Trail Creek Fish Passage:
More Miles. More Fish
BY CONNECTING TRAIL CREEK TO THE BIG WOOD RIVER, WE COULD OPEN UP X MILES OF HABITAT CRUCIAL TO GROWING BLUE RIBBON TROUT
PROBLEMS AND LIMITING FACTORS AND HISTORY
The Colorado Gulch (COG) river restoration project offered a unique opportunity to enhance floodplain habitat and reconnect 1,200 feet of historic side channels by removing approximately 1,300 cubic yards (cy) of rip-rap and artificial fill that historically protected the COG road and bridge. The main limiting factor for salmonid habitat on the Big Wood River (BWR) has been successfully addressed through the reconnection of its floodplain. This strategic initiative now allows the river to naturally create complex habitat and provides crucial access to rearing areas during high flow events.
Disconnection has occurred due to development of homes and other infrastructure that reduced the BWR from an anastomosing channel form to a single channel form for the majority of the river.
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Disconnection of historic side channels have reduced rearing and spawning habitat which has led to decreased survival and productivity of salmonid populations in the BWR.
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Removal of the rip-rap will also allow us to construct large woody debris structures to enhance complex salmonid habitat, and provide cover by enhancing riparian habitat.
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This project is a great example of how we can reverse decades of bad practices such as channelization, bank hardening, and disconnecting habitats through infrastructure, and enhance salmonid habitat and recreational access.
PROJECT GOALS & BENEFITS
Below is a summary of benefits if fish passage is provided above Sun Valley Lake Dam:
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Modification of fish passage barriers can be designed to reduce maintenance costs
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Opportunity to create eco-tourism at Sun Valley Dam site and increase revenue during non-peak tourism season
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Increase abundance and size of Rainbow trout in the Big Wood River and Trail Creek Basins
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Increase spawning and rearing habitat for Rainbow trout by providing access to critical habitats, including rare beaver dam pond complexes in Trail and Corral Creek
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Increased survival of juvenile Rainbow trout, which leads to increases forage for adult size fish and other wildlife
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Increased size and abundance of Rainbow trout will increase fishing opportunities for tourists throughout the fishing season