PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Bridge to Bend project is dedicated to restoring the Big Wood River from Sheeps Bridge through Gimlet. Now in its initial design phase, the project engages leading experts to address hardened banks, sediment buildup, habitat degradation, and complex flooding concerns.
 

RESTORATION STRATEGIES:

• Removal or modification of artificial barriers (e.g., levees, rock riprap, culverts) to reinstate floodplain access and natural bank processes.

• Reconnection of historic side channels and floodplains to disperse floodwaters, recharge aquifers, and support native species.

• Installation of natural or engineered large wood structures (e.g., PALS, ELJs) to slow flow, retain sediment, and provide habitat complexity.

• Creation of sediment retention zones or natural deposition areas to promote clearer, more stable channels.

• Integration of process-based and low-tech methods that restore hydrologic, geomorphic, and ecological function over time.

• Utilizing native riparian vegetation and bioengineering techniques can help stabilize banks, moderate temperatures, and enhance habitat resilience.
   

This reach has been heavily altered by decades of development and channelization, leaving the river less resilient and more unpredictable. In particular, flood behavior near Gimlet Bridge has consistently outpaced official risk maps, underscoring the urgency of restoration.
 

Today, more than 40% of the riverbanks in this reach are armored with riprap—large, angular stones placed to prevent erosion. Despite these traditional interventions, the 2023 flood forced evacuations and high-alert warnings for 48 homes, underscoring the limits of reactive and hardscape solutions.

Since the major floods of 2017, the river’s channel has become increasingly erratic - eroding private property, threatening infrastructure, and raising risks for nearby neighborhoods. Upstream alterations continue to deliver excess sediment downstream, compounding the likelihood and severity of future flooding.
 

The Bridge to Bend project is a direct response to these mounting challenges. By applying holistic, science-based strategies, it seeks to stabilize the river, reduce risk to communities, and restore the natural processes that support a healthier watershed.
 

At Project Big Wood, we see restoration as both a responsibility and an opportunity. Through the Bridge to Bend project, we’re applying science-backed practices to reconnect the Big Wood River with its natural processes and with the people who depend on it. By working alongside partners, landowners, and local agencies, we aim to create a model for how letting the river lead can reduce risk, restore habitat, and strengthen our community. Together, we’re helping ensure the Big Wood continues to shape life in the valley for generations to come.

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PROJECT GOALS AND BENEFITS​

• Reduce flooding and erosion: Restore natural river dynamics and reduce flood risk, manage sediment, reduce erosion, and protect water quality

• Create richer aquatic habitat: Improve habitat for wildlife and fish

• Build Resilience: Delivering long-term ecological gains

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PARTNERS​

Project Big Wood, the Flood Control District, and the Wood River Land Trust have come together as the Bridge to Bend Advisory Group, ensuring the restoration work is rooted in shared knowledge, resources, and community values.​