuals. The partnership includes the Bozeman Parks and Recreation
Department, Downtown Bozeman Partnership, Friends of Bogert Park, Gallatin Local Water Quality District, Gallatin Valley
Land Trust, Greater Gallatin Watershed Council, Interactive Water Use and Resource Conservation Center, MT Fish,
Wildlife and Parks, and Trout Unlimited’s Madison-Gallatin Chapter. The Bozeman Creek Enhancement Committee meets
regularly, and receives planning and technical assistance from the National Park Service’s Rivers and Trails Program.
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Goals and Objectives
The following vision and goals for the Bozeman Creek Enhancement Project were developed by the
BCEC through a 1 ½-year process of review and refinement with substantive community involvement.
Vision: Bozeman Creek is a focal point of our quality of life, with a healthy and continuous stream
corridor. We are a community with a culture of stewardship and awareness of the creek and its values,
and we support:
• A naturally functioning and connected creek corridor with healthy riparian areas and floodplains;
• An aquatic environment that supports a vigorous plant and animal community;
• Clean water for people and wildlife;
• A safe and beautiful recreational corridor with ample public access, and;
• Integrating this valued asset into community planning and design, contributing to a vibrant
downtown.
Goal 1: Foster broad awareness of and appreciation for Bozeman Creek,
leading to a strong community stewardship ethic.
Objective 1.1: Inform residents about the natural resource values of the creek corridor,
the ecological services it provides, its past and present importance to the Bozeman
community, and current enhancement efforts.
Strategies:
1.1.1 Provide educational opportunities for Bozeman School District and MSU students and
faculty (outdoor classrooms, monitoring and restoration work, research opportunities)
Relevant Projects: L1, L5, L7, L9, S7, S8, S10, S11
1.1.2 Create thematic interpretive exhibits at strategic locations along the corridor (perhaps
arranged as an interpretive trail): natural, recreational, social, historical perspectives.
Relevant Projects: L1 -7, L9, S2, S5, S7-11
1.1.3 Publicize the ongoing progress of the Bozeman Creek Enhancement Project through a
range of venues:
o Produce and distribute a semi-annual “project update”
o Maintain a website to inform the public about initiatives and progress, solicit
comment, and display data collected by professionals, students, and volunteers.
o Make periodic presentations to interested groups and organizations
o Submit a “Voices of the River” periodic column to the Bozeman Chronicle.
Objective 1.2: Create opportunities for stewardship engagement by community
members.
Strategies:
1.2.1 Implement an adopt-a-stream-reach stewardship program at schools, businesses, and
organizations
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1.2.2 Engage volunteers in projects: systematic water quality and resource monitoring, annual
creek cleanups, restoration events, etc
1.2.3 Provide creekside landowners with information about the ecological and economic value
of the creek and best practices, and support them in making stream improvements.
Relevant Projects: L2, L4, S7
Goal 2: Restore the natural processes necessary for a functioning stream
ecosystem
Objective 2.1: Improve channel, floodplain, and riparian structure and function.
Strategies:
2.1.1 Improve the natural character, ecological function, and recreational value of Bozeman
Creek while reducing flood potential in the very visible but highly degraded one-mile corridor
through downtown, from Mill Ditch diversion above Story Street to Peach Street.
Relevant Projects: L1 -7
2.1.2 Plan, design, fund, and implement creek enhancement projects on public properties to
improve ecological and recreational value.
Relevant Projects: L1-3, L5-7, S2, S11
2.1.3 Work in partnership with owners of creekside properties in the downtown core to explore
redevelopment opportunities that recognize the creek as an asset and that may include creek
enhancements.
Relevant Projects: L2, L4
2.1.4 Daylight the creek where culverted to restore continuity.
Relevant Project: L2, L10
2.1.5 Collaborate with MDT on road improvement projects that have the potential to include
creek enhancements.
Relevant Projects: L7, S3
2.1.6 Explore opportunities with north side commercial/industrial property owners to provide
creek enhancements.
Relevant Projects: S7-10
2.1.7 Provide creekside landowners with expertise, manpower and/or funding assistance to
improve riparian vegetation and to replace armored revetments with bioengineered treatments.
Relevant Projects: S7
2.1.8 Enlarge undersized box culverts or replace them with bridges for enhanced flood
conveyance and wildlife passage. Consider requiring that all new culverts/bridges pass the 100-
year flood flow.
Relevant Projects: L6
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Objective 2.2: Enhance habitat for fish and wildlife.
Strategies:
2.2.1 Improve habitat continuity by extending riparian habitat through current gaps in the
riparian corridor and enhancing riparian width where possible.
Relevant Projects: L1-5, L10, S7,
2.2.2 Provide appropriate instream habitat for all life stages of desired aquatic organisms and
adequate corridor space to provide for dynamic stream processes that sustain habitat.
Relevant Projects: L1-5, L7, L10, S7,
2.2.3 Manage large woody debris in the channel to balance habitat benefits with infrastructure
risk and human safety.
Relevant Projects: L1-5, L7, L10, S7
2.2.4 Provide wildlife enhancements, such as dipper boxes under bridges.
2.2.5 Establish a long-term monitoring program to determine baseline water quality conditions
and limiting factors for fish populations.
