EAST FORK OF THE SALMON RIVER: PROJECTS

PAHSIMEROI RIVER: PROJECTS

LEMHI RIVER: PROJECTS

A map of the habitat conditions and priority actions for each watershed is available starting on page 42 of the Adobe Acrobat version of the Model Watershed Plan (begins on page 4-7 of paper copy). You need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this plan. Click here to download this viewer.

Projects have included grazing management systems, fencing projects, streambank stabilization, riparian vegetation plantings, and instream structure work. The Upper Salmon Basin Watershed Project, working with the Custer Soil and Water Conservation District and the Lemhi Soil and Water Conservation District, has completed 117 projects to date (as of 03/25/04). A summary of the projects is found in the table below (8 projects had both bank stabilization and fence components):

These projects include both riparian pasture and riparian enclosure systems, providing direct benefit to fish habitat by improving pool composition, stream shading, and reduction in sedimentation. The Upper Salmon Basin Watershed Project is hopeful that landowners in other subwatersheds will become involved in efforts similar to those ongoing in the areas mentioned.

EAST FORK OF THE SALMON RIVER WATERSHED

Habitat Conditions

• E. Fork Mouth to Herd Creek (13 miles)
  • Little historic fisheries use
  • Fish rearing habitat is limited
  • Good-to-excellent spawning gravels
  • Good streambank stability
• Herd Creek to Germania Creek (14.5 miles)
  • Currently used by anadromous and resident fish
• Good spawning habitat
• Approximately 70% of streambanks are stable

• Herd Creek (6 miles)
  • Good riparian cover on BLM land but riparian cover lacking on private land
• High sediment loads
• Irrigation diversions may be hindering migration
• Poor streambank stability in some areas

Highest Priority Actions

• Enhance and protect the riparian corridor along 3 miles of Herd Creek.
• Stabilize 10,000 feet of streambank in Herd Creek where the stream has widened.
• Improve irrigation diversions to allow water management and fish protection for all diversions in the East Fork drainage.

Title: East Fork Ten-Mile Project

This project addressed the priority streambank stability along 5 miles of prime spawning habitat on the East Fork. A combination of bank barbs and fencing was implemented to address the habitat conditions present.

East Fork flooding before project implementation, 1997.

The barbs effectively protect streambanks while natural vegetation (willows, sedges) take root, the fence protects the vegetation from grazing pressure while they get established. The idea is that the river still has access to its flood plain during high water to release energy, but when the flood recedes the streambank and pastures remain in place. Less erosion=less sediment=better spawning habitat.

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PAHSIMEROI RIVER WATERSHED (Conditions on page 51 of Adobe Acrobat version of plan)

Habitat Conditions

• Lower 3 miles are blocked to fish migration during summer months because of irrigation withdrawals.
• Poor streambank stability; 15-20% actively eroding.
• High sediment levels within spawning gravels.
• Primary riparian impacts are from livestock grazing and irrigation diversions.

Highest Priority Actions

• Substitute water diverted from Patterson-Big Springs Creek by pumping water from the Salmon River.
• Develop water conservation agreements to reduce levels of stream diversion.
• Maintain and enhance the riparian corridor along 17 miles of critical fish habitat in the reach from the river's mouth to Hooper Lane.
• Enhance 10 miles of riparian corridor in the Patterson-Big Springs reach through selective planting of trees and shrubs.
• Improve 12 irrigation diversions to provide stable diversion points and reduce erosion (Pahsimeroi mouth to Hooper Lane).

This fence (shown in photo below), was constructed in partnership with the Shoshone-Bannock Salmon Corps (temperature -35F).

Model Watershed Project and Shoshone Bannock Salmon Corp install jack fence, 1996.

Fencing project above Burstedt Lane (shown in photo below), showing the response of riparian vegetation. This enhanced riparian corridor will provide shade for the stream, cover for fish, a sediment buffer, and improved grazing management.

Riparian fence above Burstedt Lane.

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LEMHI RIVER WATERSHED (conditions on page 42 of Adobe Acrobat version of plan)

Habitat Conditions

• Lemhi Mouth to Agency Creek (27 miles)
  • Primarily a migration corridor
  • Limited spawning and rearing habitat; low water flows in summer limit spawning and rearing
  • High sediment levels within spawning gravels
  • Good streambank stability
• Agency Creek to Hayden Creek (11 miles)
  • Important rearing area for fish hatched in Hayden Creek
  • Limited spawning and rearing habitat
  • High sediment levels in spawning gravels
  • Good streambank stability
• Hayden Creek (15 miles)
  • Excellent spawning and rearing habitat in Bear Valley Creek
  • High water temperatures when water is diverted from the stream
• Hayden Creek to Leadore (28 miles)
  • Contains most of the currently occupied habitat
  • Primary impacts are from irrigation diversions
  • Spawning gravels are good
  • Only 70% of streambanks are stable, causing siltation problems
• Big Springs Creek (6.5 miles)
  • Rearing habitat is limited by lack of vegetative cover
  • Spawning habitat is poor and limited by sediment in gravels
  • Only 60% of streambanks are stable, causing siltation problems

Highest Priority Actions

• Implement the Bureau of Reclamation Water Conservation Project.
• Improve irrigation efficiency below diversion L-7.
• Maintain and enhance the riparian corridor along the upper 10 miles of the Hayden Creek-to-Leadore reach.
• Construct a fish ladder on the L-3 spill-way
• Improve irrigation diversions that currently pose migration problems in the lower Lemhi.
• Screen the remaining diversions above currently occupied habitat in Hayden Creek.
• Stabilize streambanks in the 10-mile section from the bridge near Leadore to the Eightmile Creek confluence.

This diversion structure (left photo) was a barrier to fish migration. Through the cooperative efforts of Model Watershed Project, Bureau of Reclamation, Bonneville Power, Lemhi Soil Water Conservation District and Idaho Fish & Game, this project created a win/win solution for the irrigator and migrating fish-opening up additional spawning and rearing habitat.

Left photo shows a pre-project irrigation diversion that creates a fish migration barrier on the Lemhi. After implementation of the project (right photo) the irrigator still has the ability to divert water and fish can migrate.

A chinook salmon creating a redd (nest) on Camas Creek.

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