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Woody stem densities on undisturbed drainage areas averaged 4888 stems/acre for all three years compared to 471 stems/acre in 1988, 897 stems/acre in 1989, and 1304 stems/acre in 1990 on reconstructed drainage areas. Flow rates have been significantly reduced following the installation of stock tanks and dozer basins on reclaim and spoil areas, respectively. Discharge readings were recorded from a 10-year, 24-hour parshall flume (with Stevens Water Level Recorder) located in the north end of the Coyote Gulch reconstructed drainage channel. The peak flow in 1987 (22.24 cfs) occurred as a result of a high intensity thunderstorm in June (.74" ppt) and caused severe erosion within the newly regraded drainage channel. In 1988, fol- lowing drainage reconstruction and water retention strategies, the peak flow rate associ- ated with a .53" precipitation event (June) registered .04 cfs of discharge water. Simi- larly, ahigh intensity thunderstorm in 7uly 1989 (.75" ppt) resulted in a discharge of 1.23 cfs. The peak flow in 1990 was 1.78 cfs and occurred during March. In addition to assisting in runoff control, the proper frequency and distribution of livestock ponds has aided in evenly spreading big game animal use over the entire reclaimed area, thus reducing their impact on vegetation establishment. Gully formation and sediment loss was significantly reduced in postmine drainageways when compared to pre-drainage reconstruction. In Coyote Gulch, for example, an esti- mated 99,400 cubic yards of sediment was lost to gully erosion and sheet and rill erosion from 1984-1987. Following treatment an estimated 1,360 cu yds of sediment is lost annually to sheet, rill and gully erosion. This is a reduction in the annual erosion rate of 24 times the pre-treatment erosion rates. Much of the success for the reduction in ero- sion rates must be attributed to the wide variety of erosion control materials, methods and sediment reducing measures that were used in reconstructing drainageways and adjacent reclaimed sideslopes. As a result of appropriate erosion control treatment in re-established postmine drainageways, Trapper Mine has not needed to clean a single sediment pond in four years. A net savings to Trapper Mine of $200,000 has been realized since drainage reconstruction was initiated and sedimentation pond cleaning ceased. The average cost for drainage reconstruction during the four year treatment period is $4.80 per linear foot (2.8 sq yds). Costs were based on an average 25-ft wide channel bottom and included all materials, equipment and labor. 3.8 Conclusions As a strategy for soil conservation planning, the promotion of vegetation in combination with natural and/or artificial erosion control measures, has much to offer. Vegetation is one factor that can be easily manipulated by careful management. Beyond that, better vegetative growth, by selecting plants that are well adapted to a particular climate or soil, will almost always provide direct economic benefits in terms of vegetation production, stability and reduced soil loss. The proper implementation of erosion control materials and sediment reducing mea- sures on reclaimed sideslopes, drainageways, and on regraded spoils are valuable in reducing peak water flows and sediment loads into drainages. Dozer basins are useful to trap and store sediment on newly stripped topsoil areas and on regraded spoils. Live- • stock water tanks are valuable as they trap water on reclaimed sideslopes, in drainage- ways, and reduce peak rates of flow at downstream locations, making available reliable water for wildlife and livestock use. Water harvesting diversions constructed across slopes are important to transport excessive water from areas that need protection to sites where water can be used or disposed of safely. Contour farming is essential to