Montana Trout Unlimited seeks $20,000 to replace culvert in Cooke City to reduce flood risk and restore fish passage

Katie Young, a project representative with Montana Trout Unlimited, told Park County commissioners on Feb. 27 that the organization is seeking $20,000 to replace an aging culvert near the transfer station on Soda Butte Creek.

"There's a backwatering effect from that culvert right now that contributes to flooding," Young said, describing an old steel pipe that is not fully embedded, is causing erosion under the road and may exacerbate future flood damage to Bannock Trail and the transfer station. Young said the project is intended to simultaneously improve flood resilience and provide aquatic organism passage for Yellowstone cutthroat trout.

Young said designs are approximately 60% complete and that Montana Trout Unlimited expected 90% engineered designs by April, with implementation targeted for fall 2026 or, if delayed, 2027. The applicant characterized the project as shovel-ready and said funding is being assembled from multiple sources.

Commissioners asked procedural questions about whether the project would be completed or study-funded; Young said the work was intended as a construction project and that the organization was pursuing additional grants. Staff said the project will be reprioritized on the next agenda and will be considered alongside other applications at the March appropriations meeting.

The project affects infrastructure used by residents and visitors and aims to restore fish passage while reducing localized flood risk in the Cooke City area.