Western Native Trout Initiative

Proposed Accomplishment Summary
Installing instream structures, cover logs, improving channel complexity and fish habitat in 1 mile of stream will help store sediment in restored stream reaches and reduce downstream sediment delivery. Pool construction will increase hyporheic exchange, reduce water temperature and improve habitat for Westslope cutthroat trout. Phase III is a part of a larger project to reduce sediment, improve fish passage, restore riparian function, reduce downstream flooding, and protect private property.

The importance to the Resource
Short Creek is an important spawning and rearing stream for Westslope cutthroat trout in the Coeur d’Alene River drainage. It is a tributary to Tepee creek which has become a highly valued recreational fisheries within the basin.

The problem
Past timber harvest and road construction have left unmaintained legacy roads which when they fail cause large sediment inputs and loss of pool habitat and channel complexity. The stream has been “cleaned“ of large wood to protect roads and culverts. Pools are limited and large wood loadings are low, providing limited habitat for native trout.

The method
This phase of the project will install structures to recreate stream step pools, which will, filter sediments creating spawning areas, and improve habitat improving rearing habitat.. Large woody debris will be installed to modify the hydrology that now consists of long straight runs, lacking pool and riffle structure.

Further description
This project is Phase III. In Phase I legacy roads will be removed in the headwaters of Short and Riley creeks. $20,000 will be coming from Idaho’s 319 program and $50,000 from the Forest Service. Phase II will be to replace an undersized culvert at the mouth that blocks fish passage for younger age class fish and completed by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game utilizing funds from the Office of Species Conservation. A total of $160,000 has been allocated to Phase II. The Forest Service has already contributed $20,000 for survey and design of the new bottomless arch culvert In Phase III the Forest Service has contributed $10,000 in design and layout of the structures and the hauling of logs to the Short creek site. The North Idaho Fly Casters will contribute $1,000 cash and over $5,000 in volunteer labor for riparian plantings. Phase IV will be the monitoring of the effectiveness of the project. The North Idaho Fly casters will contribute $5000 labor and the Forest Service will contribute labor and equipment for long term monitoring. We will seeking other grant opportunities in the future from other conservation organizations like Trout unlimited and the Federation Fly Fishers.