Indian Creek Bull Trout Population
Overview
The Indian Creek population is one of three populations in the Rimrock Population Group. Indian Creek flows into the northwest end of Rimrock Reservoir, Indian Creek originates in the William O. Douglas Wilderness Area, and approximately five miles of the stream is accessible to bull trout below a waterfall that is a total barrier to upstream passage. The lower four miles of this reach is on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, with the upper mile in the wilderness area. Several springs contribute flow to Indian Creek in the accessible reach; other than these no perennial tributaries enter the Indian Creek below the barrier waterfall.
MOVE TO FMOwhich inundated an extensive meadow complex known as McAllister Meadows after impoundment in 1925.
Before impoundment Indian Creek was a tributary of the North Fork Tieton River. It becomes one again each year when the reservoir is drawn down and the North Fork Tieton River flows across the dry bed of the reservoir, usually between late September and mid-October.
TO THREATS: Fish passage conditions at the mouth of Indian Creek can deteriorate during this time period in dry years, although bull trout access was precluded only in 2001. Short reaches of the creek can experience dewatering in extremely dry years.
Population Information
Population Distribution and Life History
Indian Creek supports a single local population of bull trout, which displays an adfluvial life history type. It is possible that a resident component exists although this has not been confirmed. The primary spawning area for this population extends from the U.S. Highway 12 bridge to the barrier waterfall 4.3 miles upstream although occasionally a few fish have been observed spawning a short distance below the bridge, usually within about a tenth of a mile (the distance from the bridge to the mouth of the creek is about a half mile). Between 2.0 and 2.5 miles above the bridge several springs enter the creek. Two of these in particular All three springs contribute significant flow and are utilized for spawning. Juvenile bull trout use the entire length of Indian Creek for rearing. Rimrock Lake provides FMO habitat for subadult and adult fish (Figure 11).
Adult bull trout enter the creek in late August/early September just prior to commencement of spawning (James 2002a). The spawning period for the Indian Creek population occurs primarily during the month of September but can extend through mid-October. In 2024 during a culvert replacement on Andy Creek (a seasonal tributary to rimrock lake only 0.25 miles from Indian Creek) the Washington Department of Transportation found several sub-adult bull trout taking refuge in the pool below the culvert. More surveys are needed to collect genetic and distribution data, however, it is likely the bull trout originated from Indian Creek.
Natural Barriers limiting distribution
Approximately five miles upstream of the confluence with the North Fork Tieton River, there is a waterfall that is thought to be a total barrier to upstream passage. However, in 2022 two surveyors from Mid-Columbia Fisheries noted a probable bull trout redd not far upstream of the falls?? (zac??). At the barrier falls, the majority of the flow comes from a steep cascade on river-right which originates from another spring while the remainder of the flow falls down a different cascade on river-left and originates from Apple and Pear Lakes.
Population Genetics
The Indian Creek population is genetically distinct from all other populations in the Yakima Basin including the other adfluvial populations residing in Rimrock Lake to which it is physically connected (South and North Fork Tieton rivers). To determine genetic variability within bull trout populations in the Yakima River basin, Reiss (2003) analyzed genetic samples collected from post-spawn adults in Indian Creek in 1996. All genetic samples that have been analyzed to date were collected from post-spawn adults captured in 1996 in a box trap deployed in the creek, although additional juvenile samples were collected in 2011. Anything to edit or add from updated USFWS genetic collection?? Connectivity and thus the potential for genetic exchange with downstream populations in the Naches River fluvial system was eliminated by the construction of Tieton Dam in 1925. Recent work by USFWS (grey literature? citation?) suggest entrainment rates are higher than previously thought. Bull Trout entrained through Tieton dam may be contributing genetics to fluvial populations in the Naches river system.
