In 2002, Idaho listed the South Fork Palouse River as bacteria-impaired after livestock grazing. 14 years later, restoration helped remove it from the 2016 impaired list

The South Fork Palouse River restoration began with a problem Idaho could not ignore. In 2002, the river was listed as bacteria-impaired, with livestock grazing among the identified sources. Fourteen years later, its water showed a different picture. Restoration work helped reduce E. coli levels enough for Idaho to remove that impairment in 2016. The story shows how practical conservation can slowly change a troubled river.