2.2.6 Manage upland and aquatic invasives that can negatively impact aquatic ecological
health.
Objective 2.3: Maintain instream flows to sustain ecological function.
Strategies:
2.3.1 Encourage the use of best management practices to retain stormwater runoff to maintain
natural streamflow levels and for groundwater recharge.
2.3.2 Consider the potential effects of future water supply alternatives upon instream flows,
aquatic habitat, and channel maintenance and encourage alternatives that minimize impacts.
2.3.3 Work with owners of diversions to ensure summer flows sufficient for fish survival
2.3.4 Promote community water conservation programs that increase base flow conditions in
the summer months
Objective 2.4: Maintain reaches of the creek that are currently in good condition.
Strategies:
2.4.1 Provide creekside landowners with tools, information, and assistance to maintain and
improve stream function and riparian health.
Relevant Projects: S8-10
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2.4.2 Consider strengthening the stream setback ordinance to limit removal of riparian
vegetation and other practices that may impact the creek.
2.4.3 Explore interest in conservation easements to maintain stream corridor integrity
Goal 3: Improve water quality to support aquatic life and primary contact
recreation
Objective 3.1: Minimize pollution of surface and ground water from sediment, biological
pathogens, excess nutrients, urban pollutants and hazardous wastes
Strategies:
3.1.1 Implement stormwater best management practices, such as on-site retention/detention
basins, low-impact development techniques, constructed wetlands, filtration structures at
outfalls, and stormwater grate stenciling/decals.
Relevant Projects: L9, S12
3.1.2 Identify and address impacts from pipes discharging into the channel
3.1.3 Mitigate nutrient loading of upstream tributaries and upper mainstem.
3.1.4 Facilitate the replacement of failed/leaking septic systems in residential areas
3.1.5 Host an annual creek cleanup event
Objective 3.2: Establish and sustain a robust water quality monitoring program to
determine baseline conditions and document changes
Strategies:
3.2.1 Expand the existing efforts of the Gallatin Local Water Quality District and the Greater
Gallatin Watershed Council to include additional sampling sites along the length of Bozeman
Creek through the city.
3.2.2 Provide opportunities for students, service clubs, and others to be involved in monitoring.
Goal 4: Provide ample public access and appropriate recreational
opportunities along the creek corridor, while ensuring resource protection.
Objective 4.1: Provide additional open space, greenways, public parks and trails along
the creek
Strategies:
4.1.1 Seek opportunities to purchase creekside properties for new parks along Bozeman Creek.
Relevant Projects: L2, L4, L5, L7, L9, L10, S5, S8, S10
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4.1.2 Include a trail corridor and/or public access site as part of creek enhancement projects, as
appropriate.
Relevant Projects: L1-5, L7-10, S5, S7
4.1.3 Develop a continuous trail generally following the creek corridor through the city core to
connect neighborhoods to the north and south with downtown and to the Main Street to the
Mountains trail network.
Relevant Projects: L1-5, L7-10, S4-10
4.1.4 Develop a continuous creek greenway through the north-side industrial area between
Tamarack and the East Gallatin River.
Relevant Projects: S7 – S10
4.1.5 Design trails, stream access sites, and other recreational amenities to be consistent with
resource protection.
4.1.6 Collaborate with the Gallatin Valley Land Trust, the city, neighborhood associations, and
other stakeholders to accomplish mutual trails goals.
Objective 4.2: Foster a recreational fishery emphasizing opportunities for kids
Strategies:
4.2.1 Improve aquatic habitat and recreational access
Relevant Projects: L1-7, L9-10, S7
4.2.2 Encourage Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks to actively manage Bozeman Creek’s fish
populations and species composition to optimize recreational value.
4.2.3 Provide access improvements such as handicap fishing platforms, kid-friendly fishing
areas, and educational signage.
Relevant Projects: L1, L3, L5, L7, S5,
4.2.4 Provide public access to creek reaches that currently have good aquatic habitat and
healthy populations of large trout, e.g. the reach between I-90 and the East Gallatin River.
Relevant Projects: S9-10
Objective 4.3: Provide/improve desirable amenities at existing and new creekside
parks.
Strategies:
4.3.1 Emphasize amenities for passive enjoyment of the creek environment
4.3.2 Ensure natural resources are protected from recreational impacts
4.3.3 Harden or re-design eroded high-use areas
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4.3.4 Consider natural resource-based educational/interpretive signage
Objective 4.4: Encourage the development of businesses along the creek corridor that
cater to park and trail users, and/or enhance people’s opportunity to enjoy the creek.
Strategies:
4.4.1 Design outdoor gathering and event space(s) along the creek corridor downtown.
Relevant Projects: L1-5, L10
4.4.2 Consider business opportunities in developing site design plans for downtown creek
enhancement projects
Relevant Projects: L2-4, L10
4.4.3 Facilitate new stream-centric business opportunities beyond the urban area, such as
through the northside industrial areas.
Relevant Projects: S9-10
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Potential Creek Enhancement Projects
Acronyms:
DBP - Downtown Bozeman Partnership
FWP – Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
GLWQD - Gallatin Local Water Quality District
GVLT - Gallatin Valley Land Trust
GGWC - Greater Gallatin Watershed Council
IWURCC - Interactive Water Use and Resource Conservation Center
TU - Trout Unlimited Madison-Gallatin Chapter
Longer-term/more complex projects
L1. Enhance the ecological function and recreational value of Bozeman Creek through Bogert Park.