Population Monitoring
In 1982 a snorkel survey was conducted on Indian Creek and found bull trout and cutthroat trout but no brook trout (Plum Creek TImber Company 1993). Shortly thereafter in 1984, exploratory spawning surveys began with complete surveys conducted since 1988. The Indian Creek bull trout population has received considerable attention since. In 1994, when Plum Creek Timber Company returned and conducted night surveys, only bull trout and whitefish were observed (Plum Creek Timber Company 1995). WHY WAS PLUM CREEK IN INDIAN CREEK? In work for her CWU Master’s degree, Sexauer studied life history aspects of bull trout in several Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest streams including Indian Creek, reporting on juvenile bull trout population densities and habitat use (Sexauer 1994; James and Sexauer 1997; Sexauer and James 1997). A CWU graduate student, Brenda James studied the feeding ecology of juvenile bull trout in the stream (James 1997). Paul James (2002a) studied the population status and life history characteristics of the Indian Creek population. WDFW snorkeled and electroshocked Indian Creek in 2003 as part of a project to develop a bull trout presence/absence sampling protocol (Hoffman et al. 2005). Larsen et al. (2003) examined these data in more detail with Peterson et al. (2005) providing final analysis.
Add a note about trap and haul efforts and PIT monitoring
Anything about future Tieton Dam fish passage?
Other Distribution Data (eDNA, etc.) ? or include in narrative above?
-WDFW demographic data 2022-2023
-USFWS Trap and Haul data
Redd Survey Data
Complete redd surveys have been conducted on Indian Creek since 1988 from the U.S. Highway 12 bridge upstream to the barrier waterfall, a distance of 4.3 river miles. The index area includes a spring (South Spring) contributing single-channel flow, which enters the creek on the right bank at about the half-way point of the reach and another spring (North Spring) which enters from the left bank about a little further upstream. The latter is a spring complex with multiple channels of significant length, together totaling an estimated 0.25 mile? of spawning habitat. The surveyed index area covers nearly the entire length of the stream currently utilized for spawning. When did WDFW start monitoring the other spring? upper or lower south spring? Have they been lumped as one in the past?
Population Status and Trend
The number of redds observed in Indian Creek rose steadily over the first eight years of surveys to average over 200 between 1995 and 2000 (Figure 10). At the time the Indian Creek population was considered the strongest in the Yakima Basin. In 2001, redd numbers declined to an average of 94 redds with two particularly depressed years. It is speculated that this may have been the result of the large winter flood in 1996 that scoured the primary spawning and rearing area for multiple age classes. This could have affected adult recruitment five years later. Redd counts have increased since 2009 from 2007 to 2012, although not quite to the level observed during the peak period. In 2013 a major landslide occurred in Indian Creek, xxx more info xxx, which crashed spawning to a historic low. In the past decade, redd counts have been steadily increasing again to a high of 177 redds in 2023.
The USFWS (USFWS 1998) did not consider the Indian Creek population singularly, but considered the Rimrock “subpopulation” to be stable and increasing. Any new information from species status assessment?? WDFW similarly lumps the Rimrock adfluvial populations and rates the status of this stock as healthy (WDFW 2004). Given the spawning pattern evident over the last 25 years, it is difficult to determine a distinct trend for this population. To a great extent it appears to have recovered from the eight-year depression to be resilient enough to rebound from major disturbances. Counts obtained over the next few years may confirm this trend. At this point the population can still be considered one of the healthiest in the basin.
(Insert graph of redd counts; ideally via live link)
Habitat
Habitat Overview
Indian Creek is a relatively high elevation stream ranging from 2,900 feet at its mouth to about 3,700 feet at the upstream end of the spawning area. As mentioned previously, the upper mile (approximate) of the reach accessible to migratory bull trout is located in the wilderness. The remainder of the creek flows through the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and, with the exception of the half-mile reach extending from the US Highway 12 Bridge to Rimrock Reservoir, is also relatively undisturbed. Habitat conditions in this reach were most recently reported in a 1999 stream survey report (USFS 1999). This report describes a stream with multiple channels occurring in 15% of the length surveyed (3.5 miles) having an active floodplain of variable width. The riparian corridor was healthy but often set back some distance from the active channel. Partly because of this, Indian Creek fell well below Forest Plan standards for LWD. Since the presence of LWD is closely correlated with pool formation, the creek also fell well short of the standards for pool frequency and depth. In considering these observations it should be noted that well over a mile of the creek’s mainstem at the upstream end was not surveyed nor apparently were the two springs previously mentioned (see Population Distribution and Life History, Trend). The quality of spawning and rearing habitat in these areas is considered excellent by local biologists. Anything to update here?
