Crow Creek Bull Trout Population

Overview

Crow Creek is tributary of the Little Naches River, which originates in the Norse Peak Wilderness Area. The creek flows for approximately 20 miles to its confluence with the Little Naches River about four river miles above its confluence with the Bumping River. All but the lower 6.2 miles of Crow Creek are in the wilderness and its only tributaries are very small and tend to dry up seasonally.

Population Information

Population Distribution and Life History

Crow Creek supports a single local population of bull trout that displays a fluvial life history; a resident component may occur as well but this is unconfirmed. The creek is the only known bull trout spawning stream in the Little Naches drainage despite its large size and the presence of suitable habitat elsewhere. The spawning area for this local bull trout population extends from about a mile below the wilderness boundary (RM 5.2) to about 4.5 miles above with most spawning concentrated in the upper end of this reach (Figure 7). There is no known spawning activity in the smaller tributaries.

Juvenile bull trout rearing likely occurs throughout the length of Crow Creek. Adult FMO habitat includes the Little Naches River, the mainstem Naches River, and likely the Bumping and American rivers although this is unconfirmed. Timing of spawning migration is unknown but likely occurs in the late summer, similar to other Naches fluvial populations.

Insert Crow Creek subwatershed map.

Population Genetics

Results of genetic analyses show this population is genetically distinct from all other Yakima Basin populations but clusters with the other Naches River fluvial populations, indicating some degree of gene flow (Reiss 2003; Small et al. 2009). Juvenile samples for the baseline were collected in spawning and rearing areas above the wilderness boundary (Reiss 2003).

Population Monitoring

WDFW captured one bull trout while electroshocking in Crow Creek in September 1990 (Anderson 1990). Seven bull trout were observed during snorkel surveys to determine presence/absence in 1993 (Plum Creek TImber Company 1993; Plum Creek Timber Company 1995). Westslope cutthroat trout and rainbow/steelhead trout were observed during both of these monitoring efforts but it is important to note that no brook trout were observed. Juvenile bull trout samples were collected during snorkel surveys in 2001 (Reiss 2003).

Spawning surveys have been conducted annually since 1999 in the index area mentioned above. In addition, exploratory spawning surveys have been conducted in the Crow Creek basin above and below the index area. In 1999, the USFS surveyed from the top of the current index area to Crow Creek Lake (an additional 4 miles), and also ~1 mile of habitat on Crow Creek above the lake. In 2001 and 2009 WDFW repeated the extended survey to Crow Creek Lake. In 2000, WDFW surveyed from the lower end of the index area to the mouth of Crow Creek. No redds were found outside of the index area during any of these surveys.

Mizell and Anderson (2010) investigated the migratory behavior of bull trout in the Naches River and tributaries using radio telemetry. Overwintering bull trout in the Naches River were captured and tagged in 2003 and subsequently tracked to spawning grounds the following fall. Only one of these tagged bull trout was tracked into Crow Creek. This fish was genetically assigned to the Crow Creek population using the genetics baseline. One juvenile bull trout was captured in a trap near the mouth during the radio telemetry study, but was too small to radio tag. Some juvenile bull trout were observed in Crow Creek below the spawning grounds during snorkel surveys in 2005. None were of a size that allowed them to be radio tagged.

As mentioned above the Little Naches River watershed is large and contains apparently suitable bull trout habitat in streams other than Crow Creek. Many surveys have been conducted in the Little Naches River and various tributaries over the years (see Presence/Absence Survey); no bull trout have been found. There have been individual bull trout sightings reported throughout the Little Naches stream network but their origin is unknown (Anderson 2010).

Redd Surveys

The Crow Creek population spawns primarily during the month of September. Complete redd surveys have been conducted for this population since 1999. They are conducted in an index area, which extends from the wilderness boundary (RM 6.2) to about 4.3 miles above it. In 2008 and 2009, the index area was shortened to exclude the lower 1.8 miles of this reach as redds are rarely observed in this stretch. However, surveying of the full index area resumed in 2010 and is expected to continue in the foreseeable future.

Insert redd count graph

Population Status and Trend

The USFWS (1998) did not consider the Crow Creek population singularly but considered the Naches River “subpopulation” (i.e., all three Naches River fluvial populations) to be depressed with an unknown trend. WDFW similarly lumped the Naches fluvial populations and rated the status of this stock as critical (WDFW 2004).

This population appears to be quite small. After relatively high counts the first two years of surveying, the number of observed redds plummeted and has not bounced back (Figure 6). Since 2001 an average of only seven redds has been counted annually in Crow Creek.

Habitat

Habitat Overview

Crow Creek is a high gradient, high elevation stream with elevations ranging from 2,700 feet at its mouth to about 3,700 feet at the upstream extent of the known spawning area. Approximately 60% of the Crow Creek watershed, including the primary bull trout spawning area, is in the wilderness. The creek flows through National Forest land below the wilderness boundary to its confluence with the Little Naches River. Limited timber harvest outside of the riparian corridor occurred in the past but the area has regrown. As a result spawning and rearing habitat for bull trout is generally considered to be in good to excellent condition as is water quality and quantity. An exception is the area immediately upstream of the creek’s mouth where a popular Forest Service campground is located along the left stream bank along with a few off-road vehicle trails. Bank erosion and degraded of riparian vegetation are evident in this area.

