Revegetation design for riparian systems impaired by sulfide mine wastes

The reclamation success of the impaired riparian system along Silver Bow Creek downstream of Butte in Southwestern Montana depends upon revegetation for permanent streambank stabilization and minimization of floodplain erosion. It requires detailed planning to maximize vegetative success and long-term reclamation effectiveness. The revegetation design incorporates key components such as water availability (climatic patterns and hydrologic regime), topographic features, and soil substrate characteristics (depth, water holding capacity, texture, fertility, reactivity and salinity). Analogous field pilot-scale and full-scale projects in the vicinity were used to identify the most critical design parameters. The revegetation design process characterized the reconstructed topographic, hydrologie, and edaphic conditions of the site which led to revegetation zone identification. These combined, site-specific elements and the experience and information from pilot- and field-scale projects, formed the basis for the selection of species, plant materials, and planting techniques.