We’ve all seen the creek flowing outside the high school, but have we ever thought about the fact that it is an actual creek, which was once home to fish and is a tributary to the East Gallatin? Mandeville Creek is a spring fed creek that has been renovated to flow around our daily lives. Biology and Wildlife teacher Robin Hompesch has started a project to restore the creek to the healthy and beautiful stream it once was. Ms. Hompesch said she once pulled a Brown Trout out the creek that was 8 inches long, now 15 years later, only a family of ducks inhabit the creek. The creek restoration project is trying to restore the creek to its former glory.

The project includes; changing the shape of the creek to a more meandering flow rather than straight, planting native grasses, shrubs, and trees along the bank, varying the depths of the water and reintroducing fish. According to Ms. Hompesch, the creek is polluted and too warm, which means that warm dirty water flows into the Gallatin, and is potentially dangerous to our world class fishing river. Though Mandeville Creek is one of many small tributaries, it’s impact on the ecosystem is vital. If all of the small tributaries were in the same shape as ours, the Gallatin River would be in trouble. The restoration efforts will clean it up and provide homes for countless fish, ducks and muskrats.

The educational aspects of this project are also invaluable. Outdoor classrooms and labs will be set up along the banks providing biology and other classes a chance to get in the field and enjoy the outdoors. The outdoor classrooms will serve as outdoor labs for biology classes to study micro invertebrates, fish and plants. Other groups will be able to hold class outside and take advantage of sunny days as well.

The project is projected to cost $100,000, and through grants and donations $53,000 has been raised. The $100,000 goal will ensure that the entire creek on school property gets restored. Ms. Hompesch is seeking school clubs and groups to “adopt” a section of the creek and help to restore it. If any community group is interested in helping they can contact Ms. Hompesch by calling 522-6200. Donations of artwork like sculptures, or stepping stones to enrich the new tributary are also being taken. The project is set to be completed by next fall, and student / community involvement is key to the success of this project. Ms. Hompesch added, “The sky’s the limit, and we can set a good example for the community”.

Chloe Nostrant is a high school junior at Bozeman High School and photo editor for Hawk Tawk. She enjoys skiing, photography, hunting and the outdoors.