Density 



Year 



Figure 31. Estimated total brown trout densities for Nevada 

 Snrine Creek at mile 3.0. 2000-200.1. 



Water temperature monitoring in the upper 1.6 miles of reconstructed channel 

 recorded large temperature declines at two monitoring locations (mile 2.6 and 1 .6) below 

 the spring source (Figure 29). Maximum summer temperatures (June through September) 

 declined 9.6 ° F (62.8 " 53.2^ at mile 2.5 and 16.5 ° F (78.7 " 62.2) at mile 1 .6 (Appendix I). 

 Water temperatures near the mouth of Nevada Spring Creek continued to record elevated 

 temperatures in 2003 similar to 2001, but should begin to cool in 2004 following the 

 reconstruction of lower Nevada Spring Creek. 



Fish population 



surveys at upper Nevada 

 Spring Creek (mile 3.0) in 

 2003, one-year post channel 

 reconstruction, recorded a 

 increase in brown trout 

 densities compared with 

 previous samples (Figure 31). 

 The survey revealed higher 

 densities of all year classes, 

 particularly YOY indicating 

 successful reproduction in the 

 new channel. We also 

 captured one WSCT YOY in 

 the sample. WTiirling disease 

 monitoring (2002 and 2003) has not yet detected the parasite Myxobolus cerebralis in 

 Nevada Spring Creek. 



North Fork Blackfoot River 



Restoration objectives: eliminate the loss of bull trout and WSCT to irrigation canals; 

 manage riparian areas to protect habitat for native fish; improve recruitment of native fish 

 to the Blackfoot River. 



Project Summary 



The North Fork of the Blackfoot. named the Salmontrout Fork of the Blackfoot 

 River by early settlers, is the largest tributary to the Blackfoot River, with headwaters 

 draining the Scapegoat Wilderness. Upon exiting the mountains near rm 12, the North 

 Fork enters Kleinschmidt Flat, a large glacial outwash plain before entering the middle 

 Blackfoot River at rm 54. Five irrigation canals, located on the Flat between mile 8.8 and 

 15.3, divert an estimated 40-60 cfs from the North Fork. In addition, this reach of the 

 North Fork loses water to natural seepage. 



The North Fork is a primary fluvial bull trout-spawning stream for the Blackfoot 

 River. Bull trout recovery and related core area fisheries conservation projects involve 

 developing compatible riparian grazing systems and eliminating fish entrainment on five 

 canals. More recently, the North Fork restoration project evolved into a more holistic 

 approach, enrolling landowners in conservation easement programs, incorporating water 

 conservation measures in leaky ditches, and restoring habitat conditions to five impaired 

 tributaries (Spring, Rock, Kleinschmidt, Dry and Salmon Creeks). In 2002 and 2003, the 



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