Whitefish plans riverbank stabilization work

The city of Whitefish plans to repair portions of the Whitefish Riverbank in the Riverside Park area, but first needs three required permits for the stabilization work.

Whitefish Floodplain Administrator Bailey Minnich said a city floodplain development permit is one of the required authorizations. The project also requires a 404 permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and a 124 permit from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks for work on municipal property.

The work area is located in the 100-year floodplain of the Whitefish River, and includes two areas on the west side of Riverside Park and an area on the east side of Baker Avenue near Kiddie Park.

Minnich said the city proposes to put gravel and landscape fabric on the sites to help prevent further erosion along a total of 135 feet of riverbank.

“It’s deteriorating more and more,” she said. The area on the west side includes the popular dock area where park users often feed the ducks.

The Whitefish Planning Office is taking written comments until April 13. They can be mailed to 418 E. Second St., Whitefish, or emailed to bminnich@cityofwhitefish.org.

The city hopes to have the work completed this spring before the river level rises, Minnich said.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.