A joint project that has been in the works for over a decade will eliminate final impediment to native fish migration in Spread Creek in Wyoming.
Diana Miller, fisheries biologist with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, said the measure would help fish from the Snake River make their way into Spread Creek.
“It has been exciting to see Spread Creek being utilized by fish from the Snake River. Not only have we documented movement of Snake River Cutthroat Trout into Spread Creek, but also other native species like Bluehead Sucker, which are a species of concern in Wyoming. Unfortunately, along with this upstream movement, we have seen both juvenile and adult fish become trapped in the Spread Creek ditch system and we are looking forward to the installation of the fish screen to eliminate this fish loss,” Miller said in a press release.
Phase I of the Spread Creek Fish Passage Project involves the fitting of a fish screen to help native fish, renovation of a diversion structure for long-term stability and an improved fish channel, along with the addition of instream structures to protect banks, channel and irrigation infrastructure within the project region.
“Spread Creek is a vital part of the Snake River headwaters ecosystem, and we are committed to protecting the iconic and important fisheries across agency and jurisdictional boundaries," Chip Jenkins, Grand Teton National Park superintendent said. "This project is the culmination of over a decade of effort to remove a dam and restore this significant fishery, while maintaining water supply for local irrigators. Through resounding multi-agency and partner support and collaboration, we’re continuing to progress towards and ultimately achieve this lofty goal.”
The project is aligned with Trout Unlimited's Snake River Headwaters Home Rivers program, which seeks to reestablish and safeguard the headwaters of the upper Snake River and its fishery, in partnership with a varied group of community, landowner and agency partners.
