3 



Trout abundance in some of the relatively unaltered parts of Bozeman 

 Creek compared favorably with that in the more densely populated small 

 trout streams of the same geographic area. 



The results suggest that trout abundance can be maintained in streams 

 flowing through areas under urban development if the natural form and 

 vegetation of the stream banks and stream bed are not altered in the ways 

 commonly associated with urbanization. If urban changes in land form 

 are kept well away from the immediate riparian area, the natural channel 

 shape and its natural accumulations of living and dead vegetation will 

 furnish cover for substantial populations of trout. It is especially 

 important not to straighten channels , not to remove certain kinds of bank 

 vegetation (such as high grass and low brush), and not to conduct excessive 

 removal of downed logs and other woody debris from stream channels. 



Much could be done to increase trout abundance in physically damaged 

 urban streams by restoring channel form and vegetation to resemble the 

 natural situation. Even in parts of streams that remain unaltered, habitat 

 may often be enhanced and trout populations increased by creating more 

 instream cover for trout than presently exists. 