Potential Partners: City of Bozeman, GVLT, FWP, TU
Progress to Date: 30% design development. Est. project cost is $525,000. Fundraising in progress.
L2. Daylight Bozeman Creek between Olive and Babcock Streets either by abandoning Rouse Avenue,
or by working with landowners to redevelop the property at the southwest corner of Rouse and Babcock.
Potential Partners: DBP, landowners, City of Bozeman
L3. Reconstruct the city parking lot at Rouse and Babcock to enhance Bozeman Creek and create a
creekside park, reconfigure public parking, and mitigate site stormwater impacts to the creek.
Potential Partners: DBP, Bozeman Parking Commission, City of Bozeman
Progress to Date: A conceptual design has been selected. Fundraising in progress.
L4. Work with owners of the parking lots between Main Street and City Hall to improve channel
morphology, augment riparian vegetation, and provide a trail corridor.
Potential Partners: DBP, landowners, City of Bozeman
Progress to Date: Two landowners have expressed interest in exploring this idea.
L5. Work with the city to realign Bozeman Creek through the City Hall parking lot and Creekside Park
to improve channel, floodplain, and riparian conditions, to expand the park, and to address the problem
of repetitive local flooding. Consider purchasing the adjacent propert(ies) to the north from willing
sellers for park expansion.
Potential Partners: City of Bozeman, DBP, landowners
Progress to Date: Adjacent landowners to the north who frequently experience flooding would like
their properties to be acquired and included in an expanded Creekside Park.
L6. Replace existing undersized box culverts at Lamme and Mendenhall Streets with larger culverts or
bridges for improved flood conveyance.
Potential Partners: City of Bozeman, GGWC
Progress to Date: HEC-RAS analysis of Bozeman Creek between Story and Peach Streets completed
May, 2012 quantifying hydraulic constriction
L7. Work with MDT and the city to improve creek structure and function and to create creekside public
parks between Lamme and Peach Streets as part of the Rouse Avenue road improvement project.
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Potential Partners: MDT, City of Bozeman, FWP, GVLT
Progress to Date: BCEC and MT FWP have informed MDT of the opportunity for, and community
interest in, stream enhancements. A city commissioner has expressed interest to MDT in converting a
specific parcel to a creekside park.
L8. Develop trails through the Bozeman Creek Neighborhood paralleling and crossing the creek
between Kagy and Ice Pond Road/Gallagator Trail, as per the preferred alternative in the Bozeman
Creek Neighborhood Plan
Potential Partners: GVLT, Bozeman Creek Neighborhood Association
L9. Construct a wetland to intercept and treat effluent from the stormwater pipe across from the
Northwest Energy substation on Church St. Include educational and recreational components in the site
design, and connect this new park site by footbridge and trails with Burke Park and Christie Fields.
Potential Partners: GVLT, City of Bozeman, adjacent landowners, Northwest Energy
Progress to Date:
L10. Remain open to possibilities to daylight the creek through Main Street.
Potential Partners: DBP, City of Bozeman, GVLT
Shorter-term/less-complex projects
S1. Work with the USGS to establish a gaging station on Bozeman Creek
Potential Partners: IWURCC, GLWQD
S2. Improve Ice Pond Park with weed removal, native plantings, more park amenities such as benches
and tables, wildlife enhancements, and creek access site improvements. Possible need for purchase/use-
agreement of a 12’-wide strip of private land along the east bank of the creek.
Potential Partners: City of Bozeman, GVLT
S3. Detain runoff from MDT’s Rouse Ave street paint operation
Potential Partners: MDT, GLWQD
S4. Provide a bridge crossing the creek at Aspen Street in the northeast neighborhood.
Potential Partners: Northeast Neighborhood Association, GVLT
Progress to Date: NENA has applied for funding from the Recreational Trails Program
S5. Acquire the property at 905 S Church, demolish the house, replace the footbridge, and create a
creekside park connecting by trail to Burke Park and the Gallagator, and by sidewalk to downtown.
Potential Partners: City of Bozeman, GVLT
Progress to Date: Property purchased by private party in February, 2012.
S6. Develop a trail connecting Gardner Park to Burke Park. Route could follow the south and east sides
of the golf course to a new trailhead at Candy Lane, then connecting with the conservation easement and
Hausser Park at Kagy and Sourdough Road.
Potential Partners: GVLT
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Progress to Date: Landowner adjacent the north end of Candy Lane is interested in conserving the
stream corridor and allowing a trail.
S7. Work with owners of the “Bozeman Brick” and truck repair properties at Rouse and Oak to improve
creek bank condition and riparian vegetation and to provide a creekside trail connecting Oak Street with
Tamarack St to the south.
Potential Partners: GVLT, GGWC, City of Bozeman, Northeast Neighborhood Association
S8. Investigate the potential for a creekside park or greenway at the triangle-shaped property between I-
90 and rail line.
Potential Partners: City of Bozeman, GVLT
S9. Investigate the potential for a creekside trail through the commercial property immediately north of
I-90 and east of Bozeman Creek.
