Removing the Rattlesnake Creek Dam will result in 35 river miles reconnected for native fish, 10 acres of wetlands restored, 45 acres of new open space, 2 miles of new biking/hiking/skiing trails and a new 5-mile class II/III boating opportunity near Missoula, Montana.

Trout Unlimited estimates the cost of removal to be in the $1 million to $1.8 million range, with the work anticipated to be done in the summer of 2020. Demolition of the structures is expected to cost between $507,000 and $1 million and restoration of the creek bed is estimated in the $574,000 to $860,800 range.

"We have done 50 percent of the preliminary design, which is sufficient to get good cost estimates but not a firm estimate. So we have a high and low range depending on anything from what diesel prices are to how much other construction activity is going on. So far, we have spent about $200,000 on planning, on-the-ground data collection costs, engineers, hydrologists and working on designs" according to Rob Roberts , a project manager with Trout Unlimited.

Please consider donating to this cause to help remove the structure and restore the creek bed, a local project that benefits the Missoula community directly!