Restoring and Reconnecting Rock Creek

Trout Unlimited, the Wood River Land Trust and The Nature Conservancy are working to restore and reconnect Rock Creek with the Big Wood River in Blaine County, ID.

The majority of Rock Creek runs through the 10,400-acre Rock Creek Ranch which was purchased in 2014 by the Wood River Land Trust and The Nature Conservancy for permanent conservation easement and protection. Fish habitat in Rock Creek has been compromised by heavy grazing that resulted in denuded, widened and unstable streambanks. River habitat had also become disconnected in places. Two fish passage structures have fallen into disrepair and no longer allow for fish passage.

Rock Creek image.jpg

TU has acquired $150,000 and The Nature Conservancy will contribute $200,000 to restore Rock Creek and reestablish fish passage with the Big Wood River. Replacing fish passage structures will reconnect about ten miles of Rock Creek, enabling wild rainbow trout to access additional spawning and rearing habitat within the Big Wood River watershed.

To further restore sensitive riparian habitat, TU and its partners will be planting vegetation along the stream, stabilizing stream banks, and recreating deeper channels and pools. Doing so will enhance fish populations while providing refuge to adult and juvenile salmonids during times of thermal and ecological stress.

In addition, restoration of Rock Creek will enhance recreational angling opportunities, and provide habitat benefits for a variety of aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. Rock Creek enters the Big Wood approximately 2 miles upstream of the confluence with Magic Reservoir. The Rock Creek drainage encompasses just over 20,000 acres, and includes multiple tributaries to the Big Wood River totaling 89 miles of stream.