Potential Partners: GVLT, City of Bozeman
S10. Investigate the potential for a creekside park or greenway at the confluence with the East Gallatin
River.
Potential Partners: GVLT, City of Bozeman
S11. Reduce impacts of dog waste on the creek near the national forest trailhead at Sourdough Canyon
with better stewardship, improved buffer vegetation, and/or realigning creek or trail for separation (may
be a complex project).
Potential Partners: USDA Forest Service, GVLT, GGWC, GLWQD
Progress to Date: Signage, dog waste removal contractor
S12. Install one or more stormwater treatment systems as a demonstration/pilot project.
Potential Partners: City of Bozeman, IWURCC
Progress to Date: City has acquired a TSEP grant for this purpose for use on public property.
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Appendices
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Appendix A
Current and Completed Projects
Bozeman Creek Enhancement at Bogert Park - A creek enhancement project at Bogert Park was
identified as a very high priority project by the BCEC due to: the reach’s impaired condition and
location at the upsteam end of the most-impacted part of Bozeman Creek; public ownership and use of
the site as a popular city park; high visibility and proximity to the center of town; value as a
demonstration project and site for environmental education; and very strong public support. A creek
enhancement project at Bogert Park will assist in attaining all of the stated goals of the Bozeman Creek
Enhancement Project.
Thomas, Dean and Hoskins Engineering completed two survey and mapping projects at Bogert Park in
2011: one of topography and infrastructure, and a second of the property boundaries for parcels along
the west side of the park.
In July of 2011, the BCEC contracted with Confluence Consulting and Applied Geomorphology to
conduct a site analysis, develop a range of alternative conceptual designs for the creek through Bogert
Park, and assess the benefits, risks, limitations, and relative costs of each. The BCEC hosted a well-
attended city-wide open house in November, 2011 to present this work to the community and hear
people’s comments, ideas, and preferences regarding the alternatives. Additional comment was solicited
by posting the alternative designs along with explanatory material on the city’s website.
After analyzing public comment, a preferred conceptual plan was developed that combined the best-
supported elements of several of the alternatives, avoided expensive infrastructure alterations, and
minimized conflicts with adjacent landowners. This preferred concept plan has guided subsequent
detailed design of the project.
After the enhancement project was formally supported by the Bozeman Parks and Recreation Advisory
Board, $20,000 was raised from a combination of city Parkland Improvement Grant funds and a
matching grant from the Friends of Bogert Park. The City issued a Request For Proposals in February
2012 to produce a preliminary design (30% design) for the project. A consulting team was selected
from among three local companies that submitted proposals. The consulting team consisted of
Confluence Consulting, TD&H Engineering, Intrinsik Architecture, Nishkian Monks Engineering, and
Design 5 Landscape Architecture. This team had a breadth and depth of expertise in stream restoration
design, aquatic and riparian enhancement, wetland assessment, hydraulic, civil and structural
engineering, stormwater management, landscape architecture and park design, as well as local
knowledge of the creek. The team has developed a preliminary design along with an estimate of
construction costs and phasing options, and has documented their work with a report finalized on June
15, 2012.
Once additional funds for the project have been secured, the design will be completed, necessary permits
secured, bid documents prepared and a construction contractor selected to build the project.
Hydraulic Modeling – Allied Engineering Services was contracted by GLWQD and the City of
Bozeman to develop a hydraulic model of Bozeman Creek from Story Street to Peach Street, the
approximately one-mile reach through downtown Bozeman where the creek has been most heavily
impacted. Allied completed this work in May 2012 and produced a report documenting the effort. The
hydraulic model will serve as a planning, design and permitting tool for considering opportunities and
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constraints for channel and habitat enhancement projects in the modeled reach. The model was used to
assist in developing the preliminary design for the creek channel, floodplain and footbridge at Bogert
Park, and will guide final design of these elements. This work was funded by grants from the Montana
Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and the Montana Trout Foundation.
Downtown Bozeman Creek Park(ing) Project
The BCEC has been assisting project sponsors - the Downtown Bozeman Partnership and Bozeman
Parking Commission – in redesigning the public parking lot and adjacent reach of Bozeman Creek
northwest of the intersection of South Rouse Avenue and East Babcock Street in Downtown Bozeman.
The project’s objectives are to: 1) enhance Bozeman Creek and create a creek side park; 2) maximize
public parking function and capacity; and 3) mitigate storm water issues. A design team led by Intrinsik
Architecture was selected in September 2011, produced a number of alternative conceptual designs for
public review, and produced a report in May 2012 with a recommended conceptual plan that balances
the three project goals and transforms the parking lot from a dysfunctional downtown eyesore into a
community asset. The next steps are to secure funding, develop final designs, secure permits and
construct the project.
Streambank Stabilization
In December 2011, the BCEC assisted two neighboring landowners in the northeast neighborhood to
stabilize their creek banks. The project involved removing slabs of concrete, reshaping bank contours,
installing erosion control fabric and seeding the disturbed site with native grasses. The project will be
completed in Spring 2012 by installing native riparian shrubs and trees. Project costs were defrayed by
a grant from the Northern Rocky Mountain RC&D, equipment donations and volunteer laborers.
Similar assistance is available in 2012 to other landowners interested in this kind of assistance.
