JACKSON HOLE, WYO – Fish habitat in the lower five miles of Ditch Creek has been fragmented for more than 50 years due to human-induced changes on the landscape, including road culverts that preclude fish passage. In addition, natural sediment transport processes cause Ditch Creek to periodically leave its main channel and occupy some of the many relic irrigation ditches built by early settlers in the Antelope Flats area. This results in a stream course that also obstructs fish passage.
Jackson Hole One Fly Foundation and Patagonia World Trout Initiative have both demonstrated a long-term commitment to the conservation of native Snake River cutthroat trout and have supported habitat restoration in Grand Teton National Park. In fact, both organizations recently awarded Grand Teton National Park Foundation, the park’s primary fundraising partner, grants totaling $25,000 to help restore stream flow and fish passage between the Snake River and the upper reaches of one of its tributaries: Ditch Creek.
During the last three years, significant progress has been made on restoring connectivity of the Snake River and upper Ditch Creek. Road culverts have been retrofitted to be fish-friendly and no longer represent movement barriers. Foundation funding will help return Ditch Creek to its historical alignment, allowing fish passage during key spawning and migratory periods, and maintain and enhance fish movement studies. Data collection will expedite assessments of restoration project success, reveal preferred spawning habitats, and facilitate the shaping of a practical, long-term management strategy for Ditch Creek.
Dennis Butcher, JH One Fly Foundation board member, said, “Jackson Hole One Fly has enjoyed working with Grand Teton National Park Foundation in their efforts to protect and restore native fish habitat within the park. The current project, to begin to restore flow in Ditch Creek to its natural course, is just one example of this great collaboration.”
Patagonia’s World Trout Initiative grants manager Ron Hunter, added, “Supporting the Foundation’s efforts on the Ditch Creek project that protects native fish and restores degraded habitats is important to Patagonia’s World Trout Initiative. We were happy to supply funding to make it happen.”
It was a donation that elated the Foundation’s president Leslie Mattson, as well.
“We are so pleased to have the support of both the Jackson Hole One Fly Foundation and Patagonia’s World Trout Initiative to help execute this important project in Grand Teton National Park. Because of their generosity, the park will be able to restore this vital habitat allowing our native fish populations to thrive,” Mattson said.
