SURVEY OF THE COLUMBIA RIVER
AND ITS TRIBUTARIES - Part VI

Marine Bhiopiral L^lsou

tofy

L I B R A K Y

NOV 171950

WOODS HOLE, MASS.

SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC REPORT: FISHERIES No. 39

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

Explanatory Note

The series embodies results of investigations, usually of
restricted scope, intended to aid or direct management or
utilizetion practices and as guides for administrative or
legislative action. It is issued in limited quantities for the
official use of Federal, State or cooperating agencies and in
processed form for economy and to avoid delay in publication.

Washington, D. C.
October 1950

United States Department of the Interior
Oscar L. Chapman, Secretary
Fish and Wildlife Service
Albert M. Day, Director

Special Scientific Report - Fisheries
No. 39

SURVEY OF THE COLUMBIA RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES

Part 6

Area V - Snake River system from the
mouth through the Grande Ronde River

By

Zell E. Parkhurst
Fishery Research Biologist

CONTENTS

Page

Introduction 2

Part 1. Main Snake River and tributaries, exclusive of

sub-areas* •••••••••• • 1

List of Streams 4

The Survey 5

Table of Obstructions and Diversions 16

Part 2, Sub-area Clearwater River • • 17

Introduction • 17

List of Streams 19

The Survey . 21

Table of Obstructions and Diversions. 30

Part 3. Sub-area Grande Ronde River 31

Introduction 31

List of Streams •• 33

The Survey 36

Table of Obstructions and Diversions 57

ILLUSTRATIONS

Figure Page

1. Columbia River System 1

2. Tucannon and Asotin River Systems. • . • • • 3

S» Clearwater, Salmon, and Tfeiser River Systems ..... 18

4* Power dam near the mouth of the Clearwater River ... 20

5* Grande Ronde River System ......32

6. Lower seotion of the Grende Ronde River 35

7. A section of the upper Grande Ronde River 38

8. FiBhway and diversion dam for the City of Union. ... 48

9» A wire-covered rock irrigation diversion dam on

Catherine Creek. ................... 50

EAI-Mouth of Columbia R. thru Klickitat R.Wash.
AREA I-Mouth of Columbia R. 1
^REAm- Above Klickitat R. to Grand Coulee Di
AREAE-Deschutes R. to Snoke R.
AREA IT- Snake R., mouth thru Grande Ronde R.
ARE ATZI- Snake R., above Grande Ronde R. thru Payette R.
AREASH-Snake R., above Payette R. to Upper Salmon Falls

COLUMBIA RIVER SYSTEM

SCALE

50 SO 10

Figure 1. --Columbia River System

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of the Columbia River Stream Survey has been to pro-
vide data for the evaluation of each stream, or portion of stream,
from the standpoint of Its present and potential value In relation to
the maintenance of the salmon resources of the Columbia River* The
Columbia River -watershed has been divided Into several survey areas
or units* This report deals with the streams in Area V, as shown in
Figure 1*

Area V Includes the lower Snake River and its tributaries from the
mouth to the confluence of the Grande Ronde River, a distance of approx-
imately 170 miles along the Snake River* The major tributaries of pos-
sible value to salmon in this area are the Tucannon, Asotin, Clearwater*
and Grande Ronde Rivers* This area was formerly of great importance in
the production of Chinook, silver, and blueback salmon and steelhead
trout* Its productivity has been greatly reduced as a result of the
construction of dams and the diversion of water for irrigation and power*
The runs of blueback salmon have been exterminated, but the area still
retains some value as a producer of the other species* In addition,
the main stem of the Snake River in this area is an important migration
route to spawning and rearing areas farther upstream*

Various individuals have had a part in the field work and, so far
as possible, the names of those who made the observations upon 'which
the following account is based and the dates on -which the surveys were
made are given in connection with the treatment of each stream* For
convenience a complete list of the men who were engaged in the survey
of Area V is given herewith t F«G. Bryant, R.E. Burrows, L.S.Christey,
D.G. Frey, M.G. Hanavan, W.M. Morton, Z.E* Parkhurst, R.F. Shuman,
A* J* Suomela, J.L. Wilding, and P.D. Zimmer*

E

o o _ _ — _
o o ui tn u) to

PART 1
MAIN SNAKE RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES
( Exclusive of sub-areas )

