SEELEY LAKE - Contractors with the Big Blackfoot Chapter of Trout Unlimited are working on the North Fork Cottonwood Reroute project that is tied to fisheries and preserving bull trout populations.
The project on the #477 Cottonwood Lakes Road, approximately a quarter-mile east of the North Fork Cottonwood Creek, intends to move a segment of road from the banks of the creek and replace an existing culvert. This project is not expected to impact traffic.
“The whole idea for the reroute, for instance, is to get the road away from the stream and keep the dirt from the road from getting into the creek,” said Seeley Lake District Ranger Quinn Carver. “We are trying to build the best house for the fish that we can.”
Carver said that BBCTU is aiding with the rerouting of Cottonwood Lakes Road by hiring a contractor.
“The partnership has just been phenomenal,” said Carver. “[Their help] frees up our engineers to work on other projects.”
According to Carver, the current culvert will be replaced with a culvert with an open bottom to allow fish and other aquatic organisms to pass through with ease. The open bottom will allow for the stream bed to be uninterrupted. This construction is meant to help migration routes for the bull trout.
In 1998, the bull trout was listed as a “threatened” species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The bull trout requires a specific habitat with cold, clean waters. According to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, bull trout populations are declining due to population isolation, degradation from water and land management practices and general habitat loss.
“If you think about breathing smoke for a human, sediment in the water is like breathing smoke for fish,” said Carver.
Many of these issues threatening bull trout on the North Fork of Cottonwood Creek emerged after the Rice Ridge fire in 2017. The fire removed trees that used to shade the creek, keeping the water cool for the bull trout.
“This is part of putting things together after the large fire we had,” said Carver. “The forest and the environment are going to be resetting and we are also helping it along.”
The project is expected to be completed this fall. For more information contact the Seeley Lake Ranger District 677-2233.
Reader Comments(0)