North Rouse Avenue Reconstruction
MDT’s Rouse Avenue reconstruction project, currently planned for 2015, presents a significant
opportunity to improve the natural function, recreational value, and aesthetic appeal of a 650’-1000’
reach of Bozeman Creek located at the front gate to downtown Bozeman. MDT’s current plans do
nothing to improve the existing armored and channelized condition of the creek. BCEC sent formal
comments to MDT requesting that creek enhancements be included in this project; a supporting letter
was sent to MDT by MT Fish, Wildlife and Parks. At a minimum, properties already planned to be
acquired for the project should be dedicated as public creekside parks, with channel and riparian
restoration. Pending the outcome of MDT’s right-of-way negotiations, there may be additional
opportunities for a longer greenway, and to move the creek out of its current position against the
roadway surface. BCEC will continue to monitor this project as it evolves and advocate for creek
enhancement.
Bozeman Creek Cleanup
The BCEC has instituted an annual creek cleanup and held the inaugural event on Saturday, October 1st,
2011. Volunteers met at the Bogert Pavillion, spent the morning removing trash in and along the creek
between Ice Pond Road and City Hall, then returned to the park for lunch. The cleanup netted half a ton
of metal, which was taken to Pacific Steel for recycling, and many bags of trash. The event was
financed by grants from the Montana Watercourse and local businesses associated with the Interactive
Water Use and Resource Conservation Center.
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Appendix B
Management Emphasis by Creek Reach
Existing condition Creek structure and
function
Access
Maintenance
Reach
Channel and riparian
vegetation largely intact
Maintain natural processes and
riparian corridor.
Recreation is secondary to
ecologic integrity.
Restoration
Reach
Some channelization, bank
armoring, and riparian
degradation
Restore natural processes to
greatest extent possible.
Provide additional access
opportunities while protecting
ecological function
Enhancement
Reach
Channel severely
constrained by buildings
and other infrastructure.
Enhance creek reaches through
public lands. Provide channel
and riparian enhancements
wherever landowners are
willing.
Increase public access, especially
at public parks, while protecting
ecological function
Urban Reach Culverted and channelized
between buildings and
parking lots downtown
Improve channel morphology
and riparian vegetation to add
value as an urban community
asset. Daylight culverted
reaches as possible.
Increase public access to creek
through design of creekside trails,
parks and community spaces.
Creek Reach Management Emphasis
Goldenstein to Sourdough Ridge Rd Maintenance
Sourdough Ridge Road to diversion dam Restoration
Diversion dam to Olive Enhancement
Olive to City Hall at Lamme Urban
Lamme to RR crossing Enhancement
RR crossing to East Gallatin River Restoration
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Appendix C
Project Prioritization Worksheet
This Project Evaluation form is intended to provide a measure of objective consistency to the evaluation
and prioritization of stream enhancement project proposals.
A. Implementation Considerations
This section is used to help understand a project proposal’s “real world” issues, opportunities and
constraints which have bearing on the ability of a project proposal to be implemented.
Instructions:
An attached narrative should address each of the following considerations, accompanied by supporting
documentation/evidence.
1) Has a funding source been identified? Has funding, matching funds, and/or in-kind donations (land,
labor, equipment) been pledged or secured?
2) Can the project be implemented on existing public lands? If not, can necessary easements/rights-of-
way or agreements be acquired at reasonable cost from willing landowners?
3) Does the project represent a judicious use of limited financial resources?
4) Describe any construction challenges. Do the benefits justify the anticipated expense?
B. Project Function
This section is used to comparatively rank the value of specific stream enhancement project proposals
against the goals and objectives of the Bozeman Creek Enhancement Framework. When considering
support for a proposed project, priority should be given to those projects scoring higher.
Instructions
The 12 criteria are weighted to reflect the relative importance of a project proposal to the Bozeman
Creek Enhancement Framework. Each reviewer should 1) assign a “Value (0-4) to each criteria, 2)
determine the “Score” for each criteria by multiplying the “Weight” by the “Value”, and 3) add all
criteria scores to determine “Reviewer Total Score”. The scores of all reviewers will then be averaged
to arrive at a final score for the project.
Proposed projects should be categorized as one of the following:
- longer-term/more-complex projects
- shorter-term, less-complex projects
This will allow proposals to be comparatively rated against projects of similar scope..
