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Development on Henry's Lake Increases
Investors are proposing a development across from the Henry's Lake Hatchery that may impact water used to spawn fish and rear eggs. A twenty acre development proposes 30 lots on the steep hillside above the hatchery. With the development would come domestic wells and septic systems that would likely impact the water supply used by the hatchery. The spring used by the hatchery has a shallow watershed that absorbs water over a relatively small area above the hatchery . Any wells up gradient or lateral to the spring could reduce the supply of water to the hatchery. The number of septic systems that would accompany such a dense development could produce pathogens and nutrients that would further impact the quality of water used by hatchery personnel to rear fish eggs and attract fish for spawning. Conversely, any centralized/combined system would likely have enough flow to not function appropriately and increase pollution to the lake. In addition to increased pathogen inputs nutrients would likely reach Henry's Lake and reduce water quality in the lake. Added nutrients would likely increase aquatic plant growth and production of algae that would ultimately drive down oxygen on the north shore of the lake. Oxygen depletion has been a problem in the past resulting in localized winterkill and the need to aerate the lake around the hatchery to provide refuge for returning fish that are ready to spawn.
The Environmental Protection Agency funded a Clean Lakes Study of Henry's Lake that was conducted by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and its contractors in 1992. The study showed that the lake was receiving excess nutrients from a litany of sources including natural sources, agricultural practices, and residences. Water quality impacts are variable depending upon irrigation needs from the lake, precipitation levels, and long term development around the lake. The Environmental Consultant that compiled data and made recommendations in the study ultimately determined that the life expectancy of Henry's Lake had been significantly shortened by nutrient loading.
The property in question, above the Hatchery, became available when the Sherwood Family, the decendents of Joseph Sherwood, the original homesteader of the property, opted to sell the property. It was proposed to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game that it would be an important parcel of property to accuire to secure the hatchery and provide recreational access to the Henry's Lake Mountains on the north shore of Henry's Lake. The proposal never was seriously considered, however.
The City of Island Park planning and zoning commission has heard preliminary proposals for the development. A nutrient and pathogen study will be required by the Department of Environmental Quality. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is relying on public input to sway the City of Island Park to discourage the development. The combination of high density of home sites, steep hillside, shallow ground water, and known nutrient issues in the Lake may not be enough to slow development when increasing tax revenues from residences are at stake for the City and County.
Other developments that have recently been in the works include condominiums that were proposed by prospective buyers at Staley Springs. The land west of Wild Rose Resort has had numerous iterations for development proposed. Recently a single occupancy residense was proposed for this sensitive area. Previous developments in precarious areas include Pintail Point, which was permitted in an important wetland, and the area between the State Park and Goose Bay, which also had wetland violations. Wetland mitigation was required for development and Wild Rose Resort in recent years, as well.
Highway 87 Culverts Replaced to Improve Cutthroat Spawning
The Idaho Transportation Department completed construction of bridges over Howard Creek and Targhee Creek, important spawning tributaries to Henry's Lake. The previous State Highway 87 crossings were over culverts that were significant fish barriers. The replacement of these culverts was previously on the ITD work schedule in the mid 90's but funding was pulled to pursue other priorities.
Targhee and Howard Creeks are the primary spawning tributaries for trout in Henry's Lake. The Henry's Lake Foundation in cooperation with political staffers from the Offices of Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and Congressman Mike Simpson were able to convince the ITD that it would be timely to improve fish passage to bolster fish populations that have been faltering lately due to extensive draw downs in Henry's Lake to supply irrigation water. Irrigation demand has resulted in lake levels less than 60% due to drought. When the lake is drawn down to this extent natural migration of spawning fish is impacted by mud flats that form at the mouths of spawning tributaries. Combined with impassible culverts at Highway 87 cutthroat populations have been decreasing in the lake culminating in the worst fishing on record in 2004. Fishing had improved in 2005, but has remained slightly below fishery management goals set by Idaho Fish and Game.
Other cooperators in the fisheries enhancement project included The Greater Yellowstone Coalition, The Nature Conservancy, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, and Trout Unlimited. Conservation groups have been watching the decline of Yellowstone Cutthroat worsen since the late 90's when multiple threats were identified to the native fish. Lake trout were found in Yellowstone Lake and are a major predator of cutthroat trout. Genetic impacts and competition from rainbow trout in the South Fork of the Snake River below Palisades Dam are another source of concern. Additionally,Utah chubs and reduced natural production of Henry's Lake cutthroat have had conservation groups taking action to have cutthroat protected under the endangered species act.
Though the culvert replacement project is intended to improve the integrity of the cutthroat fishery in Henry's Lake extensive sediment releases during construction have had a negative impact to the spawning conditions in streams that are targeted for improved access to spawning habitat. Contractors botched sediment control measures during construction resulting in huge releases in sediment that had reportedly resulted in fish kills in Howard Creek and coated spawning habitat in Targhee Creek with layers of silt. The Army Corps of Engineers, the Idaho Department of Water Resources and The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency all had threatened to stop work on the project and/or levy fines during construction. Essentially the concerns were met with smug indifference by project contractors, though the ITD insisted that sediment control measures be implemented to complete the project shortly after Thanksgiving 2005.
Another feature of the project included revegetation of disturbed areas and in-stream habitat enhancements. Though there were concerns about the quality of the enhancement work efforts by volunteers have offset the problems with replanting and channel reconstruction.
Overall the project has shown itself to be a benefit to cutthroat trout in Henry's Lake. Fry production has been observed through fry trapping and it has increased significantly in the first reproductive season after the project. It is also hoped that lessons learned by ITD and its contractors during implementation of this enhancement project will benefit fisheries in future projects by increasing knowledge of sediment control measures common to construction projects in and near water.
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