management practices in its lower two-miles of channel. The Pearson Creek restoration 

 effort included conservation easements, water leasing, channel reconstruction, riparian 

 habitat restoration and improved riparian grazing management. 



Fish Populations 



In September 2002 and 2003, we re-sampled WSCT in lower Pearson Creek (mile 

 1.1) in a stream reach influenced by a water lease and related riparian improvements 

 (riparian fencing and habitat restoration). Between these sampling periods, we found a 

 large increase in WSCT densities following changes to a more sensitive riparian grazing 

 methods (Figure 32). 



Poorman Creek 



Restoration objectives: improve riparian habitat conditions and enhance instream flows; 

 eliminate fish losses to irrigation ditches; restore migration corridors; improve 

 recruitment of native fish to the Blackfoot River. 



Project Summary 



Poorman Creek is one of the larger tributaries entering the Blackfoot River from 

 the Garnet Mountains, entering at river mile 108.0. In 1999, we assessed fish populations 

 and habitat conditions on lower Poorman Creek. These surveys identified fish loss to 

 ditches, and extensive habitat problems in the lower two miles of stream. These initial 

 surveys help set the stage for a comprehensive restoration project. This project involves 

 the conversion of flood to pivot irrigation (consolidation of two ditches to a single pipe), 

 screening of the intake, instream flow enhancement and riparian grazing changes. 

 Grazing changes involve corridor fencing (FSA continuous conservation reserve 

 program), off-stream water developments, shrub planting, the removal of two culverts, 

 and the construction of three bridges. This combined project should be completed in 

 2004. 



Fish Populations 



Poorman Creek supports 

 populations of WSCT, brown trout, 

 and brook trout, and is one of only 

 two known Garnet Mountains 

 stream to support bull trout 

 reproduction. In 2001, we 



established fish population 

 monitoring sites immediately 

 upstream and downstream of the 

 irrigation project. In 2003, we 

 repeated the surveys in order to 

 develop a better pre-project 

 baseline for the irrigation project. 

 Findings in 2003 were similar to 

 2001, with large declines in trout 



Catch/1 00* 



G Brook trout 

 Q Brown trout 

 ■ WSCT 



13 1.6 



Location (stream mile) 



Figure 33. CPUE for salmonids above and below two 

 diversions on Poorman Creek, August 2003. 



48 



