the condition of a historical fluvial WSCT spawning site. 



Project Summary 



Pearson Creek is a small tributary to Chamberlain Creek with a base-flow of 

 approximately one cfs. Pearson Creek has a history of channel alterations, and adverse 

 irrigation and riparian land management (grazing and timber harvest) practices in its 

 lower two-miles of channel. Beginning in 1 994, Pearson Creek has been the focus of a 

 holistic restoration project involving channel reconstruction and instream habitat work, 

 instream flow enhancement (water leasing), conservation easements and riparian grazing 

 changes. Additional riparian grazing improvements are planned for lower Pearson Creek 

 for 2006. 



Fish Populations 



Pearson Creek is a fluvial WSCT spawning stream. In 2004 and 2005, we 

 continued fish population surveys at the site (mile 1.1) established in 1999 prior to a 2000 

 habitat restoration project (Figure 37). We also established in 2005 a new pre-project 

 fish population survey section at mile 0.5. The new site recorded a WSCT catch of 

 6.0/100' compared to 29.4/100' at mile 1.1 (Appendix A). This site was totally 

 dewatered prior to 1996 water lease; it will be used to measure the future influence of 

 grazing changes to WSCT. 



Poor man Creek >' ■• - ^'- i-; &.' ' '* 



Restoration objectives: Improve riparian habitat conditions and enhance instream flows; 

 eliminate fish losses to irrigation ditches; restore migration corridors; improve 

 recruitment of native fish to the Blackfoot River. 



Project Summary 



Poorman Creek is one of the larger tributaries entering the Blackfoot River fi-om 

 the Garnet Mountains, entering at river mile 108.0. Poorman Creek is an impaired stream 

 adversely influenced by hard rock and placer mining, channel alterations, poorly 

 designed road crossings, excessive livestock grazing and irrigation dewatering. Poorman 

 Creek also supports a naturally intermittent section of stream near the mouth. In 1999, 

 we assessed fish populations and habitat conditions on lower Poorman Creek. These 

 surveys identified irrigation dewatering, fish losses to ditches, channel instability and 

 excessive riparian grazing pressure in the lower two miles of stream. The problems these 

 surveys identified helped set the stage for a comprehensive restoration project for lower 

 Poorman Creek beginning in 2002. Restoration projects involve the conversion of flood 

 to pivot irrigation (consolidation of two ditches to a single pipe), screening of the intake, 

 instream flow enhancement, the replacement of two culverts with bridges and riparian 

 grazing changes. Grazing changes involve corridor fencing (FSA continuous 

 conservation reserve program), off-stream water developments and shrub plantings - all 

 of which continued in 2005. Upstream culvert replacements were also completed on the 

 Stemple Pass road through the combined assistance of the Blackfoot Cooperators. 



Fish Populations and other monitoring 



41^' 