List of Streams

Page

Main Snake River • U

1. Palouse River U

2. Tucannon River • k

A* Kellogg Creek 6

B. Smith Hollow Creek • 6

C. Pataha Creek 6

D. Tumalum Creek • 6

E. Cummings Creek • 6

F. Watermelon Creek • 7

G. Grub Canyon Creek 7

H. Little Tucannon River 7

I. Panjab Creek 7

(1) Meadow Creek 8

(2) Turkey Creek • 8

J* Sheep Creek 8

K. Bear Creek 8

3. Alkali Flat Creek 8

h. Deadman Creek • 8

5* Penawawa Creek ••••• 8

6, Almota Creek • 8

7* Steptoe Creek 8

8, Alpowa Creek • 9

A, Page Creek 9

B. Powahkee Creek 9

9* Clearwater River (See Part 2 ) • • • 16

10. Asotin Creek 9

A. George Creek • 11

B. Charley Creek 11

C. North Fork, Asotin Creek 12

(1) Lick Creek 12

D. South Fork, Asotin Creek 12

11. Tenmile Creek 13

12. Couse Creek •• 13

13« Grande Ronde River (See Part 3) 28

The Survey

Main Snake River,— The Snake River joins the Columbia
River approximately 32U~miles above the mouth. It is the largest
tributary to the Columbia River, extending for a distance of more
than 1,000 miles. It flows through southeastern Washington, forms
part of the western boundary of Idaho, and extends through south-
ern Idaho to the continental divide in Wyoming, Its drrinage area
comprises more than 5-09,000 square miles. Gaging station records
for the water-years 1909-193$, taken at a station 68 miles above the
mouth, show discharges ranging from a maximum of 270,000 c.f.s. in
May to a minimum of 10,600 c.f.s. in August and September, The
mean discharge was 1*9,070 c.f.s. The flood of June, 189U reached
a crest of about U09,000 c.f.s. near the same station, and the
flood of May, 19U8 reached a peak of 368,000 c.f.s, near Clarkston,
13U miles above the mouth. The discharge at the mouth is somewhat
higher than these figures, but reliable data are not available.

From the mouth to Lewis ton, Idaho, a distance of approxi-
mately 11*0 miles, the Snake Riv£r has a moderate gradient and some
extensive spawning areas.

1. Palouse River, — (Not surveyed) The Palouse River enters
the Snake River approximately 60 miles above the mouth* It is a
large river abofct 150 miles long. A high falls located about 6
miles above the mouth renders the stream inaccessible to migratory
fish.

2. Tucannon River.— (February 2-8,193$, and June 18-19, 193$J
Suomela, Shuman, and Burrows.) The Tucannon River enters the Snake
River approximately 63 miles above the mouth. The stream is about
60 miles long, of which the lower 53 miles were surveyed. Near the
mouth the stream had an average width of SO-60 feet. The discharge
at the mouth on February 2, 193$ was 180 c.f.s. Oaging-station
records for the period of September, 1913 through September, 191U,
taken at a station 2$ miles above the mouth show discharges ranging
from a maximum of 29h c.f.s. in April and May, to a minimum of $9
c.f.s. in August. The water temperature ranged from 36°F. to U3°F«
in February, and from U*°F. to 53°F. in June. The gradient is
moderate in the lower U9 miles, and becomes fairly steep in the
upper U miles of the section surveyed. There are numerous good
shallow riffles and an adequate number of resting pools well distri-
buted throughout the stream course. It was estimated that there
were 1,091,000 sq. yd. of medium and small rubble, constituting 9U
percent of the total bottom in the section surveyed. A significant
portion of the medium and small rubble constituted excellent salmon
spawning area.

It is difficult for fish to enter the Tucannon River at
low water stages because of a delta that has been formed at the
mouth by flood action. This section is in need of channel improve-
ment.

The power and irrigation dirersion dan near Starbuck, Wash-
ington, approximately 5i miles above the mouth, is a barrier at low
water to the upstream migration of fish. Almost the entire flow at
water stages ia taken by the power diversion, and consequently
the main attraction to fish is at the tailrace of the power plant.
The 1 mile section of river channel between the intake and the power
house tailrace is virtually dry during the summer months. The diver-
sion at this point on February 3, 1935, was 66£ c.f.s., of which
55i c.f.s. was used for power and 11 c.f.s. for irrigation. The di-
version has been screened by the Washington State Fisheries Department.

The upper De Ruwe dam, located approximately 16 miles above
the mouth, is a barrier to fish at low water* This dam is about 5
feet high, and is reported to block at least part of the chinook run.
The dam was originally built to supply water for a power diversion,
but is now used to supply an irrigation diversion. An old fish
ladder at one end of the dam was filled with mud and debris and over-
grown with willows at the time of the survey, and was entirely use-
less. At the time of the survey (February 1935) there was consid-
erable discharge over the spillway, and only 2 c.f.s. were being
diverted into the irrigation canal. During the summer irrigation
season dam boards are placed across the 10 foot wide spillway crest,
and most of the flow is diverted into the unscreened irrigation ditch.

