Friday, July 2, 2004

River fisheries study launched

Big Wood is healthy, but what else does it?

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By GREG STAHL
Express Staff Writer

The upper Big Wood River is experiencing unusually good health and high levels of biological productivity, but that doesn’t mean there is not room for improvement.

For the last six months, the Hailey-based Wood River Land Trust has been undertaking a study to quantify what is going right and what isn’t in the Big Wood River. The study could take another two years to complete and implement.

Land trust representatives on Monday explained their plans at a lunch meeting and fundraiser at The Roosevelt Tavern in Ketchum.

"Our fishery is incredibly healthy," said Stef Frenzl, the land trust’s projects coordinator. "So, we want to know how and why. What does the river really need?"

Frenzl said the investigation, to be called the Upper Big Wood River Fishery & Habitat Assessment, will consist of three phases. The first will be a desk assessment during which gaps in the current data pool will be identified. During the second phase, additional field research will be conducted to fill the gaps identified during the first phase.

Finally, the findings of the first two phases will be prioritized and implemented.

"This is where the rubber hits the road," Frenzl said.

The land trust, however, is still in its first phase and is looking for money to help fund further research.

Most Big Wood River studies have looked at one or two components of the system, but none comprehensively studied the fishery and its habitat as a whole.

"With ever-increasing demands being placed on the fishery and riverside lands, we need sound scientific data to defend our protection, enhancement and river conservation efforts," according to the land trust. "By using the best science available, we can guarantee that we are most effective with our limited resources while protecting and restoring this wonderful and valued river."

Land trust Executive Director Scott Boettger elaborated.

"The aim is to create a comprehensive strategy," he said. "The ultimate goal is to reverse those areas that have been lost."

To help with the project, the land trust has hired a contract fisheries biologist to wade through existing studies and pinpoint gaps in the information. What he has found so far is that the amount and quality of fish habitat is the primary limiting factor for local fish populations.

"This is not really surprising," consultant Jim Gregory said. "Fish populations, for the most part, are limited by food and space."

Gregory said there are eight to 10 times more trout in parts of the river with cover. The highest fish densities are in pools, and the river is most productive below Ketchum.

Unknown factors include how the fishery reacts to temperature, sedimentation and nutrient loading, Gregory said. Those are all symptoms of growth and development around the river.

As the study progresses, answers to those questions will be answered.

"If we’re not going to do it, who’s going to?" Boettger asked.

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