Drought Concerns For State's Fisheries Will Continue Through Winter

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Concern about the drought’s impact on the state’s fisheries will continue into next year, according to Fish, Wildlife & Parks Water Resources Program Manager Kathleen Williams. "It is too early to predict how Montana’s fisheries will fare, but fisheries biologists know that the drought-induced stress on the state’s trout streams won’t end with the first heavy rain or snowfall," Williams said. "Low winter flows, whether from reservoirs that have limited storage left, or in unregulated drainages, will mean less protection from ice and cold air temperatures for trout in the winter. Also without enough water to insulate the bed of the stream from freezing air, the water within the gravel in streams can freeze, killing trout eggs and the small fish that take cover in the gravel during winter." Williams said fish-kill reports aren’t widespread, but the number of these incidents is on the rise, with flow-related causes ranging from high water temperature, fish stranded in small pools, increased chemical concentrations due to decreased dilution, and increased susceptibility to disease. Recent nighttime cooling is improving water temperatures, but water levels continue to decline in many streams and some sections are dry, Williams said. "The good news is that people are really trying to help with voluntary cutbacks in irrigation, improved irrigation efficiency, and a more coordinated approach among state agencies," Williams said. "We also have some in-stream flow leases in place which are contributing flow in critical tributaries, and the Governor just signed an order allowing easier in-stream flow water right conversions until Nov. 1. "We believe voluntary cutbacks in irrigation and more efficient irrigation practices are the reason the lower reach of the Big Hole River has 90-100 more cfs than it did at this point in 1988. It is contributions of water, like this one from a strong local watershed group, that are essential in helping the state’s fisheries struggle through this crisis."