temperatures, McCabe Creek likely supported bull trout historically. In 1999, prior to 

 habitat restoration, we established a fish population survey section in a degraded section 

 of stream (mile 2.2), an area of low habitat complexity and chronic low flows. Following 

 the initial surveys, we screened the upper diversion, enhanced stream flows by 3-5 cfs and 

 improved habitat in the survey reach by adding LWD to the channel. We also 

 implemented grazing changes and developed off-stream livestock water. 



In 2003, WSCT (> 4.0") continued to show a positive response three years post- 

 project (Figure 27). Less encouraging, our monitoring is also showing a proportional 

 increase in brook trout at the monitoring site. 



Monture Creek 



Restoration objectives: restore habitat for spawning and rearing bull trout and WSCT; 

 improve recruitment of bull trout and WSCT to the Blackfoot River; improve staging 

 areas and thermal refugia for fluvial bull trout. 



Project Summary 



Monture Creek, a large tributary to the middle Blackfoot River, is a primary 

 spawning and rearing tributary for fluvial bull trout and fluvial WSCT. Monture Creek 

 also serves as thermal refugia for fluvial bull trout during periods of Blackfoot River 

 warming. Reproduction of WSCT and bull trout occurs primarily in the mid-to-upper 

 basin. Fluvial rainbow trout and brown trout inhabit the lower portions of the drainage. 

 Brook trout are found throughout the drainage. 



Riparian areas in the mid-to-lower reaches of Monture Creek have a long history 

 of riparian timber harvest and improper grazing practices, with resulting adverse impacts 

 to native fish habitat. Furthermore, all lower tributaries, from Dunham Creek 

 downstream, were likewise identified as fisheries-impaired. Many identified problems 

 were corrected through a decade of cooperative restoration activities (Pierce et al. 1997; 

 Pierce et al. 2001), which contributed to improving the health of Monture Creek. 



Fish Populations and other 

 monitoring 



Monitoring for 2002 

 and 2003 period included: 1) 

 bull trout redd counts; 2) 

 assessments of juvenile 

 abundance at long-term 

 monitoring stations; 3) water 

 temperature monitoring; and 

 4) continued whirling disease 

 studies. 



Bull trout redd counts 

 have been upward trending 

 since restrictive angling 

 regulations were enacted in 

 1990. In 2002 and 2003 bull 



Catch/100' stream 



0.4 



2.2 5.4 8.6 12.9 



Location (stream mileage) 



Figure 28. CPUE for bull trout captured at five locations on 

 Monture Creek, 1989, 1994, 1998, 2000 and 2002. 



43 



