South Fork of the Snake River Project

The South Fork Snake River corridor from Swan Valley to Menan Buttes is one of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem’s (GYE) most outstanding fish and wildlife resources. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ranked the cottonwood gallery forest along this reach of the river the number one wildlife resource in Idaho. The multi-layered cottonwood forest is home to the greatest avian diversity in all of the GYE. The South Fork corridor is the most productive bald eagle nesting habitat in the GYE, and supports 25 other species of nesting birds of prey. The South Fork is widely regarded as the finest large native cutthroat trout river in the country.

Extensive cottonwood riparian forests and the surrounding canyons and cliffs along the South Fork provide vital habitat for a diversity of neo-tropical migrant songbirds as well as many other species, including many raptors. Within the South Fork corridor there are 14 bald eagle breeding territories, three peregrine falcon eyries, mountain lion dens, as well as abundant habitat for black bears and large game such as elk, moose, and mule deer. With many of these species listed as sensitive, threatened or declining, habitat protection is critical. Native populations of Yellowstone cutthroat trout are abundant, making the South Fork one of the best large native cutthroat rivers in the world.

In addition this reach of the South Fork, is an important trumpeter swan wintering area. The South Fork and Rainey Creek near Swan Valley have supported up to 300 wintering trumpeters. The South Fork is of critical importance to swans, geese and many other waterfowl during migration, nesting, and wintering.

Threatening these superlative resources is an exploding second home market. Development is occurring on scenic ridge tops of the canyon, in the cottonwood galleries and the wetlands. The Land Trust is working with willing landowner, agency and NGO partners in this project area to protect these lands along the river. Partners include the BLM, Forest Service, The Nature Conservancy, and the Conservation Fund.

Six landowner families have protected 1,559 acres through conservation easements. Consider some of the highlights:

• Pine Creek Bench – The Kruse Family protected an 800-acre working landscape along Pine Creek Canyon, a major cutthroat spawning tributary and spectacular wildlife habitat.
• Goe Flat – The Lufkins protected 151 acres of riverfront cottonwoods and upland winter range.
• Paradise Ranch – The Rudd Family conserved 307 acres of magnificent scenic resources and upland range adjacent to National Forest.
• South Fork - The Hamilton’s 244 acres along the river contain fir stands and farmland.
• Lundquist Ranch – The Lundquist family conserved 1200 acres of land along the river, a beautiful stretch of cottonwood bottomlands, cliffs, and uplands forming the heart of the family's beef cattle operation.