We evaluated the potential of habitat restoration to improve stream and riparian habitat and to minimize the prevalence of whirling disease in a population of native cutthroat trout in northern Utah. We fenced 67 ha of riparian habitat to exclude livestock and measured key response variables at impact and control sites before and after the completion of the exclosure. Total N concentrations decreased in response to the exclusion. Over this short time period (1–2 y postrestoration), the combination of natural variability and exclusion of livestock grazing appeared to alter the vegetation and riparian conditions through increased bank stability and decreased % cover of exotic plant species...