u 



w 



c 



generates the majority of flow to lower Rock Creek during base flow periods. Additional 

 projects included constructed floodplain for an adjacent ~3,000'an over-widened stream 

 between mile three and four. These projects also employed shrub plantings and grazing 

 changes with fencing and off-stream water developments. Active restoration is now 

 completed over the entire 8.2-mile length of Rock Creek and its primary tributary, the 

 South Fork of Rock Creek. Recovery of riparian areas, including plant communities, is 

 expected to take several years. 



Fish Populations ..... 



Rock Creek supports spawning migrations of brown trout and rainbow trout in 

 lower reaches, and brook trout throughout the length of the stream. Middle reaches 

 provide bull trout rearing and fluvial migration corridors to small headwater populations 

 of WSCT. In 2002, we continued to survey fish populations in a section (mile 1 .6) of 

 stream . ' ' , p v 



reconstructed in 

 1999. Survey 



results show a 

 continued increase 

 in trout densities 

 and a community 

 dominated by 



brown trout (Figure 

 39). Prior to 



restoration this 



section of Rock 

 Creek was brook 

 trout dominated. 

 Bull trout and 

 rainbow trout also periodically utilize this portion of Rock Creek in low abundance. 



Snowbank Creek 



Restoration objectives for Snowbank Creek are not yet defined 

 Description 



Snowbank Creek is a 1^' order tributary flowing 4.4 miles through the Helena 

 National Forest and enters Copper Creek at mile 5.9. Snowbank Creek was identified as 

 fisheries impaired in 2003 during an assessment of a defiinct diversion at mile 0.4. The 

 Snowbank diversion was constructed in 1962 to divert water to create a. put-and-take 

 fishery at Snowbank Lake (FWP files; Pierce et al 2004). Identified fisheries 

 impairments in lower Snowbank Creek include: 1) native fish entrainment fi-om a 

 diversion to Snowbank Lake; 2) fish passage problems at the diversion and a culvert near 

 the mouth; and 3) dewatering below the diversion. There is also no legitimate water right 

 allowing the legal use of Snowbank Creek water for Snowbank Lake. 



Fish Populations and other monitoring 



In August 2004 and 2005, we continued fish population surveys immediately 

 above and below the diversion located at mile 0.4 at two sections established in 2003 



2001 



2002 



2003 



2004 



2005 



Figure 39. Densities of age 1+ brown trout in Rock 

 Creek at mile 1.6, 2001-2005. 



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