Timothy Creek historically provided critical spawning and rearing habitat for migratory Yellowstone cutthroat trout from the Blackfoot River and supported a robust resident population. However, redd counts in recent years show a drastic decline in spawning use by Yellowstone cutthroat trout.  One of the suggested explanations for the decline is habitat degradation in the Timothy Creek stream channel between Diamond Creek and the National Forest Boundary. Not only is spawning habitat now limited in this section, but an artificial stream split at a historical diversion site now dewaters the main channel and limits its function as a migration corridor to access quality spawning and rearing habitat upstream. Partnering with landowner Bear Lake Grazing Company, UBC will take restoration actions to address these impacts.

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Objectives

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1. Reconsolidate Timothy Creek into a single channel by repairing a channel avulsion at an historical diversion site.

   1. Install a plug at the channel avulsion to re-route 100% of stream flow back to the historical channel.

   2. Relocate willows and other riparian woody plants from the diversion channel to denuded areas along historical channel.

2. Facilitate fish passage and improve instream habitat and water quality (i.e. stream temperature) for migratory and resident Yellowstone cutthroat trout by returning 100% of available streamflow to the historical channel.

3. Continue to monitor stream temperatures above and below the restoration site.

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Planning

 

Partnering with landowner Bear Lake Grazing Company, UBC will fund the implementation of the Timothy Creek project with additional funding and in-kind contributions from Trout Unlimited.

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Project Partners

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Partnering with landowner Bear Lake Grazing Company, UBC will fund the implementation of the Timothy Creek project with additional funding and in-kind contributions from Trout Unlimited.