averaqe of 1288 umhos/cm at Station 84, to an average of 1922 umhos/cm 

 at Station 1. Turbidities were generally low for a prairie stream 

 reflecting local runoff as a result of storms. The pH ranged from 6.9 

 to 8.5 while dissolved oxygen levels were considered good. Chemical 

 features of the tributaries were similar to those of the main stem. 

 The Yellowstone tributaries showed similar water chemistries except 

 alkal initios which were considerably higher. 



Five day average maximum and minimum water temperatures for April - 

 September, 1977 and 1978 are summarized in Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9. 

 Temperatures exhibited the same general trends with peaks in May and 

 August. The August peak being the yearly maximum. Temperatures declined 

 steadily through late August and September, Maximum temperatures 

 recorded in 1978 were: Section 1 (mouth) 24.3°C; Section 54, 25.0°C; 

 and Section 84, 26. 2^0. 



Stream Habitat Analysis 



Stream habitat conditions were measured at 5 Beaver Creek stations, 

 2 stations on Little Beaver Creek and 7 lower Yellowstone tributary 

 stations. On Beaver Creek, riffles averaged 10.3 cm in depth as compared 

 to 57.4 cm for pools (Table 2). Widths averaged 3.0 m for riffles and 

 9.3 m for pools. Habitat conditions were analyzed in terms of optimum 

 conditions for pool frequency, pool quality, substrate materials, bank 

 cover and bank stability as outlined in BLM manual 6671 (Duff and Cooper 

 1976). These parameters are considered "priority A limiting factors." 

 Pool riffle ratios of 50:50 is considered ideal or optimum. Each pool 

 is rated in terms of width, depth and fish shelter and class 1 , 2 or 3 

 pools are considered good quality pools. Substrate materials are 

 important in terms of fish spawning and aquatic invertebrate production. 

 The amount of each type of substrate material is determined and a ratio 

 of suitable:unsuitable is calculated. Judgements are made concerning 

 bank cover and bank stability. Points are given on each transect, 

 totaled and divided by the total possible to determine the class for the 

 stream reach. Points are totaled, divided by total possible and the 

 percent of optimum obtained. Optimum is considered ideal habitat or 

 100 percent 



All sections measured on 

 ranging between 60 and 85 perc 

 was Beaver 59 with a value of 

 bank stability was considered 

 damage. This reach of stream 

 The results of the Beaver Cree 

 conditions on the stream are a 

 Beaver Creek had significantly 



Beaver Creek showed habitat conditions 

 ent of optimum. The best habitat rating 

 34.7 percent of optimum. Bank cover and 

 excellent and showed very little ungulate 

 appeared to be \/ery stable and in good shape, 

 k habitat analysis suggests that physical 

 bove average (50% of optimum). Little 

 lower habitat conditions than Beaver Creek. 



Tributary stream results are shown in Table 3. The best habitat 

 conditions were found on Glendive Creek at Station 14 at 93.7 percent of 



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