Habitat quality in the reach below the bridge is not nearly as good as above it and diminishes appreciably closer to the mouth of the creek. on an annual basis by biologists conducting redd surveys in September.
Extent of available spawning and rearing habitat
Check above under overview of population distribution and life history? Pull down description or remove this sub heading
Habitat Monitoring
Field Habitat Surveys
Mongillo (1982) measured water quality parameters and zooplankton densities for Rimrock Reservoir. Sexauer (1994) surveyed habitat use by juvenile and pre-spawning adult bull trout. James (1997) measured and summarized habitat parameters and water temperature in Indian Creek and the North Spring of Indian Creek. The Forest Service did a stream survey on Indian Creek in 1999, using Hankin and Reeves survey protocol (Hankin and Reeves 1988; USFS 1999). In these surveys, data were collected on pool/riffle frequency, riparian and channel condition, substrate, LWD, and temperature. Croci (2001) and Harvester (2007) summarized temporary measures that were implemented to alleviate upstream adult bull trout passage impediments due to drought conditions, resulting low flows, low reservoir levels, and a wide, shallow steam channel.
During annual spawning surveys, the following observations have been made: low flows and split channels occasionally impede upstream migration, generally near Trail 1147 crossing at the end of the Indian Creek Road. Passage into the North Spring was inhibited by a natural woody debris jam starting in 2020 and became passable again in 2023. The upper extent of passage in the Lower South Spring is a large inactive beaver dam that has been documented since xxx? In 2010, a high intensity rain event caused a delivery of high sediment from upland areas into the spawning and rearing area adjacent to the North Spring area of Indian Creek. Another large weather event in 2013 caused XXXXX
Banish (2003) measured bull trout microhabitat and mesohabitat in 10 Eastern Washington and Oregon streams. Banish conducted day- and night-time snorkeling in Indian Creek. He pooled his data, however, and did not report results for individual steams. Polacek and James (2003) studied diel microhabitat use of age-0 bull trout in Indian Creek. Microhabitat variables included water depth and velocity, distance from the stream bottom, habitat and refuge use, substrate type, and substrate embeddedness.
Anything to add? Any surveys from Zac prior to SRFB request? Mention SRFB habitat request?
Stream Temperature Data
Indian Creek at the Highway 12 crossing was monitored for temperature via thermographs deployed during the summer low flow period in 10 out of 11 years from 1997-2007 (USFS 2011a). Other thermographs were deployed in and around the spring tributaries in 2000. Temperature data since from 2007 to 201X is a monitoring gap. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service started monitoring temperature again in 2020? at the site of their PIT antenna, 0.25? miles upstream of the US 12 bridge. In fall of 2023, Mid-Columbia Fisheries started monitoring temperature in the North Spring, with several more thermographs deployed in the other springs and the mainstem in April of 2024. Monitoring is expected to continue as long as there is funding for equipment, time and maintenance of thermographs.
The United States Forest Service NorWeST Stream Temperature Model predicts the coldest available habitat (0-8 degrees C) in Indian Creek to shrink by 2080, but remain less than 12 C throughout the next several decades. Recent temperature monitoring suggests that cold water (4-6 C) is consistently produced in the springs mentioned above, year-round.
With new temperature data showing consistent cold water habitat in Indian Creek, it is important to note the importance of this stream as a refuge as other nearby stream temperatures rise due to climate change.