A total of 31 diversions withdrawing 128 c.f.s. were found on
the Tucannon River* Irrigation ditches were taking 72 c.f.s., and
the remainder was being used for power. It was reported that three
of these ditches have been screened by the Washington State Fisheries
Department. The total amount of water diverted during the irrigation
season was not determined, as many temporary wing dams are then in-
stalled. It is doubtful if by-passes are used to return irrigation
water to the main river during the irrigation season. There is also
little ground return from these ditches in this semi-arid region.

Steelhead trout appear in the Tucannon in January, February,
March, and April, with a small fall run also reported. A considerable
run of steelhead still entered the river at the time of the survey
(1935), although these fish were not nearly as abundant as in earlier
years.

The last large run of chinook salmon was reported to have
occurred in 1915* It was reliably estimated that at that time an
average of 500 salmon per day entered the river during the spawning
migration, which lasts through May and June. At the time of the survey
it was reported that an average of 50 salmon per day entered the stream
during the spawning migration, or a total of approximately 3,000 fish.
It was reported that chinook salmon spawning is at its peak about the
middle of August. Until 1922 or 1923 a run of chinook salmon also was
reported to enter the stream in the fall months. Apparently this run
also has been greatly depleted.

The last run of silver salmon that was observed to enter
the stream occurred in October, 1929* A small number of these fish
probably still appear©

In 1938 the Columbia River Investigation made an attempt to
determine the size of the Chinook run in the Tucannon River* A
counting weir was installed at a point 2 miles above the mouth, but
recurrent flash floods washed it out on several occasions, preventing
an accurate count* However, it was shown that the run had been
depleted to a negligible size. Only 2U Chinook salmon were observed
to pass through the weir, and later a careful check of the stream
failed to disclose any spawning activity* It was reported that a
total of 26 Chinook salmon were taken by sports fishermen during the
same season*

The Tucannon is apparently of little value as a salmon pro-
ducer at present* However, it has excellent potential value, and
could support a good run if provisions were made for the passage of
fish over existing obstructions, and all diversions were adequately
screened to prevent the destruction of downstream migrants*

2A* Kellogg Creek*-— (February, 1935} Suomela and Burrows*)
Kellogg Creek enters the Tucannon River at Starbuck, k miles above
the mouth* The stream is small and intermittent, and of no value
to migratory fish*

2B. Smith Hollow Creek*— (February, 1935; Suomela and
Burrows.) Smith Hollow Creek enters the Tucannon River about 8
miles above the mouth* The stream is small and intermittent, and
of no value to migratory fish*

2C* Pataha Creek* — (April 28, 1937; Suomela and Burrows*)
Pataha Creek enters the Tucannon River approximately 11 miles above
the mouth* The stream is about 35 miles long. At the time of
observation it was discharging about h c.f.s. It was reported that
the stream nearly always becomes dry during the summer* There are
no runs of migratory fish into Pataha Creek, and it is of no potential
value to them.

2D* Tumalum Creek*— (June 18, 1935; Suomela and Shuman.)
Tumalum Creek enters the Tucannon River approximately 32^ miles above the
mouth* It is a small stream, and of no value to migratory fish*

2E* Cummings Creek*— (June 18, 1935; Suomela and Shuman*)
Cummings Creek enters the Tucannon River approximately 3U miles above
the mouth* The stream is about 12 miles long, of which the lower 6
miles were surveyed* It is too small and steep above the terminus
of the survey to be of value to salmon. At a point 2\ miles above
the mouth the stream was 10 feet wide and flowing at a rate of about

8 c.f.s. The water temperature ranged from U7°F. to 53°F. The
gradient is moderate in the lower 5 miles, and becomes steep in
the upper section. There are numerous shallow riffles and small
pools throughout the section surveyedo It was estimated that
there were 23,000 sq. yd. of medium and small rubble constituting
7U percent of the stream bed in the section surveyedo A large
part of the stream bed provides excellent spawning area.

Two small irrigation diversions were found on Cummings
Creek. The first, located about 1/2 mile above the mouth, was not
in use at the time of inspection but had a capacity of about 2
c.f.s. The second, located about a mile above the mouth, was with-
drawing about 2 c.f.s. There were no fish protective devices* The
wing dams in connection with these diversions were not barriers to
fish,

Cummings Creek formerly supported a good Chinook salmon
population, but there has been no Chinook run in recent years. A
good spring run of steelhead trout still enters the stream, and
there is also a large population of resident rainbow trout in the
upper section* The stream is of excellent potential value to
salmon*

2F* Watermelon Creek* — (June 18, 1935 J Suomela and Shuman*)
Watermelon Creek enters the Tucannon River approximately 39 miles
above the mouth. It is a small, short stream, and of no value to
salmon*

2G. Grub Canyon Creek,— (June 18, 1935; Suomela and Shuman.)
Grub Canyon Creek enters the Tucannon River approximately Ul^ miles
above the mouth. It is a small, short stream, and of no value to salmon*