Project Weight
(1-3)
Value (0-
4)
Score
1. Informs residents about creek values and the BCEP
2. Creates opportunities for community stewardship
3. Improves channel, floodplain, and riparian structure and function
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4. Enhances habitat for fish and wildlife
5. Restores or maintains natural flow conditions
6. Helps to maintain reaches currently in good condition
7. Reduces point or non-point sources of pollution
8. Provides additional open space, greenways or parks along the creek
9. Connects creek corridor to community trail system
10. Fosters a recreational fishery
11. Provides/improves amenities at creekside parks
12. Encourages development of appropriate businesses along the
creek corridor
13. Prevents imminent loss or degradation of natural resources, or
loss of public access
Reviewer total score
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Appendix D
Summary of Community Input
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Summary of Flipchart and Questionnaire responses 3
Bozeman Creek Enhancement Project
Public workshop, February 9, 2011
Most valued aspects of Bozeman Creek
- Public access to water/greenway
- Community asset, quality-of-life
- Intrinsic value, symbol of connection to ecosystem/watershed, vein of life
- Downtown location
- Aesthetics, natural attraction to sights/sounds/smells of water, tranquility
- Trail corridor and spurs, transportation pathway, connectivity
- Recreational opportunities
- Year-round flows
- Water quality
- Wildlife and wildlife habitat, connectivity
- Fish and aquatic habitat
- Floodplain/flood abatement
- Social opportunities
- Opportunities with dogs
- Educational opportunities for kids and general public
- Thread of history, memories
- Potential for enhancement
- Undeveloped corridor preserves options for the future
Best-liked places
- Bogert Park
- Tuckerman Park
- Sourdough trail and greenway
- City Hall and rain garden
- Creekside Park
- Gallagator trail near Ice House
Detractions
- Downtown loss of continuity and connectivity, entombment, unsafe; most marginalized in the urban
area where it has most potential to reach the most people
- Constrained corridor: channelized, riprapped, steep banks, pavement/buildings along banks
- North Rouse encroachment on creek
- Commercial property constrictions north on Rouse – storage units, Kenyon Noble)
- Limited access: private lands/physically inaccessible
- Poor trail connectivity
- Run-down public amenities/lack of amenities/dangerous access
- Bank erosion
- Lack of riparian vegetation/buffer/ wildlife habitat
- Missing wildlife, eg beaver
3 Comments from both sources are included, with similar responses grouped together
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- Poor fishery habitat
- Flooding: localized and potential for catastrophic
- De-watering for irrigation and personal pumps (sometimes w/o a water right)
- Poor water quality: Pollution/stormdrains/littering/MDT spray paint runoff/septic systems (S Church,
valley)
- Bogert Park: overuse, loss of trees, bank erosion
- Invasive plants
- Little public awareness/respect/understanding of importance; lack of signage; two-name issue
- Setbacks not enforced; inconsistent site plan review
Desired improvements
Geomorphology and human infrastructure
- Daylight the creek
- Restore natural creek morphology: Restore proper width/depth ratio, create riffle-pool profile, increase
sinuosity, reduce entrenchment, remove riprap and stabilize banks with vegetation.
- Widen the creek corridor to allow for natural channel process
- Replace creekside parking lots with an expanded creek corridor
- Reduce/eliminate flooding issues by adjusting morphology, providing a floodplain accessible to creek,
and/or purchasing floodprone properties.
- Evaluate bridge abutments for potential impacts
Habitat and greenway corridor
- Preserve existing areas that are in good shape
- Widen creek corridor wherever possible
- Create more creek greenway. Many respondents called for a continuous greenway corridor from
Sourdough trailhead to E Gallatin. Also, see “site specific suggestions”.
- Improve/expand riparian vegetation and function
- Restore a full spectrum of native plants and animals (incl. beaver)
- Provide wildlife enhancements, e.g. dipper boxes under bridges
- Improve fishery
- Manage large woody debris in channel to balance habitat benefits with infrastructure risk and human
safety
- Reduce upland and aquatic invasives
- Beautify the corridor
Water quality and flows
- Improve water quality; to sustain healthy fish, wildlife and vegetation; highest quality
- Take a watershed approach to improving water quality (e.g. consider impacts from golf course,
agriculture)
- Improve some of the drainages that enter Bozeman Creek (e.g. Matthew Bird Creek)
- Reduce effects of stormwater w/filtration, infiltration, constructed wetland treatment, low impact
development, ‘stormceptor’, grate painting/signs/decals
- Remove illicit discharge pipes; address mystery pipes
- Reduce/treat parking lot runoff; install a rain garden behind Eagles
- Stop runoff from MDT street paint operation
- Address septic failures in residential areas/upgrade systems; provide city sewer to properties between
Kagy and Ice Pond
- Improve dog waste pickup near the Sourdough trailhead
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- Remove trash
- Conduct a water quality pilot project for community awareness
- Address leaks in city water system
- Reduce dewatering by enforcing water rights
- Address flooding issues
Access and recreation
- Increase public access to the creek; increase opportunities to hear/see/touch the water
- Build more trails along the creek corridor. Numerous respondents called for a continuous trail
generally paralleling the creek corridor from Sourdough trailhead to the E Gallatin. Also, see “site
specific suggestions” below.
- Create more creekside parks
- Build more bridges
- Restore trout fishing areas and access; good fishing all the way through
- Make the creek boatable
- Provide a tubing reach
- Create a swimming hole
- Make creek a part of the neighborhood
- Provide seating areas
- Provide handicap access
- Improve safety for kids, people of all ages, animals; identify potential hazardous points
Education and interpretation, landowner support
- Conduct a community education and awareness campaign: Value of riparian corridors, wetlands, fish
and wildlife and connectivity; importance to the human community; water quality, runoff and pollutants;
restoration; stewardship.
- Create interpretive exhibits: creekside interpretive trail; place displays in high traffic areas such as
parks and downtown
- Research and interpret a history of creek use from Native Americans to now
- Implement an adopt-a-stream-reach stewardship program: schools, businesses, organizations
- Create opportunities for all levels of engagement by community members.