FMO habitat for this population includes the Little Naches River, the mainstem Naches River, and perhaps the Bumping and American Rivers, although this has not been confirmed. The Little Naches River originates in the Norse Peak Wilderness but the river flows mostly through National Forest and private timberlands. The Little Naches watershed has a long history of human disturbance. Intense grazing of sheep and cattle occurred from the late 1880s through the 1950s. The watershed has been logged heavily with most of the private timberlands in the lower river valley completely harvested by the mid-1940s. Beginning in the mid-1970s and extending through the 1990s the upper watershed was heavily harvested. Primarily as a result of timber harvest operations, road densities in the watershed are extremely high. The watershed is one of the most popular recreational areas in the Yakima Basin, particularly for off-road vehicle enthusiasts. As a result, off-road trails are almost too numerous to count and the impacts on the stream and its tributaries have been significant. The major habitat concerns in the Little Naches watershed are excessive amounts of fine sediments, lack of deep pools, loss of habitat complexity, an absence of LWD, increased frequency and magnitude of peak stream flows, and high water temperatures (Haring 2001). Bull trout FMO habitat in the river is in extremely poor condition.

Climate Change impact on Habitat

THIS SECTION TO BE UPDATED AS ZAC COMPLETES TEMPERATURE MODELING

Habitat Monitoring

Field Habitat Surveys

The Forest Service conducted habitat surveys on Crow Creek in 1990 (12.6 miles) and in 2000 (5.0 miles) using the Hankin and Reeves protocol (1988). In these surveys data were collected on pool/riffle frequency, riparian and channel condition, substrate, LWD, and temperature. Many habitat surveys have been conducted in the mainstem Little Naches River and associated tributaries from 1988-2010. The 2001 data were used in a thesis project comparing the American and Little Naches rivers (Muir 2003).

In 2001, the Forest Service contracted aerial thermal infrared remote sensing surveys on the Little Naches River from the mouth to the confluence of the North and South forks (Watershed Sciences 2002). Accuracy of temperatures was confirmed with instream sensors. The flights were completed in early September and stream temperatures ranged from 12.8-15.5 °C. Crow Creek was measured at the confluence with the Little Naches River, and the temperature was 13.1 °C, providing a cooling influence.

The Forest Service and the Yakama Nation Timber Fish & Wildlife Program (TFW) have worked cooperatively to maintain a long-term data set of sediment monitoring data in the Little Naches drainage, although Crow Creek itself is not monitored (Matthews 2011). There are 10 reaches in the mainstem Little Naches River and tributaries (South and North forks, Bear and Pyramid creeks) that have been sampled every year from 1992 to present. This monitoring effort demonstrates an overall trend of reduced fine sediments in the substrate; monitoring will continue for the foreseeable future.

Stream Temperature Data

Temperature monitoring via thermographs deployed during the summer low flow period at two locations on Crow Creek has been sporadic, but some degree of monitoring occurred in 11 out of 15 years between 1991 and 2005 (USFS 2011a). Other thermographs were deployed throughout the Little Naches drainage at a variety of monitoring sites, primarily in the time period from 1998-2005. Temperature data since 2005 is a monitoring gap.

Threats

Connectivity

Fish Passage Barriers

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Entrainment

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Dewatering due to flow management

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Land-use Issues

Forestry

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Agriculture and Grazing

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Recreation

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Roads and Development

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Mining

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Ecological Interactions

Brook Trout

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Other Invasive Species

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Diminished Prey Base

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Disease

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Water Quantity and Quality

Flow issues/dewatering

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Current and modeled future temperature conditions

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Fisheries Impacts

Angling Regulations/Fisheries Use/Poaching (Recreational)

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Management/Monitoring (Research)

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Other Threats

Low Population Resiliency

Climate Change

Summary of Primary Limiting Factors and Threats

The most immediate threat to the Crow Creek population is an extremely low abundance of spawners (10 year geometric mean = 6 redds). This population is at high risk of extirpation. Threats that have contributed to the severe reduction in population viability include angling, lack of prey base, recreation, forest management, and passage barriers (i.e., recreational dams). Angling is open in Crow Creek as well as the Little Naches and Naches rivers; however due to difficult access into Crow Creek, it likely does not receive much fishing pressure. The extent of illegal angling of bull trout is unknown. Given the small population size, however, removing any adults could potentially have a significant effect. Currently there are steelhead, spring chinook and coho salmon spawning in the mainstem Little Naches River and lower reaches of Crow Creek, but in much lower numbers than historically. The primary spawning and rearing area for bull trout is above the wilderness boundary, but in the lower reaches of Crow Creek and in the Little Naches River (FMO habitat), recreation and forest management have caused habitat degradation and sedimentation issues. It is unknown to what extent the condition of habitat in the Little Naches River affects the Crow Creek population. Introduced brook trout are present in the Little Naches River but not in Crow Creek. The brook trout are not believed to present a significant threat to the population.

