Canyon Creek

Damaged exclosure fence- water gap lower end Canyon Creek below OW Bridge

Project proposal:
Using a private company on state contract, repair damaged water gaps and areas of the perimeter fence in the existing elk/livestock exclosure directly below the OW Bridge in Canyon Creek.

Background:
The US Forest Service originally constructed the ¼ mile ungulate exclosure that lies immediately below the OW Bridge in Canyon Creek in 2000 at a cost of $11,600 to prevent elk and cattle grazing within the riparian corridor. The project utilized partnerships between the Department, US Forest Service, and the cattle allotment permittee (Ed Delph). This exclosure was put in place to encourage the development of woody vegetation (i.e. willow, cottonwoods, etc.) along the stream, thereby providing shade protection and streamside aquatic habitat for resident sport and native fishes. Severe flooding from the watershed affected by the Rodeo-Chedeski fire in July 2002 damaged the fence. The exclosure was repaired in late 2002, but the water gaps across Canyon Creek at the upper and lower ends were again laid down (damaged thus allowing ongoing elk utilization on riparian vegetation) after monsoon storm run-off during the summer of 2003. The US Forest Service currently does not have the manpower or time to repair the fence this year.

Project Details:
Term of the work (start and end) should commence as soon as possible in April-May (vegetative growing season) to prevent grazing on new growth of woody plant species. The work sites are the two water gaps in the exclosure fence (upper and lower ends) immediately below the OW Bridge in Canyon Creek. Currently Hopkins Fence Company has placed a bid with the Department to do the work (2 days) for $1500-$2000 depending on the number of sites compromised in the perimeter fence in addition to the crossing water gaps. Reconstruction will utilize an improved design that will allow the water gaps to breakaway during high runoff periods therefore allowing easy reconstruction. When complete, the exclosure fence will prevent grazing by elk and cattle upon woody plant species growing creek side.

Project Benefits:
By allowing growth of riparian woody plant species (willows, cottonwoods, alders, etc.) stream aquatic habitats will be shaded therefore keeping water temperatures within tolerances for resident trout and native sucker and dace fish species. In-stream growth of watercress and other emergent vegetation will also be protected, providing instream cover for juvenile as well as adult resident sportfish species. Increased vigor and density of riparian vegetation will help to stabilize the stream channel and improve resilience to flood flows, which have been greatly magnified by degraded watershed conditions from the Rodeo-Chediski fire.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The objective of our survey was to assess current fish populations in Canyon Creek one year after scouring floods impacted the stream as a result of the Rodeo-Chediski fire. AGFD personnel used a Smith-Root model 12B POW backpacker shocker to stun and collect fish. Sample sites were selected by habitat type for each of the 7 reaches (divisions established in 1987) from the springhead to the Reservation boundary. One pool, riffle and run were selected in each reach.

Steam habitat surveys were conducted concurrent to the fish surveys using assessment measurements (i.e. Embeddedness, in-stream cover, total number and quality of pools, etc.) tied to the Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) for brown trout.

Survey comparisons were made to the last complete fish survey conducted at Canyon Creek in July 1998. Rainbow trout densities were slightly down from '98 overall, as was brown trout densities (down ten-fold). Speckled dace densities were nearly the same as in '98, but desert sucker densities were less by six fold.

Rainbow trout were found in immediate vicinity of hatchery, probably escapees although the stream has not been stocked for one year. Brown trout were also confined to the upper reaches, however only 7 were collected (4 sub-adults, 3 adults). Speckled dace began showing up in Reach 2 and had a continued presence throughout all reaches downstream as numerous young-of-the-year fish were observed. Desert suckers began showing up in Reach 2 and were found to some degree in Reaches 3, 6 and 7 downstream. Again numerous young-of-the-year were observed in the same reaches.

Specked dace were most abundant or dense in runs, as were desert suckers.

Where we found adult (>1 year old) dace and suckers, we found an abundance of newly hatched fish (Reaches 2-7) - proportions averaged 70% dace and 30% suckers.

Scouring floods resulting from run-off after the Rodeo-Chediski fire have severally impacted trout populations within all reaches of Canyon Creek. Although the summer put-and-take rainbow trout fishery program could continue when public access is restored, a viable reproducing brown trout fishery is not currently possible. Habitat requirements and food resources continue to be insufficient as borne out in habitat assessment surveys conducted concurrent to this fish survey. Daily water temperatures climb quickly as there is minimal overstory canopy to shade the stream. Upcoming prescriptions for riparian habitat enhancement through coordination with the US Forest Service for ungulate exclosures and instream habitat work should allow for a future reproducing brown trout fishery and a "Blue Ribbon" designation in years to come.

Recommendations included annual fish surveys to document fish abundance, distribution and recruitment, and stocking rainbow trout when public access is again allowed within the upper Canyon Creek area. Also recommended were fall season habitat surveys for potential and existing brown trout spawning sites, continued working with the US Forest Service to implement streamside vegetation development practices and securing temperature loggers in November, 2003 to download information and reinstallation in early spring (March - 2004) to document second season temperature variations.