The 2025 summer season was one for the record books—and unfortunately, not in a good way. Silver Creek experienced some of the lowest flows on record. Despite these challenging conditions, the fishery held up remarkably well. Surveys showed strong fish numbers, including more large fish than in the previous year.
It was difficult, however, to obtain consistently accurate flow data from the USGS gauge this season. Readings fluctuated significantly and often proved unreliable, underscoring the need for more accurate and dependable monitoring equipment. We understand that the USGS is in the process of installing a new system, which should be operational soon.
What became clear this season is that the restoration work undertaken by the Silver Creek Alliance and The Nature Conservancy over the past several years is paying off. Fall water‑quality data revealed that water temperatures and dissolved oxygen levels were in better condition than in years past—even under low‑flow conditions. This improvement reflects a targeted restoration strategy designed to perform well during low‑water years, and ongoing monitoring continues to validate these results.
Several restoration projects are showing particularly strong outcomes. Work completed on Stalker Creek, located on The Nature Conservancy’s property, continues to perform exceptionally well. In another part of the watershed, two restoration projects on Loving Creek are also yielding promising results. Every tributary that is restored strengthens the overall health of the Silver Creek system.
Restoration efforts on Loving Creek are currently in full swing. Phase One is nearing completion and includes the installation of new fish passage and the removal of an irrigation ditch that had been degrading downstream water quality. For more than 70 years, this barrier prevented fish from accessing miles of upstream spawning habitat. Fish can now freely move into these newly available areas. This phase also included the creation of a new stream channel and associated wetland habitat. It is one of the largest restoration projects ever undertaken on Silver Creek, with Phases Two and Three planned over the next two years.
Another major project moving forward is the complete removal of accumulated legacy sediment from the Kilpatrick/Purdy Pond section of Silver Creek. This impoundment has collected sediment for over 100 years, and the goal is to remove it entirely. This project will improve the fishery by restoring deep‑water habitat and reducing water temperatures. As a heavily used public section of the creek, the benefits will be enjoyed by everyone. A modern, highly efficient suction dredge—recently used elsewhere in the watershed—will be utilized for this work. Additional funding is still needed, and support for this project is critical.
We also continued treatment efforts for yellow flag iris, an invasive species that requires persistent management. The results of this program have been very encouraging. When treatment began in 2017, approximately 2,500 plant colonies were identified. Today, monitoring typically finds between 100 and 200 colonies—a significant and meaningful reduction that demonstrates we now have this issue well under control.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to the health of Silver Creek.
2025 Silver Creek Update
The 2025 summer season was one for the record books—and unfortunately, not in a good way. Silver Creek experienced some of the lowest flows on record. Despite these challenging conditions, the fishery held up remarkably well. Surveys showed strong fish numbers, including more large fish than in the previous year.
It was difficult, however, to obtain consistently accurate flow data from the USGS gauge this season. Readings fluctuated significantly and often proved unreliable, underscoring the need for more accurate and dependable monitoring equipment. We understand that the USGS is in the process of installing a new system, which should be operational soon.
What became clear this season is that the restoration work undertaken by the Silver Creek Alliance and The Nature Conservancy over the past several years is paying off. Fall water‑quality data revealed that water temperatures and dissolved oxygen levels were in better condition than in years past—even under low‑flow conditions. This improvement reflects a targeted restoration strategy designed to perform well during low‑water years, and ongoing monitoring continues to validate these results.
Several restoration projects are showing particularly strong outcomes. Work completed on Stalker Creek, located on The Nature Conservancy’s property, continues to perform exceptionally well. In another part of the watershed, two restoration projects on Loving Creek are also yielding promising results. Every tributary that is restored strengthens the overall health of the Silver Creek system.
Restoration efforts on Loving Creek are currently in full swing. Phase One is nearing completion and includes the installation of new fish passage and the removal of an irrigation ditch that had been degrading downstream water quality. For more than 70 years, this barrier prevented fish from accessing miles of upstream spawning habitat. Fish can now freely move into these newly available areas. This phase also included the creation of a new stream channel and associated wetland habitat. It is one of the largest restoration projects ever undertaken on Silver Creek, with Phases Two and Three planned over the next two years.
Another major project moving forward is the complete removal of accumulated legacy sediment from the Kilpatrick/Purdy Pond section of Silver Creek. This impoundment has collected sediment for over 100 years, and the goal is to remove it entirely. This project will improve the fishery by restoring deep‑water habitat and reducing water temperatures. As a heavily used public section of the creek, the benefits will be enjoyed by everyone. A modern, highly efficient suction dredge—recently used elsewhere in the watershed—will be utilized for this work. Additional funding is still needed, and support for this project is critical.
We also continued treatment efforts for yellow flag iris, an invasive species that requires persistent management. The results of this program have been very encouraging. When treatment began in 2017, approximately 2,500 plant colonies were identified. Today, monitoring typically finds between 100 and 200 colonies—a significant and meaningful reduction that demonstrates we now have this issue well under control.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to the health of Silver Creek.
Silver Creek Alliance
Projects for Silver Creek
Newsletters From the Director