Western Native Trout Initiative

A natural waterfall on the North Fork Little Snake River approx 0.5 mi upstream CO state Line, the Little Snake River and the Three Forks Ranch was being navigated by large stocked or displaced resident rainbow trout during high water flows. The problem is two-fold: 1) hybridization and 2) introduction of whirling disease introduction.

The project will enhance the characteristics of the natural waterfall (specifically the pool tail-out and channel restrictions below the waterfall pool. The project will also remove below pool boulders that are restricting the channel causing water to backup increasing the pool height and alternately decreasing the falls height.

The proposal is to mechanically change a pool tail-out section of the stream using explosives to reduce channel side granite outcroppings to relieve the channel restriction to allow the evacuation of downstream water more effectively, and ultimately change the depth of the pool and through implementation the height of the falls.

National Forest System lands represent a very large portion of the potential habitat for Colorado River cutthroat trout. Recent (ongoing since the early to mid 1990s) cooperative efforts by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and Forest Service have restored a number of Colorado River cutthroat trout streams on the district. Restoration efforts have been focused in the North Fork Little Snake River and Savery Creek drainages.