Canyon Creek Reconnect

Project Narrative

All components of project 003 08 SA were successfully implemented in 2010 and 2011. This included upgrade and installation of new power lines, installation of irrigation pipe of various sizes, installation of a new irrigation diversion and fish screen, and installation of a common pump station. An additional 4 cubic feet per second (cfs) of flow is now being spilled down lower Canyon Creek to the Lemhi River for fish. Project # 005 08 SA was initially developed to acquire 2 cfs of stream flow in Canyon Creek. Further negotiations with the participating ranch provided the opportunity to acquire an additional 2 cfs through this reach, with the expectation that summer base flow in lower Canyon Creek below all the diversions will now range from 5-7 cfs, with significantly more flow available during high water in June.Most of the project components of this contract were administered concurrent to contract 005 07 SA PH2 “Improve Flow in BT Creek” since both ultimately use a common pump station site, power line, screen and diversion, and access road. This maximized efficiency between these two projects, and minimized implementation time and landscape/resource disturbance.The amount of water provided by this project is expected to meet the flow objectives for functionally reconnecting Canyon Creek with the Lemhi River. This includes providing the habitat conditions necessary for adult Chinook salmon and steelhead passage, spawning, and rearing. Additionally, both salmon and steelhead will have unlimited access to the middle and headwater reaches of Canyon Creek where the highest quality spawning and rearing habitat exists. Furthermore, these actions will benefit Bull trout, Redband trout, and Westslope Cutthroat trout by establishing connectivity between multiple watersheds. Thus, these species are now expected develop fluvial life history strategies in Canyon Creek.Increased availability of rearing and resting habitat for all juvenile salmonids, but with special attention to Chinook salmon and Steelhead trout. Additionally, Steelhead trout will have greater access to spawning habitat in Canyon Creek headwaters. The reconnect will also benefit Bull trout, Redband trout, and Westslope Cutthroat trout by providng movement corridors between habitat types.