Silver Creek Preserve in Bellevue, Idaho
In the high desert near Picabo, Idaho, a cold, wildlife-filled stream winds through wetlands and grasslands, fed not primarily by mountain runoff but by water emerging from the ground. Water from the surrounding hills and nearby Big Wood River percolates underground through an aquifer before being forced back toward the surface near the Picabo Hills. Numerous springs feed seven large tributaries…
In the high desert region near Picabo, Idaho, a cold stream with a rich wildlife habitat flows through wetlands and grasslands. This stream is primarily fed by groundwater, which emerges from the ground in the surrounding hills and the Big Wood River. Numerous springs contribute to seven large tributaries of Silver Creek, providing alkaline, nutrient-rich water that maintains a consistent temperature throughout the year.
This unique environment supports an abundance of aquatic insects and a thriving wild trout fishery, while the surrounding riparian habitat serves as a haven for moose, coyotes, bobcats, eagles, and over 150 recorded bird species.
The current landscape of Silver Creek Preserve is the result of a significant restoration experiment. Before its establishment as a preserve, portions of the creek and its watershed had been adversely affected by livestock grazing, fishing pressure, erosion, and other disturbances. In 1976, the Nature Conservancy purchased the original 479-acre property, encouraged by the local community.
Since then, the preserve has expanded to cover 882 acres, with more than 15,000 additional acres in the watershed receiving protection, often through conservation easements.
Written by urgent.news from Atlas Obscura's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
