The Clark Fork Coalition of Missoula, Montana, was awarded a grant for improving road crossings on eight sites of Granite Creek, a coldwater tributary to the Lolo River. The purpose of this project is to increase the habitat for native fish populations including Bull Trout, Westslope Cutthroat Trout and other salmonid species.

In 2009, the National Forest acquired more than 32 square miles of timber lands in Upper Lolo Creek watershed as part of the larger ‘Montana Legacy Project’ in Western Montana. This land acquisition provides an opportunity for restoration and enhancement opportunities in the basin. Specifically, eight road crossings along Granite Creek road (FS 9942) that impeded fish migration and contributed to higher sediment loads in the creek were replaced with larger culverts integrated with the streambed and allowing passage of fish into critical spawning and rearing habitat.

Since 2006, road decommissioning and other road treatments have reduced overall sediment inputs and hydrologic impacts at a large scale in the Lolo Creek headwaters by removing stream crossings replacing culverts, culverts and installing dozens of large wood jams.

The entire project area lies on accessible public land and is open to angling. Wild fish populations are expected to increase because of the project, leading to more opportunity for angling success.