Altered flows, development, and transportation (paved roads) are present in the FMO habitat for this population but are not believed to be negatively affecting it. There is a grazing allotment in the Crow Creek drainage, but due to local topography, there are no effects on the creek or riparian corridor. The following threats are not present: agriculture, dewatering, entrainment, mining, and limited extent of habitat.

Recovery Strategy

Population-level Recovery Strategy

This population has been identified as an “Action” population. The most significant threat to the population (Low Abundance) will require continued, and preferably expanded, monitoring to confirm that all spawning activity is being documented. This is a high priority. If the extremely low abundance of spawning adults observed in recent years is confirmed the Crow Creek population is a candidate for evaluating the feasibility of supplementation (see Appendix D). Outreach to document angling pressures and to educate anglers and recreationists is a medium priority as are reducing recreational impacts and insuring no passage barriers exist near the mouth of the creek. There are few concerns relating to spawning and rearing habitat quality upstream of the mouth. Although restoration actions implemented in the Naches River would benefit this population, current conditions are not thought to be limiting. FMO habitat degradation is present in the Little Naches River (USFS 2011c). Actions to restore and protect habitat in the Little Naches River are a moderate priority for this population. The Broad Scale Actions that apply to the Crow Creek population include: Restore Healthy Salmon Populations and Passage at Major Storage Dams (Bumping and Rimrock). Revitalizing salmon and steelhead runs in the Yakima Basin would significantly improve the prey base for all bull trout life stages. Providing passage at the two storage dams in the Naches subbasin would benefit the Naches River fluvial bull trout populations in general.

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Actions

Future link/ iframe to PowerApp will go in this section.

Completed Bull Trout Recovery Actions

·       Fishing regulations have been implemented to protect bull trout in Crow Creek (see Appendix F).

·       In lower Crow Creek, restoration actions implemented include instream restoration to diversify habitat, and riparian fencing (USFS 2011c).

·      In the Little Naches drainage (FMO habitat), restoration actions implemented in the last 20 years include: instream work, riparian fencing, motorized trail and campsite relocations, streambank restoration, road restoration, and placement of an engineered log jam (USFS 2011c).

·      From 2003-2008 the Forest Service hired a “river ranger” to educate recreationists on fish and riparian habitat issues and to remove recreation dams.

Recommended Actions

Population Scale

• Multiple Populations #6: Floodplain acquisition/easements along the mainstem Naches River to benefit FMO habitat quality.
• Multiple Populations #1: Outreach on bull trout conservation issues (landowners, recreationists, anglers, school groups, and others).

• Multiple Populations #1: Monitor for recreational dams on an annual basis and remove as necessary.
• Multiple Populations #4: Evaluate supplementation (see Appendix D).

• Multiple Populations #5: Carcass analog placements if pilot studies demonstrate success.

Population Monitoring

·       Multiple Populations #2: Continue redd surveys within the established index area.

Continue to collect tissue samples from any bull trout captured within the Little Naches watershed and compare to the Crow Creek genetics baseline. Samples that do not assign back to this population or to one of the other Naches River populations may indicate unknown spawning areas in this watershed.

Baseline Habitat Monitoring

• Multiple Populations #3: Continue temperature monitoring throughout the Little Naches drainage.

Crow Creek Actions

• Crow Creek #2: Implement restoration actions in the Forest Service Little Naches River Action Plan including: floodplain road relocation/removal, channel complexity restoration, transportation management (road improvement, storage, retention, or obliteration), floodplain recreation management, upsizing culverts to improve capacity and aquatic organism passage, floodplain large wood supplementation, and removal of non-native plant species within riparian areas.
• Crow Creek #3: Relocate (set back) Crow Creek campground at mouth away from current location directly on the creek.
• Crow Creek #4: Acquisition of private land holdings in the Little Naches watershed..
• Crow Creek #1: Periodic expanded spawning surveys above and below current index area.
• Crow Creek #5: Continue sediment-monitoring program in Little Naches drainage.

Actions in the Yakima Steelhead Recovery Plan that benefit this population

Naches River Action #5: Restore lower Naches River floodplain

Naches River Action #7: Protect habitats in Naches River mainstem above Tieton confluence

Naches River Action #8: Maintain, upgrade or abandon forest roads

Naches River Action #9: Provide passage at Bumping Lake Dam

Naches River Action #11: Restore side channels and floodplain of the Little Naches River

Naches River Action #13: Reduce dispersed recreation impacts in key tributaries

Naches River Action #14: Protect habitat in the Little Naches River

Update Notes

2012 BTAP text copied into Yakipedia and edited to match new format in February 2025 by Aimee Taylor. ADD LINK TO 2012 BTAP pdf placemark

Additional edits proposed by Alex Conley, Aimee Taylor and XXXXXXX small group. Reviewed, and updated and approved by BTWG in XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Specific detail on out of cycle updates: