Project Description

The Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation are participating in the Resident Fish Program (measure 903 (g) (2) (a)), of the 1995 Columbia Basin Fish & Wildlife Program.  Under this program the Tribes are able to stock Sheep Creek and Mt View Reservoirs.  Fish screens are in place at both reservoirs to prevent non-native and non-game fish from entering our reservoirs.  There are rotary-type drum screens at both inlets to these reservoirs. These are the same type of screens used by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game to prevent fish from entering irrigation canals and other non-desirable locations.  The spillways of both reservoirs have picket weir screens to prevent escapement of fish from the reservoirs.

The water temperatures of the lakes range from a high of 18.5C at the surface and 12C at 10 foot depth (Mt. View Reservoir 7/99).  Sheep Creek ranges from 15.4C to 11.5C at 13 foot depth.  These are the summer time temperatures so temperatures are cooler in the spring and fall.  These temperatures are well in the range for suitable productivity of rainbow trout.  The Tribes M&E plan and data gathered will attest to the suitability of these water from a biological standpoint.

For the Fiscal Year 2001, the Tribes are proposing to stock the two reservoirs and to continue to operate and maintain our vehicle.  The purposed budget for FY2001 is $119,903.00


Project Background
The Fish Stocking Program for the Tribes was begun in 1988.  The Tribes have stocked fish in Mt. View Reservoir and Sheep Creek Reservoir for the past 12 years.  Prior to receiving BPA funding the reservoirs were stocked through the State of Idaho and the USFWS.  The reservoirs have been stocked since their construction by above named agencies.  To date the Tribes have received $794,401.00.  Over 90% of the funds for this project go directly to the purchase of fish for stocking.  Until late 1997 there was very little data collected on the fish stocking program.  A limited creel census was begun in the fall of 1997 and will be continued every year after.  All data (CPUE, return-to-creel, stocking rates, water quality) from late 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 will be included in the project annual report or quarterly reports or electronic data submittals to Bonneville Power Administration.
  
This is not a watershed or habitat enhancement project.  If one has not been submitted previously, a NEPA compliance checklist may need to be submitted.      


Project Objectives

1.     To continue stocking rainbow trout into Sheep Creek and Mt. View Reservoirs on the Duck Valley Indian Reservation.

2.     The Tribes will continue to improve the fisheries of the Reservation by stocking fish annually along with monitoring the stocking rates, biological indices, and return-to-the-creel for both Mt. View and Sheep Creek Reservoirs.


Project Benefits
  
1.     Continue stocking rainbow trout into Sheep Creek and Mt. View Reservoirs
The benefit to stocking fish in these reservoirs is to provide a sustenance fishery for the Shoshone-Paiute tribal members.  This fishery is partial mitigation for the loss of anadromous fish on the DVIR.  Along with providing a fishery for the tribal members, this reservoir provides income for the Tribes to help in maintaining the reservoirs and facilities.

2.     Improve the fishery through monitoring and evaluation    
The benefit to the fishery from monitoring and evaluating the water quality along with the stocking numbers will ensure that the Tribes are stocking the correct numbers of fish in the reservoirs.  Along with evaluating the numbers of fish in the reservoir, we will also monitor the biological factors in the reservoirs.  In monitoring the biological indices in the reservoir we will be able to determine the best times to stock, how and if the fish are surviving the winter, and what numbers of fish are spawning and returning to the reservoir to become adults.  This work aids us in providing a healthy population of trout for tribal and non-tribal members.