- Provide educational opportunities for Bozeman School District, MSU
- Provide a detailed creek corridor map
- Create a Bozeman Creek Enhancement Project website: fun for kids, but sophisticated enough to house
data collected by students, volunteers and researchers.
- Provide creekside landowners with information about ecological/economic value of creek and best
practices. Support them in conducting cleanup efforts w/manpower and equipment. Encourage them to
provide educational/research access. Explore interest in easements/land swaps.
Economic development
- Provide opportunities for creek-centered commercial development
- Encourage more restaurant creekside patios
- Increase foot traffic along the creek and to downtown businesses
- Use downtown daylighting to generate economic development opportunities
- Convert downtown parking to commercial opportunities w/creek amenities
- Make the creek a focal point of downtown
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Site-specific suggestions
Bogert Park
- Widen creek corridor, foster a more robust vegetative community, allow meandering, stabilize banks,
improve instream habitat, accommodate flood flows, and improve safety.
- Provide a rain garden to filter parking lot runoff and educate the public
- Provide a boardwalk in erosion-prone areas
- Provide handicap access
- Numerous people want creek improvements at Bogert.
North Rouse Ave
- Take advantage of the MDT/Rouse Ave highway project to improve the creek.
- Widen creek corridor, provide natural channel morphology, create/expand riparian zone
- Acquire parkland from MDT
- Elevate Rouse Ave over a creek greenway
- Remove Rouse and replace with a creek greenway
- Use a different road for the state highway.
Downtown
- Daylight the creek: Numerous people called for daylighting the creek throughout downtown, or parts
of it.
- Restore natural characteristics to the visible parts of the creek to improve downtown quality of life
- Improve the creek through downtown parking lots, especially the City lot behind Eagles
- Create more parks and greenway with public access, and link to creek corridor greenway/trail system
- Make creek improvements at existing city properties: city parking lot, City Hall, Rouse Ave
- Make the creek a central amenity/focal point downtown
Creekside Park and City Hall
- Fix flooding problem at Creekside Park by modifying channel form
- Buy and remove the house that floods
- Explore potential for MDT help in conjunction w/Rouse project
- Make creek improvements at Creekside Park
- Make improvements at City Hall property
North side
- Provide trail improvements along creek in industrial areas (mini-warehouses, Kenyon Noble brickyard)
- Provide bridge crossings in the NE neighborhood (Aspen St, other)
- Provide trails to connect downtown to the E Gallatin through the NE neighborhood
- Rehab creek at Kenyon Noble, and provide a trail
- Enhance creek near Stockyard Cafe
South side
- Implement the Bozeman Creek Neighborhood Plan; work with landowners to create a greenway
between the Gallagator Trail and Kagy
- Protect land/create park from Kagy to Sourdough trailhead
- Make Sourdough trail access on Kagy obvious
- Remove fences along the Gallagator near climbing boulder
- Acquire park land and trail connection at the north end of Candy Lane.
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- Conduct a stormwater improvement pilot project for Christie fields pipe adjacent the Manion property
- Install a footbridge near Christie Park on an easement
Planning, fundraising, priorities
Planning/implementation strategies
- Link existing creek-related plans, incorporate into city’s Capital Improvement Plan
- Implement Bozeman Creek Neighborhood Plan
- Look for comparable example to replicate
- Recognize that conditions, resources, funding can be dynamic and change over time
- Manage halfway between controlled and natural
- Use Matthew Bird Creek as a model (steep bank mitigated, safety improved).
- Manage the creek to afford resilience to change (drought, flood, climate change)
- Buy land/create a publicly owned corridor
- Need a mission statement to inspire action
- Come up with ‘catchy’ simple short slogan
- Potential partners: Trust for Public Land, MT Conservation Corps
- Conduct cost-benefit analyses to evaluate specific projects
- Implement enhancement measures using a watershed approach, and involve everyone
- Ensure that dogs don’t detract from this community resource (feces, menacing, chasing fish and
wildlife)
- Far too complex to talk about the entire stretch at once; break into groups and tackle specific issues.
- Use rapid assessment protocols to monitor water chemistry, aquatic macroinvertebrates and riparian
function (e.g. Wild Utah Project RSRA)
Fundraising
- Raise funds with a creekside art competition
- Look for economic development grants for daylighting
- Use land banking to raise money for conservation purchases
- Issue a city parks/Bozeman Creek license plate
- Apply for NRCS programs such as WHIP and EQIP
Project priorities
- Make a project at Bogert the first demonstration project to get public attention and support
- Create quick, easy projects to generate community buy-in, show capacity to make change
- Since space is limited, focus on parks and parking lots – buy parking spaces
- Work on where we can see the creek, not where it is buried
Vision statement
Most respondents said the preliminary vision statement reflects their values and concerns.
Suggested additions
- Add “access” to the recreation bullet
- The creek contributes to a vibrant economy downtown
- The creek fosters community
- Acknowledge respect for private property rights
- State need for vigilance, maintenance and sustainability
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- More emphasis on educational aspects
- “Native animals/wildlife”
- “Place-based public education”
Questions/concerns
- Meaning of “animals”
- Define “quality of life”
- Subjectivity of some terms, e.g. naturally functioning and beautiful. How will these be measured?
