Laserfiche WebLink
was likely the case for the Bonneville cutthroat population in Birch Creek, <br />Beaver County, Utah. <br />Population Dynamics <br />During recent studies on cutthroat trout in Birch and Trout creeks, popula- <br />tion estimates were made to determine standing crops and biomass in these <br />small streams. Sampling areas on Birch Creek consisted of four sections, each <br />covering a distance of 161 m (528 ft). The sections were electro-fished using the <br />two sample method (Ricker 1958) to estimate the population. A section on Trout <br />Creek was also sampled and provided comparative data (Table 6). <br />Table 6. <br />Density of Bonneville cutthroat trout (S. c. utah) in Birch Creek, Beaver <br />County, and Trout Creek, Juab County, Utah.' <br />Birch Creek Trout Creek <br />NoJkm (NoJmile) NoJha (NoJacre) No./km (No/mile) NoJha (No./acre) <br />Section 1 ----~ <br />Section 2 96 (154) 702 (284) <br />Section 3 378 (608) 2948 (1193) 752 (1210) 2135 (864) <br />Section 4 287 (461) 2234 (904) <br />Total estimate <br />1962 (794) <br />2135 (864) <br />'Stream reach sampled was 161 m (528 ft.). <br />'Only one fish was sampled in this section. <br />The total estimated stream population for Birch Creek was calculated to be <br />4,190 fish based on a total area of 2.14 ha (5.28 acres) for the 16.1 km (10 miles) of <br />stream inhabited by cutthroat trout. The biomass estimates for the Birch Creek <br />stations were 25.2 kg/ha (22 lbs/ac), 46.5 kg/ha (411bs/ac), and 48.9 kg/ha (44 <br />lbs/ac), respectively. Total estimated biomass in Birch Creek was 40.3 kg/ha <br />(42.41bs/ac) or 86.2 kg (190 lbs) offish. Total estimated biomass in Trout Creek <br />was 379.3 kg (827 lbs). The larger biomass (standing crop) for the Trout Creek <br />population habitat 3.5 ha (8.6 ac) versus 2.14 ha (5.3 ac). Population estimates <br />were not available for other populations of Bonneville cutthroat found in Utah. <br />It can be speculated that"their numbers would also be limited because of <br />restricted habitat where they are found. <br />The year 1977 was considered to be the driest on record and many smaller <br />streams in Utah were severely affected. Birch Creek became dry in the lower 4.8 <br />km (3 miles), thus reducing habitable area from 16.1 to 11.3 km (10 to 7 miles). It <br />was estimated that approximately 0.32 ha (0.79 acres) of good habitat and 225 <br />trout (5 percent of total population) were lost. The drought had a lesser effect on <br />cutthroat trout in Trout Creek. Water conditions were not monitored in other <br />streams containing Bonneville cutthroat trout but these populations were prob- <br />ably affected. <br />Old, partially functional log structures were credited for the survival of half <br />the know population of Gila trout (Salnzo gil¢e) during two consecutive drought <br />18 <br />