Other Habitat Data/Monitoring
Anything to put here? Keep this sub-heading?
Threats
Connectivity
Fish Passage Barriers (Check/update FDSI)
Significant Threat
Tieton Dam
Occassional wood jams
A final issue of moderate concern is passage conditions at the mouth of Indian Creek in late summer. Passage for pre-spawn bull trout may be impeded when flows and the reservoir volume are low such as occurred in 2001 when remedial measures had to be taken to reestablish connectivity. As of XXX year, WDFW fish passage biologists have monitored the alluvial fan of Indian Creek throughout the summer, opening passage or blocking of small braided channels to increase success of passage through one main channel.
Entrainment
No irrigation diversions or other sources of entrainment are located on Indian Creek. Indian Creek fish are subjected to downstream entrainment through Tieton Dam, after which they are unable to return upstream to Rimrock Lake and Indian Creek.
MOVE TO FMO SECTION?
As was noted above, Rimrock Lake bull trout are entrained in the outlet works of Tieton Dam. The population-scale impact of entrainment on the Indian Creek population or either of the other two adfluvial populations residing in the lake has not been quantified. Estimates have been derived on the number of fish entrained. Three years of entrainment monitoring occurred in the early 2000s. James (2002b) estimated that the number of bull trout entrained ranged from 46–87 in 2001 and Hiebert et al. (2002; 2003) estimated the entrainment loss to be 145 bull trout in 2002 and 140 in 2003. Underwood and Cramer (2007) used data from these entrainment studies, as well as James’ population data to create a life cycle model that was used to simulate effect of entrainment on long-term population dynamics. Any updated entrainment data?
During the 2005 construction of the Tieton hydroelectric project a fish salvage effort was conducted; 37 bull trout were captured in the stilling basin directly below Tieton Dam (Ackerman 2005). Genetic samples were collected from these fish, and 11 were assigned to the Indian Creek population (Small et al. 2009). Additional evidence of entrained bull trout surviving and migrating within the Yakima Basin comes from a single fish that was captured and sampled at Roza Dam in 2004. This fish genetically assigned to the Indian Creek population (see Genetics Baseline). Courter and Cramer subsequently reported on higher survival estimates for entrained bull trout post-construction of the hydroelectric project, with estimated mortality reduced from 85% to 45% (Courter and Vaughan 2011).
Dewatering due to flow management
When Rimrock Lake is drawn down, Indian Creek
Other?
Land-use Issues
Forestry
the most recent timber harvest in the vicinity occurred over 20 years ago and no harvesting occurred near the riparian corridor; recent thinning???
Agriculture and Grazing
No agricultural activities occur in the watershed, and livestock grazing has not occurred in the area to any significant degree for over a century. CONFIRM W GARY
Recreation
THREAT RATING: 2012 rating of unknown, significant; 2023 threats summary table assessment????
Above Highway 12 recreational impacts on of Rattlesnake Creek is fairly limited due to limited access (the main use is by hikers and horse packers using the Indian Creek trail to access the William O. Douglas wilderness area). Occasional rock dams have been found in the lower reaches. Aimee??
Below Highway 12, the bottom 1/3 mile of Indian Creek sees heavy recreational use, including motorized use. The Indian Creek campground (a large, developed US Forest Service Campground), numerous cabins on US Forest Service land and the private Silver Beach Resort are located just to the east; there are also a moderate number of Forest Service lease cabins just to west of the creek. The riparian disturbance from the homes is minimal; some bank erosion occurs during snowmelt runoff in the spring. The campground does not significantly contribute to habitat degradation, but the activities of campers sometimes do. Wood, presumably for campfires, is often removed from the creek, but the larger issue is the construction of recreational dams that may impede upstream fish passage. These obstructions are found and dismantled regularly by WDFW fish passage technicians and Mid-Columbia Fisheries Bull Trout Task Force (BTTF). Fishing impacts are addressed in a separate threat category below.