- The creek corridor extends to Mystic Lake and beyond; planned large reservoir is worrisome
- Address goals, measurability, sustainability
- Today, Bozeman Creek does not look like we are a community of stewardship
- Bozeman Creek could be a focal point . . .and we support the improvements needed to . . . Add action.
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Bozeman Creek Enhancement Project
Discussion Questions for public workshop, February 9, 2011
The Bozeman Creek Enhancement Committee is assessing the current condition and identifying
opportunities for making community-supported improvements to the Bozeman Creek corridor through
the city of Bozeman. To help the committee understand public sentiment about the creek, please answer
the following questions. Note that “Bozeman Creek corridor” means the creek and its associated
vegetation between Goldenstein Road and the East Gallatin River.
1) What is most important to you about the Bozeman Creek corridor?
2) What do you like best about the creek?
3) What detracts from the existing or potential value of Bozeman Creek?
4) What improvements to the Bozeman Creek corridor would you like to see in the future, and which is
your top priority? (For now, disregard any real-world constraints.)
5) What specific, place-based opportunities do you see to improve the Bozeman Creek Corridor or
provide access to it?
6) The Bozeman Creek Enhancement Steering Committee has written a preliminary vision statement,
describing a desired condition to strive for by the year 2030:
Does this vision reflect your values and concerns?
“Bozeman Creek is a focal point of our quality of life, with a healthy and
continuous stream corridor. We are a community with a culture of
stewardship and awareness of the creek and its values, and we support:
• A naturally functioning and connected creek corridor with healthy
riparian areas and floodplains;
• An aquatic environment that supports a vigorous plant and animal
community;
• Clean water for people and animals;
• A safe and beautiful recreational corridor enjoyed by a variety of
users; and
• Integrating this valued asset into community planning and design,
and providing opportunities for public education and interpretation.”
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Bozeman Creek Enhancement Project
Survey Summary 4
The Bozeman Creek Enhancement Committee is assessing the current condition and identifying opportunities for making community-
supported improvements to the Bozeman Creek corridor through the city of Bozeman. “Bozeman Creek corridor” means the creek and its
associated vegetation between Goldenstein Road and the East Gallatin River. To help the committee understand public sentiment about the
creek, please answer the following questions.
1. Which of the following do you value most about the Bozeman Creek corridor? Please mark your top three (3).
103 Opportunity to enjoy the sights, sounds, & smells of a creek in town
45 Symbol/evidence of our connection to the ecosystem/watershed
56 Location for creekside parks
57 Location for creekside trails
34 Location downtown
13 Instream recreational opportunities such as wading, floating, swimming
23 Opportunity to watch wildlife
17 Opportunity to fish
19 Educational and stewardship opportunities
12 Reminder of the thread of history
2. How important is improving the Bozeman Creek corridor to Bozeman’s quality of life?
69 Very important
52 Important
3 Not important
5 Waste of time and money
1 Don’t know
4 Summary of 130 respondents. Note that not all respondents answered every question.
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3. How would you rate the current condition of the following aspects of the Bozeman Creek corridor?
Very Good Adequate Inadequate Very Poor Don’t know
Channel character (width, depth, meanders, etc) 6 29 27 45 11
Creekside vegetation and upland habitat 5 28 32 35 15
Aquatic habitat and fishery 3 13 44 30 26
Capacity to convey floodwaters 3 26 34 40 15
Summer flows 5 62 19 12 16
Water quality 8 20 35 23 28
Number of creekside parks 4 34 49 19 9
Quality of creekside parks and amenities 6 40 44 19 3
Availability of trails in the corridor 9 36 44 23 4
Character of the creek downtown 4 16 29 68 3
Public awareness of the creek and its value 2 12 47 48 6
Overall asset to the community 35 19 43 15 2
4. Which of the following improvements to the Bozeman Creek corridor would you support, if they were feasible?
Strongly Support Neutral Oppose Strongly
support oppose
Restore natural channel geometry 54 30 21 23 14
Uncover some or all of the underground creek segments downtown 54 38 12 8 1
Increase the extent, diversity, and continuity of creekside vegetation 61 38 12 3 1
Improve aquatic habitat, restore fish populations and fishing opportunities 49 42 19 2 1
Reduce localized flooding and the potential for a catastrophic flood 57 41 14 1 2
Ensure adequate instream flows in the summer 50 52 19 1 1
Improve water quality 68 35 11 1 0
Improve the quality/amenities of existing creekside parks 41 40 26 4 1
Provide additional public creekside parks 36 36 26 5 2
Construct more trails along creek corridor, while ensuring resource protection 48 37 22 4 2
Remove invasive plants 57 47 9 1 0
Provide education and stewardship opportunities 40 49 21 1 0
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5. Specifically where along the Bozeman Creek corridor would you like to see enhancements, and what would they be?
(See separate compilation of comments)
6. Do you have any other thoughts regarding enhancements to the Bozeman Creek corridor?
(See separate compilation of comments)
7. Please tell us about yourself
12 I own property on Bozeman Creek
8 I live adjacent Bozeman Creek
40 I live within a couple blocks of the creek but not adjacent to it
47 I live more than a couple blocks from the creek but within Bozeman city limits
17 I live outside Bozeman city limits in Gallatin County
8. If you would like to receive periodic project updates, please provide your name and email address:
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