Home
Membership
Watershed Defined
Goals & Purpose
Agenda & Program
Topics of Interest
Regulatory Reviews
Monitoring & Reports
Photo Archive
Contact Information
References
Links
Search

Bear Creek Fishery Management and Temperature Investigations

2009 Fishery Master Spreadsheet Data

Fishery Issues Paper IP10

Fishery Analysis  Protocol and Methods V09

2008 Data Report Bear Creek Watershed

    2008 Flow Study Summary

    Macroinvertebrate data

Monitoring Sites

Bear Creek Segment 1a Fishery Problem

 The health of the fishery in Bear Creek segment 1a appears affected by unknown or speculated anthropogenic causes that result in annual variations (erratic increases and declines) as measured at fishery trend monitoring sites in the stream reach.  Identify factors that could or do affect fishery and could or do result in fishery declines either within the entire stream reach or at specific locations along the stream reach. 

Regulatory Issue Statement

• In 2005, the Environmental Protection Agency listed a portion of the Bear Creek Segment 1a from the Evergreen Lake outfall to the Harriman Ditch in Morrison, Colorado as impaired by temperature resulting in an impact to the aquatic life, specifically the fishery. 

• EPA claims evaluated temperatures in the segment above a 20 degree Celsius mark stressed the fishery during lower flow periods and caused a decline in the biomass and size class at several upstream locations. 

• Segment 1a is not on the 2004 Colorado 303(d) list. 

• The Division has not proposed listing the segment on the 2006 303(d) list (Regulation #93).  An evaluation of temperature data from 2002-2005 using a maximum weekly average temperature threshold of 20 degrees Celsius (MWAT 20) had no exceedances.  

• The Division has recommended retaining the segment on the 2006 Monitoring and Evaluation List (Regulation #94).  The status of the fishery and recovery of the fishery from severe drought conditions remains questionable.  Additionally, the Division believes more habitat, macroinvertebrate and fishery data correlated with river chemistry is needed to address the aquatic life concerns.

Association Position

The Bear Creek Watershed Association Board takes a proactive stance and has begun review of the new options related to the listing through a technical review committee (Bear Creek TRC).  The positions, issues, concerns and comments are from the Bear Creek Association Board, WQCD staff, Colorado Division of Wildlife, and Evergreen Trout Unlimited.  The Bear Creek TRC is continuing strategy development sessions with Board members, WQCD staff, TU, DOW, (Future participants include EPA, Denver Parks and others as appropriate). 

The Association will maintain a detailed temperature and ammonia monitoring program on segment 1a for three years (through 2008) and will maintain a sampling effort until the temperature issue is resolved.  The Association has committed funding to this special study through 2008.  The Association will use a five-year data set of temperature readings on segment 1a and request a temperature delisting process (EPA List), if data continues to confirm no MWAT problem. The Association Board data record does not indicate a temperature problem, but the Board does acknowledge fishery concerns related to low flow conditions.  The Association wants an open, cooperative and coordinated process with no surprises in the end.  All Association meetings are open and the Board will address any and all related issues or concerns.

New Recommendations or Positions From Bear Creek TRC

• Fishery survey sites added at Downtown Evergreen (across from Little Bear) and upstream of Evergreen Lake at Keys-On-The Green. 

• The Five traditional sites will have continued annual fish monitoring.

• The DOW fishery data will be used to determine fishery health and no other surveys are necessary.

• The four fish species of interest are Brown Trout, Rainbow trout, Long-Nose Dace, and Long-Nose Sucker.  Other “potential” species that could affect a temperature TMDL are Rainbow Trout, Long-nose dace and the Long-nose sucker. 

• Stocked Tiger Muskie in Evergreen Lake. 

• Brook Trout and Cut-throat Trout are not potential species in this segment. 

• The Brown Trout is a reproducing fishery. 

• Need to obtain life stages information for four target species.  

• Macroinvertebrate samples collected in the fall will be at fish survey sites, within limits of sample collection.  The state collection method used and data will be incorporated in to both state and BEAR Creek data sets.  The timed kick net method will be used.  Several Bear Creek sample sites will be adjusted to coincide with fishery survey sites.  The Association will target a five-year data set.

• River chemistry data and future habitat surveys will also be linked with fish survey sites.

• A model approach will be used to predict fishery recovery and maintenance.

• The Association will develop a fact sheet on the temperature collection protocols for wide distribution. 

• A detailed flow study of segment with travel time, flow curves, gain-loss study and other needed hydrology.