The Rimrock Grand Prix motorcycle race occurs at Silver Beach Resort each fall, with most of the racecourse on the dry reservoir bed. Concerns have been raised about impacts on bull trout. WDFW and other partners have worked closely with the Dust Dodgers motorcycle club to minimize impacts on bull trout habitat during this event. The club has built bridges, signed routes, etc. (SEE ACTION ???). In 2023 BTTF technicians were on-site during the race to help keep racers out of the creek, but reported that signage was great and everyone was respectful of the rules.
Roads and Development
Highway 12 crosses Indian Creek just above its mouth; the bridge does not appear to restrict floodplain function, as it is located at a natural bedrock constriction of the channel. The lower section of the creek is paralleled by a Forest Service road (1308) for about three miles but its average distance from the stream is approximately 1,000 feet with a minimum distance of 300 feet. This road has been closed since ??, when a tributary crossing washed out. Overall road density in the watershed is very low.
The lower 1/3 of a mile of Indian Creek is surrounded by cabins, campgrounds and the Silver Beach Resort, as described above under Recreation.
Mining
No issues related to mining have been identified in the Indian Creek watershed. Only one exploratory mining site is known; the Indian Creek Cinnabar Property[1] watershed was accessed by a jeep trail in the 1950s (visible as a trail headed up the draw to the east of Indian Creek just downstream of the falls on the USGS topographic map).
Other
No other land use issues have been identified.
Ecological Interactions
Brook Trout
Although no brook trout were observed in the initial 1982 snorkel survey of Indian Creek the species’ presence has since been confirmed by the Hoffman study cited above and by Polacek and James (2003) who reported that bull trout were the predominant species in the creek but brook trout were also present at much lower densities (along with cutthroat trout, mountain whitefish, and sculpin). It has also been confirmed that hybridization between bull and brook trout has occurred, although this confirmation comes from the analysis of just one genetic sample collected from a juvenile fish in 1998 (Small et al. 2009). ADD DAYAN INFO Add section about further confirmation of Indian Creek hybridization (USFWS??)
Other Invasive Species
Lake and brown trout are not present in Indian Creek and Rimrock Reservoir. Other invasive species issues have not been identified.
Diminished Prey Base
Indian Creek bull trout would once have had access to juvenile chinook, steelhead and coho salmon that spawned throughout the Tieton and Naches watersheds. This food source was eliminated when Tieton Dam was completed in 1925. However, the reservoir created by the dam, Rimrock Lake, was stocked with kokanee and has proven productive enough to support relatively large populations of large adfluvial bull trout in the Lake's tributaries (see FMO section for more information).
Disease
Disease issues have not been noted for the Indian Creek population.
Water Quantity and Quality
Flow issues/dewatering
Indian Creek upstream of the Rimrock Lake reservoir bed has an essentially natural hydrograph. Dewatering within the upper spawning reaches has been occasionally observed. In 2012, this was not believed to be a significant threat, but since ~2020, dewatering has been observed in most years in late summer/early fall upstream of the North Spring confluence to the 1147 trail crossing. Low flows in this dewatering braided reaches likely does preclude fish passage for part of the season.
Fish passage issues in where Indian Creek crosses the bed of Rimrock Reservoir are addressed above under connectivity.
Current and modeled future temperature conditions
Indian Creek is modelled to maintain relatively cold temepratures into the future... DAvid pointing to SSA looking at miles at temp ex (iFrame of NORWEST results?) Zac notign redds clustering based on temperature; could do for all pops...
Other changes in hydrology
Address debris flows?
Fisheries Impacts
Angling Regulations/Fisheries Use/Poaching
The 6 miles of Indian Creek below the barrier falls has been closed to fishing since the 1990s. 2023 regulation changes were made to ensure that the channel of Indian Creek and the North Fork Tieton River are closed to fishing when the reservoir is drawn down. Fishing does occur in Rimrock Lake (see Rimrock FMO section), and poaching has been reported in the past by the mouth of Indian Creek.
