The brook trout population of California Creek was low (40 percent of average) 

 when compared with other Mount Haggin streams. The relatively large size of 

 California Creek and the frequency of relatively deep pool habitat gave the 

 appearance of a stream capable of supporting larger populations of game fish. 

 Low numbers of trout in the study section may be related to sediment loading, 

 high arsenic or iron levels or bank instability due to intensive livestock 

 use. While present game fish populations in the section are low, it is 

 probable that California Creek has the potential to support much larger numbers 

 of fish. 



4. FLOW RECOMMENDATIONS , 



Cross-sectional data were collected in a 252 foot riffle-run sequence 

 located approximately at stream mile .15 (T2N, R12W, Sec IB). Five cross 

 sections were placed within this sequence. The WETP program was calibrated 

 to field data collected at discharges of 94.6, 43.1 and 14.0 cfs. 



The relationship between wetted perimeter and discharge for a composite 

 of three riffle cross sections is shown in Figure 4. Lower and upper inflection 

 points occur at 10 and 14 cfs. Based on an evaluation of the existing fishery, 

 recreational use, and contributing flow to the Big Hole River, a flow of 12 

 cfs is recommended for the low flow period (July 1 - April 30). Due to a 

 lack of long term flow data, recommendations for the high flow period 

 (May 1 - June 30) cannot be derived for California Creek. 



38 



