The 2022 year for Silver Creek had some big changes. The most notable was the downturn in numbers of fish. This was primarily due to shortages of water in the previous two years and a hard freeze in winter of 2021-22. Estimates put a reduction of 60% in fish populations to the previous year. This is typical in Silver Creek to have population fluctuations and we will be curious to see how next year shapes up. One item that is worth mentioning however, are the past, current and future projects for Loving and Stalker Creek. The Alliance has worked with and continues to work with landowners in restoration efforts in the Silver Creek Watershed. We have several projects on Loving Creek, a tributary to Silver Creek, that are in the works right now. Loving Creek has been listed in the past as one of the top ten endangered waterways in Idaho due to poor water quality. These projects will include reconstruction of the stream in certain areas to eliminate sediment that is causing very high water temperatures, low Dissolved Oxygen and very high densities of algae blooms. We are removing a fish passage barrier that has blocked fish spawning areas for over 60 years and improving water efficiency for irrigation that will save more water in the stream. One area of restoration will include stream improvement on Idaho Department of Fish and Game property that is public fishing water and is easily accessible to the public for high quality fishing in Loving Creek. We don’t want to stop here however! Other projects on Loving Creek have been recently completed and another property owner is showing interest in starting restoration soon.
The RR Ranch is moving forward on another sediment removal project in Spring of 2023 to reduce water temperatures and improve fish habitat. The RR Ranch continues to improve Silver Creek in their efforts and the Alliance is proud to help.
The Nature Conservancy has completed phase 1 of the Stalker Creek restoration project and is currently working on phase 2 that will tie in nearly a mile and a half of stream restoration. We are excited to help the Nature Conservancy and landowners move these projects forward. Your support in these efforts is vital for success and greatly appreciated!
2022 Silver Creek Update
The 2022 year for Silver Creek had some big changes. The most notable was the downturn in numbers of fish. This was primarily due to shortages of water in the previous two years and a hard freeze in winter of 2021-22. Estimates put a reduction of 60% in fish populations to the previous year. This is typical in Silver Creek to have population fluctuations and we will be curious to see how next year shapes up. One item that is worth mentioning however, are the past, current and future projects for Loving and Stalker Creek. The Alliance has worked with and continues to work with landowners in restoration efforts in the Silver Creek Watershed. We have several projects on Loving Creek, a tributary to Silver Creek, that are in the works right now. Loving Creek has been listed in the past as one of the top ten endangered waterways in Idaho due to poor water quality. These projects will include reconstruction of the stream in certain areas to eliminate sediment that is causing very high water temperatures, low Dissolved Oxygen and very high densities of algae blooms. We are removing a fish passage barrier that has blocked fish spawning areas for over 60 years and improving water efficiency for irrigation that will save more water in the stream. One area of restoration will include stream improvement on Idaho Department of Fish and Game property that is public fishing water and is easily accessible to the public for high quality fishing in Loving Creek. We don’t want to stop here however! Other projects on Loving Creek have been recently completed and another property owner is showing interest in starting restoration soon.
The RR Ranch is moving forward on another sediment removal project in Spring of 2023 to reduce water temperatures and improve fish habitat. The RR Ranch continues to improve Silver Creek in their efforts and the Alliance is proud to help.
The Nature Conservancy has completed phase 1 of the Stalker Creek restoration project and is currently working on phase 2 that will tie in nearly a mile and a half of stream restoration. We are excited to help the Nature Conservancy and landowners move these projects forward. Your support in these efforts is vital for success and greatly appreciated!
Thank you,
Alliance Team
Projects for Silver Creek