REFERENCE TO 2012 APPENDICES
Fisheries Management/Monitoring
No ongoing fish sampling or tagging is occurring in Indian Creek at this time, . Indian Creek fish have been tagged at the North Fork Tieton fish trap.
???Note 1) fish sampling/tagging, 2) any rescue, capture or release of fish, other fisheries managment work with potential impacts on fish health and survival. REFERENCE pop monitoring for details? TRY ALINK TO HEADER
Other Threats
Low Population Resiliency
???combines small pop and limited habitat capacity???
Other
???Are aliens known to be abducting fish from this creek???
TEST
Summary of Primary Limiting Factors and Threats
Tied to stuff from SSA
Several of the highest severity threats to this population result from the presence of Tieton Dam (passage barriers, entrainment and prey base). The dam precludes gene flow with downstream Naches River fluvial populations, entrains adult and subadult fish during irrigation withdrawal, and has eliminated anadromy in Indian Creek. Other high and medium severity threats include passage barriers caused by recreational dams, illegal angling in Rimrock Lake, documented introgression with brook trout, and recreation activities, particularly the annual Rimrock Motocross event.?
Low abundance is identified as a potential threat due to unstable abundance trends in this population, although recent redd counts have been high.(Look at threat summary table format and Teanaway example)
Recovery Strategy
Population-level Recovery Strategy
(High-level discussion of priority needs)
*** Old Narrative: This population has been identified as a “Protection” population with a priority for continuation of population monitoring but with limited immediate restoration actions recommended. Spawning and rearing habitat is excellent and fed by very cold spring water. Highest priority actions include outreach to document angling pressures and educate anglers and recreationists; annual removal of recreation dams and monitoring of passage conditions at the mouth; and rerouting of the Rimrock Motocross event. Certain threats will require additional monitoring prior to developing and implementing actions. Brook trout introgression has been documented but eradication of brook trout will be a difficult if not impossible task. Similarly, implementing carcass analog placement to address lack of marine derived nutrients will likely only happen after a successful pilot study is implemented elsewhere in the basin and the measure is deemed necessary. The reservoir contains a healthy population of reproducing kokanee salmon providing an abundant food source for Indian Creek bull trout. Passage at Tieton Dam is a Broad Scale Action that will be implemented on a different time schedule than the other actions listed above. Nonetheless passage is critical to the long-term genetic health of the population.
Monitoring Needs/Key Questions
Actions
Completed Bull Trout Recovery Actions
(Mix of narrative and table, or could be a database)
- Fishing regulations implemented to protect bull trout in Indian Creek (see Appendix F).
Recommended Actions
(Link to or summarize BTAP database)
Relevant Multiple Population Actions
- Multiple Populations #1: Outreach on bull trout conservation issues (cabin owners, recreationists, anglers, school groups, and others).
- Multiple Populations #1: Identify recreational dams annually and remove as necessary.
- Multiple Populations #5: Carcass analog placement if pilot studies demonstrate success.
- Multiple Populations #8: Manage Tieton Dam operations to reduce entrainment
- Multiple Populations #9: Periodic entrainment studies at storage dams.
Indian Creek Actions
- Indian Action #1: Ensure no impacts from motorized use of the reservoir bed
- Indian Action #2: Test for genetic trends over time
- Indian Action #3: Monitor and address passage in Indian Creek
- Indian Action #4: Stream and Habitat Restoration
Actions in the Yakima Steelhead Recovery Plan that benefit this population
Update Notes
2012 BTAP text copied into Yakipedia and edited to match new format in October 2024 by Aimee Taylor. ADD LINK TO 2012 BTAP pdf placemark
Additional edits proposed by Alex Conley, aimee Taylor and Rimrock populations small group. Reviewed, and updated and appproved by BTWG in Nov 2024.
Specific detail on out of cycle updates
References
- ↑ The Diggins (10/28/2024). "Indian Creek Cinnabar Property".
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