increased in 2005. Drought, whirling disease, low summer flows and warm summer 

 temperatures are suspected contributors to this static trend. 



Fish population surveys at mile 6.8 show two years (2003 and 2004) of pre- 

 restoration monitoring and one year (2005) of post -restoration monitoring. These surveys 

 reveal very low densities of fish. This reach is subject to chronic dewatering, fish 

 passage barriers and livestock degradation of the stream. Other monitoring of this 

 project involves a post-project habitat survey (Table 5). During the survey, we identified 

 an incision over a 4000' segment of the new "E" channel. Incision related to a faulty 

 design, compounded by insufficient grade control. A reentry into the project in spring 

 2006 elevated the new channel to its proper elevation within the floodplain. 



The mile 8.2 monitoring site dates to 1 995 when it was established to monitor fish 

 population response to upcoming riparian grazing project. Here, survey results show a 

 significant increase in the densities of brook trout and WSCT. During this period of 

 recovery brought on by grazing exclusion, the stream has evolved fi-om an F-type channel 

 to a more stable E-type channel. 



We continue to observe suspected clinical signs of whirling disease (opercular 

 deformities) in a high percentage of sampled brook trout throughout Warren Creek. 



FWP measured the post-restoration discharge (mile 6.7, Murphy ranch) on 

 Warren Creek in September recording above diversion 2.06 cfs and below diversion 1.24 

 cfs. ■ - '■ --■-■ - 



^ ' ' -i^^--: ^ 



Wasson Creek 



Restoration Objectives: Restore channel maintenance flows; restore migration corridors 



in lower Wasson Creek in order to provide significant downstream recruitment; restore 



channel conditions to 



support spawning and 



rearing conditions in 



lower Wasson Creek; 



prevent fish losses to 



irrigation ditches; prevent 



the introduction of 



unwanted fish into the 



drainage; provide 



periodic flushing flows to 



Nevada Spring Creek 



Project Summary 



Wasson Creek is a 

 small 2"** order basin-fed 

 tributary to Nevada 

 Spring Creek. Wasson 

 Creek begins on the 

 Helena National Forest, 



Figure 44. Monthly maximum, mean and minimum 

 water temperatures for two sections of Wasson Creek, 

 2004 and 2005 (data from Don Peters). 



85 



75 



it 65 



o. 

 E 



0) 



55 



45 



35 



MUe OA 



MUelJ 



-^ — < — r— t- 



MUe 0.1 



H — i \ — i — f- 



MUelJ 



I I i I 



,-«>'''• ,4^»'- v>^tw v>^i# 



4-^ 



f^ 



v^^ 



^^ 



Summer 2004 Summer 2005 



before entering private ranchland at stream mile 3.8. Wasson Creek enters Nevada 

 Spring Creek ~100' below the spring source, bringing a base flow of ~one cfs during the 

 non-irrigation season. Wasson Creek has a long history of fisheries problems that include 



54 



