1 . STREAM 

 Sixmile Creek 



2. DESCRIPTION 



Sixmile Creek originates on the east slope of the Anaconda-Pintlar 

 range at the Continental Divide. The stream flows in a southerly direction 

 for approximately 3.0 miles to its confluence with California Creek and has 

 no major tributaries. The 4.2 square mile drainage is characterized by 

 high open south facing slopes bearing little coniferous growth. The stream 

 drops rapidly through a narrow floodplain and is bordered by a narrow 

 riparian zone containing willow, alder, aspen, grasses and sedges. The 

 average gradient of the 6.3 foot wide channel is 44.1 feet per thousand 

 feet. Ownership of the drainage is controlled by the MDFIJP. 



Lands within the drainage are utilized for recreational hunting, 

 fishing, and snowinobil ing. No estimate of fishing pressure is available 

 for Sixmile Creek; however, some fishermen use was observed. Past commercial 

 uses of the drainage include timber harvest, livestock grazing and diversion 

 of water to the McCune flume for timber transport and to the Home Ranch for 

 irrigation. Sixmile Creek flows through the Mule Ranch, an important his- 

 torical site in the development of sheep husbandry in the area. Present 

 commercial use of the drainage is confined to livestock grazing. 



Water chemistry samples were collected from Sixmile Creek during the 

 summer of 1980. Sample analyses revealed that Sixmile Creek is a calcium- 

 magnesium-bicarbonate water of moderately alkaline pH. Specific conductance, 

 hardness, alkalinity and concentrations of dissolved ions were higher than 

 average for Mount Haggin streams. Water quality v/as generally good, although 

 a slight elevation in arsenic was noted. The source of the arsenic is believed 

 to be precipitates from the Anaconda Smelter. The lower reaches of Sixmile 

 Creek exhibit eroded streambanks from past livestock grazing. Areas of channel 

 instability exist in the vicinity of the Mule Ranch. 



3. FISHERIES 



A 1,000 foot section of Sixmile Creek was electrofished on August 7 

 and August 26, 1980. Game fish captured in descending order of abundance 

 were brook trout, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and rainbow X cutthroat 

 hybrid trout. The mottled sculpin was the only nongame species collected. 

 Electrofishing survey data are presented in Table 20. 



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