Extensive bank erosion has occurred to islands and shorelines in the Clark Fork River, located at the confluence of the Clark Fork River and Lake Pend Oreille in North Idaho, resulting in losses of soil, native riparian and wetland vegetation, as well as the quantity and quality of fish and wildlife habitat.
It is estimated that between 12-15 acres are lost annually to the operation of several dams on the watershed, according to Idaho Department Fish and Game.
The majority of the erosion of the delta soils is the result of wave action and water level fluctuations of Lake Pend Oreille due to the operation of the Albeni Falls dam, located on the Pend Oreille River near the Washington/Idaho border.
In addition, about 15–25 percent of all habitat loss in the delta is attributed to the operation of the Cabinet Gorge/Noxon Rapid hydroelectric projects located upstream on the Clark Fork River.
A short documentary film was produced by Scott Rulander and submitted to the University of Idaho Film Festival in October 2017.
The film shows some of the construction efforts completed for a portion of Phase I of the restoration project. The construction began in November 2014, and was completed by March 2015.
Construction efforts included: