minimum flows required below the dam. Low flows reduce the 

 otherwise reasonably good aesthetic qualities of the stream. 



Flint Creek Project (East Fork Reservoir) . The Flint 

 Creek Project is located on the East Fork of Rock Creek 20 

 miles southwest of Philipsburg in Granite County. East Fork 

 Reservoir is a somewhat isolated lake, receiving only 

 moderate recreational use. The fishery consists primarily of 

 rainbow trout stocked annually. However, there is a small 

 bull trout population that reproduces naturally in the East 

 Fork above the reservoir. These fish do occur in the 

 fisherman's catch. Fluctuation in water level limits fishery 

 production, and the aesthetics are not good during late 

 season drawdowns. It is, however, a rather scenic lake at 

 full pool. 



The project diverts water from the Rock Creek drainage. 

 Without the project, this water would be available for the 

 main Rock Creek "Blue Ribbon" trout fishery. The impacts of 

 this loss of flow on Rock Creek have not been quantified. 



Flint Creek receives some benefit from irrigation return 

 flows. Leaky delivery canals in the Flint Creek Valley also 

 contribute East Fork water to Flint Creek. However, the 

 return flows are reused along Flint Creek. Flint Creek 

 suffers from dewatering, siltation from streambank erosion, 

 and higher-than-desirable water temperatures in the lower 

 reaches . 



The fishery in Flint Creek is composed primarily of 

 rainbow and brook trout in the upper reach and mostly brown 

 trout below Maxville. It is a popular fishery but has 

 limitations due to the environmental Qonsequences of land 

 uses and irrigation. The stream flows through a scenic 

 agricultural valley. Low flows due to irrigation withdrawals 

 reduce the aesthetic qualities in some reaches. The DFWP has 

 applied for an instream flow reservation in Flint Creek from 

 the dam on Georgetown Lake to the mouth. However, this alone 

 will only preseirve the status quo of the current low-flow 

 conditions. 



Painted Rocks Lake . Painted Rocks Lake is located on 

 the west fork of the Bitterroot River about 30 miles south of 

 Darby in Ravalli County. Stored water purchased by the DFWP 

 is used to improve low streamflows in the Bitterroot River. 

 Extensive irrigation in this major river valley depletes 

 natural flows and in most years causes the stream to go 

 nearly dry at Bell Crossing near Stevensville. 



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