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7/14/2009 5:02:32 PM
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UCREFRP
UCREFRP Catalog Number
7994
Author
Duff, D. A., Tech. Ed.
Title
Conservation Assessment For Inland Cutthroat Trout, Distribution, Status and Habitat Management Implications.
USFW Year
1996.
USFW - Doc Type
\
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<br />area above Henry's Lake. The South Fork of the Snake River and tributaries, from the confluence with <br />the Henry's Fork to Palisades Reservoir, was treated as a sub-basin. Several drainages that flow into <br />the Salt River originate in Idaho (e.g. Jackknife, Tincup, Stump and Crow Creeks). Those portions of <br />these drainages, in Idaho, were treated as separate analysis areas. The lower portions of these <br />sub-basins are bisected by the State boundary between Idaho and Wyoming. <br /> <br />The amount of historic Yellowstone cutthroat trout riverine habitat within Idaho was estimated at 3,797 <br />miles (Table 1). This amount included approximately 210 stream miles associated with tributaries to <br />the Salt River and South Fork of Snake River that are occupied by the "finespotted Snake River" form. <br />Also included was a minor amount (58 miles) of stream habitat associated with the Goose Creek and <br />Raft River drainages located in Nevada and Utah (Personal communications with Mr. Gene Weller, <br />Nevada Department of Wildlife and Mr. Kent Summers, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources). In <br />addition to the riverine environments, 3 lakes (Henry's Lake and the two Palisades Lakes) were <br />identified as being historically occupied. There is little historical information that quantifies trout <br />abundance; most historic references provide an indication that trout were very abundant in upper <br />stream reaches and common in lower areas (Gilbert and Evermann 1892; Rollins 1935). <br /> <br />This current assessment (Table 1) indicates that approximately 1,622 miles of streams are presently <br />inhabited by Yellowstone cutthroat trout (there was some uncertainty about the current status that <br />precluded a determination in four of the sub-basins). Based on this information, approximately 43% <br />of the historic habitat was felt to be currently occupied by Yellowstone cutthroat trout. Even though <br />this occupancy value appears to be relatively high, caution should be applied before arriving at any <br />final conclusions. Only a minor amount of genetic verification has occurred to date and there is a <br />possibility that many populations have been influenced by rainbow trout hybridization. Visual, includ- <br />ing meristic, determinations often preclude detection of rainbow trout contamination. The cutthroat <br />trout in the headwater portion of Goose Creek, which enters the Snake River immediately above <br />Shoshone Falls, has been shown through meristic evaluation (Personal Communication, Robert <br />Behnke, Colorado State University)) and electrophoretic analysis (Personal communication, Gene <br />Weller, Nevada Department Fish and Game) to be genetically pure. Other populations that have been <br />electrophoretically verified, within the lower portion of the Snake River drainage, include Eight mile <br />Creek (tributary to Raft River) and the headwater tributaries to the Blackfoot River. Exotic trout species <br />were present in 19 sub-basins and these species were identified as being a potential threat in 16 <br />sub-basins (Table 2). Rainbow trout were identified as being present in all 16 sub-basins and <br />hybridization is a probable condition (Thurow 1988). There were nine (9) sub-basin identified as <br />supporting populations of Yellowstone cutthroat of unknown status. With the exception of drainages <br />reported by Thurow et aI. (1988) and several that were specifically addressed in the questionnaires, <br />little quantification of population status (Table 2) exists and most of the information is based on <br />qualitative appraisals of population health. <br /> <br />Historical references relating to habitat condition, within the Idaho portion of the Snake River, are <br />limited and largely qualitative (Gilbert and Evermann 1892). Gilbert and Evermann's description of <br />habitat condition included temperature and substrate observations for both the Ross (probably <br />Blackfoot River) and the Portneuf Rivers near their confluence with the Snake. For both streams, the <br />summer afternoon water temperatures were observed in the mid to low 70's (F) and stream substrates <br />had high levels of mud (probably sands and silts) along with gravels. Mink Creek, a tributary to the <br />Portneuf River, was also described as having an afternoon water temperature of 59 F and a sand and <br />gravel substrate. For all three streams, comments were made about dense growths of willows directly <br />on the banks and within adjacent riparian areas. Trout were noted as being common in all three <br />streams supporting the conclusion that habitat was in good condition and that occupancy was <br />probable for the entire length of these streams. It is logical to conclude that other tributaries to the <br />Snake also provided suitable habitat of similar quality characteristics. Current habitat assessment <br /> <br />16 <br />
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