It's finally time for restoration to begin at the Milltown Gateway. On April 14 the raw land within the County's right of way on both sides of the Black Bridge was hydroseeded with a mixture of fast growing annual rye and slower germinating natural fescues.

Just how the Blackfoot River will shape its channel is not yet known. A hundred years of reservoir conditions led to large accumulations of sediments which the river is now removing. Estimates are that the final river channel may be several feet lower than it is today.

Restoration will begin at higher elevations. This spring native shrubs and trees will be planted above expected high water levels by a team of restoration workers from Missoula County and the State joined by local volunteers. The first planting will be done on May 9.