SILVER CREEK WEIR REMOVAL PROJECT: RESTORING FISH PASSAGE
The Silver Creek Weir Removal Project will restore fish access to several miles of channels in the Silver Creek drainage, tributary to the Middle Fork Payette
River watershed.
In the summer of 2002 the Ted Trueblood Chapter will work with the Boise National Forest to remove seven research
structures within the Silver Creek watershed and provide additional habitat to bull trout and other native fishes. This
project will complement other significant restoration efforts that have been implemented within the Silver Creek area
that have resulted from heavy recreation use and other research activities.
Silver Creek is a tributary to the Middle Fork of the Payette River. The area is a destination watershed for southwestern
Idaho residents and contains a hot springs resort and numerous other recreation opportunities. The popularity of the
watershed has resulted in riparian and stream habitat degradation.
Silver Creek was also the site for numerous research projects, in the 1950's through the 1980's, which examined
responses in vegetation, soil and hydrologic function to road construction and timber management. The results of this
research are now used in vegetation management activities throughout the northwest.
The researchers are for the most part retired, and they made a significant contribution to improvements in land management.
Yet the research facilities remain left behind. The last step remains, and that is the removal of the weirs and associated facilities.
The research stations were established on seven tributaries to Silver Creek: (Control Creek, Cabin Creek, No Name
Creek, Ditch Creek, Eggers Creek, Dee Creek, and Cee Creek) to monitor effects on streams by the various research
activities. Each station contains a weir, flume, and small structure that housed the monitoring equipment. The
structures now serve as large sediment traps and present a barrier to previously occupied fish habitat. Silver Creek
provides habitat to Federally listed bull trout and the structures have prevented access upstream since their
construction.
The Emmett Ranger District has contributed over $300,000 in restoration funds over the last four years that include;
dispersed road and camping improvements, campsite developments, stream and bank restoration, riparian
re-vegetation, trail developments, recreation fishing structures, education signs, restrooms, and horse facilities.
Numerous groups have donated their time and energy to restoring the riparian and aquatic habitat conditions.
This project proposes to remove the seven research stations. This project would result in approximately 3.5 acres of
soil/watershed improvements and about 3 miles of fish habitat restoration. The Rocky Mountain Research Station has
consented to removal of the stations and offered consultation assistance during project implementation.
The Ted Trueblood Chapter of Trout Unlimited has assisted with several projects within Silver Creek over the years.
They have contributed numerous volunteer hours in stream and riparian restoration throughout the Silver Creek
watershed. The Chapter is enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute more time and energy to the aquatic
restoration effort, while expanding habitat for a Federally listed species.
This project is culmination of several years of effort and thousands of hours of volunteer labor in the improvement of
riparian and aquatic habitat conditions within Silver Creek.
Questions or comments send to:
tutedtrue@aol.com
Ted Trueblood Chapter Idaho Trout Umlimited
