Description:
Spring Creek is a typical western spring creek in Jackson Hole that has been impacted by silt accumulation. It is a low-gradient system with relatively stable flows and no "flushing flows" associated with snowmelt. The silt accumulation in Spring Creek has negatively impacted the available trout habitat by filling in and covering historic pools, riffles and spawning gravels. All ages of cutthroat trout utilized Spring Creek, however the lack of holding water and spawning gravels resulted in a high proportion of age 2 fish (little trout) and relatively few age 4 or greater fish (big trout). 19 pools were excavated and a combination of boulder weirs, log drops and cover logs were used to maintain scour in these pools. Imported gravels were placed in selected areas to provide spawning beds and habitat for the insects on which trout feed. Deep pools, clean riffles and large fish are now found throughout the project reach.