Bonneville Cutthroat Trout BDAs
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Project Goals and Objectives
Site Description The project site is on the Fish Lake National Forest in Southern Utah. The project site is a high mountain sagebrush community with conifer and aspen communities intermixed as you move up in elevation. In the valley bottom are irrigated meadows and Niotche Creek. This landowner has a long history of working with partners to implement conservation work. The property is in within a sage grouse management area (Parker-Emery), although it isn’t core habitat. The property also has a genetically pure population of Bonneville cutthroat trout, recently discovered and mapped. Goals The goal of the project is to improve stream and riparian habitat. As part of this goals, partners want to see if in-stream structures will attract beaver from upstream to the project site. Additionally, partners have treated high elevation brush (silver sagebrush) in an effort to increase herbaceous vegetation in higher elevations. Undertaking and Methods Natural erosion control structures (55) will be constructed in the stream using untreated pine poles and native woody material and rock. In addition a fence was built to livestock and wildlife specifications for grazing management. Species Benefits Greater sage grouse, Sage thrasher, Brewer’s sparrow, Wild turkey, Elk, Mule deer, Bonneville cutthroat trout. Side note: beaver have come down and built onto some BDAs.
Structure Construction Elements
Untreated pine posts 2-3" in diameter. Native woody materials used on site including willow, alder, and juniper. Rock and soil used from on site as well. Average length of structures approximately 12'.
Project Photos
Cover Photo