Preliminary TU225 HAG Briefing 29 April 2015

Initial Policy Statement At the 2011 annual meeting of Trout Unlimited in Bend, Oregon, the NLC passed the following resolution regarding stocking over native trout: RESOLVED, that the NLC is opposed to Chapters or Councils stocking of non- native hatchery trout on top of native trout populations.

Area Stocked Note: Figure was extracted from the booklet “Major Pools of the Upper Wood River” compiled by Gary Boden in March of This booklet is available in various places, including from the TU225 Website ( g/sites/default/files/maj orpoolsoftheupperwood r_2.pdf ). g/sites/default/files/maj orpoolsoftheupperwood r_2.pdf

Recommended Thresholds The key baselines for a suitable environment for trout, focused mainly on Brook Trout, is summed up as cool, clean, well- oxygenated water with: – Temperature: up to 68 deg-F – Dissolved Oxygen (Low to High): GT 6 mg/L – Stream Flow : GT 27 cfs – Chemicals and biologics Sustained pH level ; brief levels LT 6.5 to 5.0 acceptable. Fecal coliform: IAW EPA guidelines enterococci: IAW EPA guidelines.

Givens These general issues are driven by the key regulator for the Arcadia watershed, RIDEM. These issues are: RIDEM, WPWA, and TU225 have a synergistic and respectful relationship. RIDEM controls the Arcadia Management Area. RIDEM manages Arcadia as a recreational area. The Arcadia Management Area attracts many people who like a variety of outdoor activities, incl. hiking, boating, hunting, & fishing of all types. RIDEM is appreciative of the volunteer services TU225 and the WRFFC provide for fish habitat and access improvements, fish distribution, and cleaning watershed areas for all recreational users. – These volunteer services provide RIDEM with a supplementary source of reimbursement/revenue. RIDEM does not have any plan to stop stocking in the Upper Wood River. In addition, although TU would like all members to fully support their policies, they recognize that members are individuals and can act accordingly.

2013 Temperature Findings – Wood Rvr 68

2014 Temperature Findings – Wood Rvr 68

Comparison of Falls River Temps ( o F) from URIWW

Flow (Mean) - Wood River 1964 Thru 2013 Max Flow (420 cfs) # 2013 Min Flow (13 cfs) 2014 Max Flow (700 cfs) & 2014 Min Flow (4 # & 27

Wood River Flow Oct07-Jan15 Most recent instantaneous value: :45 EDT From: 01&end_date=

2014 Flow – Wood River 27

2014 Falls River Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Lower Bridge DO (Mg/L)

Closing Comment from Scott Christy, TU’s Wyoming Coordinator, from March/April 2014 ‘American Angler’, pg. 35: “We [Trout Unlimited] think both native and nonnative fish are appropriate,” he said. “We look at native fish on a case-by-case basis. We know fishermen like to catch fish, and we look to conserve both.”

Questions/Comments?