2H* Little Tucannon River, — (April 28, 1937; Suomela and
Burrows*) The Little Tucannon River enters the Tucannon River approxi-
mately Uii miles above the mouth, and extends for about 6 miles* It
has a steep gradient with many cascades, and a stream bed composed
chiefly of large rubble and boulders. The discharge was about U c.f.s.
at the time of observation* Because of its small size and lack of
good spawning area the stream is of little possible value to salmon
or steelhead*

21. Panjab Creek*— (June 19, 1935; Suomela and Shuman*)
Panjab Creek enters the Tucannon River approximately U6 miles above
the mouth* The stream is about 8 miles long, of which the lower k
miles were surveyed up to the mouth of Turkey Creek* Above this
point the stream was flowing less than 5 c.f.s,, and was too small
and steep to be of more than slight possible value to salmon* The
stream was 19 feet wide at the mouth, and was discharging about 60
c.f.s* The gradient is fairly steep and the velocity is high, being
3-1; feet per second throughout the section surveyed. The water tempera-
ture ranged from U5°F to U9°F, There are many fast riffle areas, and

numerous good large resting pools. It was estimated that there
were 22,000 sq. yd. of medium and small rubble constituting 75
percent of the stream bed in the section surveyed. There are no
obstructions or water diversions. Rainbow trout are abundant
and a good spring run of steelhead trout is reported, Panjab
Creek appeared to be more suitable for trout than for salmon,
and it was reported that salmon did not enter the stream,

2I-(1), Meadow Creek, — (June 19, 1935} Suomela and Shuman.)
Meadow Creek enters Panjab Creek approximately 2^ miles above the mouth
and extends for approximately 7 miles. It was 18 feet wide at the
mouth and discharging about 35 c.f.s. at the time of observation.
It is similar in character to Panjab Creek.

2I-(2), Turkey Creek,-- (June 19, 1935 J Suomela and Shuman.)
Turkey Creek enters Panjab Creek approximately h miles above the
mouth and is about h miles long. At the time of observation it
was discharging about 20 c.f.S. It is similar in character to
Panjab Creek,

2 J, Sheep Creek. — (June 19, 1935} Suomela and Shuman.)
Sheep Creek enters the Tucannon River approximately 5o£ miles
above the mouth. It is a small, short stream, and of no value
to salmon,

2K, Bear Creek. — (June 19, 1935} Suomela and Shuman.) Bear
Creek enters the Tucannon River approximately 53 miles above the
mouth. It is a small, short stream, and of no value to salmon.

There are a number of small intermittent streams entering
the Snake River in the 77 mile section between the mouths of the
Tucannon and Clearwater Rivers, None of these is of any value to
salmon. They include the following five streams:

3, Alkali Flat Creek.— Enters the Snake River approximately
67 miles above the mouth, at Riparia, Washington,

U. Deadman Creek,— Enters the Snake River approximately 85
miles above the mouth.

5, Penawawa Creek, — Enters the Snake River approximately 93 miles
above the mouth.

6, Almota Creek.— Enters the Snake River approximately 105
miles above the mouth.

7, Steptoe Creek. — Enters the Snake River approximately 129
miles above the mouth.

8. Alpowa Creek. — (April 26, 1937; Suomela and Burrows.)
Alpowa Creek enters the Snake River approximately 131 miles above
the mouth. The stream is about 22 miles long, of which the lower
11 miles were inspected. The stream had an average width of 8

feet in the section observed, and was flowing about 15 c.f.s. near the
mouth at the time of observation. There is often no flow in the
lower section during the summer months, due to the diversion of water
into several small, unscreened irrigation ditches, and also due to
the semi-arid nature of the watershed. The water temperature was 73°F«
at a point near the mouth. The gradient is moderate in the lower
valley portion of the course, and becomes steep in the upper canyon
portion. Riffle areas are found throughout, but pools are lacking
in the lower section. There is practically no stream cover in the
lower part, and it is sparse in the upper portion. Stream improvement
work of deepening and straightening the channel in the lower section
for the purpose of flood control has contributed to rendering that
part of the stream of no value to fish. The upper section is
spring-fed, and never becomes completely dry. It was reported that
this section supports a small resident trout population, as well as a
small spring run of steelhead. Alpowa Creek is of no present or
potential value to salmon.

8A. Page Creek. — (April 26, 1937; Suomela and Burrows.) Page
Creek enters Alpowa Creek about one mile above the mouth. It is a
small, intermittent stream, and of no value to migratory fish.

8B. Powahkee Creek. — (April 26, 1937; Suomela and Burrows.)
Powahkee Creek enters Alpowa Creek 3 miles above the mouth. It is a
small, intermittent stream, and of no value to migratory fish.

9. Clearwater River. — See Part 2, page 16

10. Asotin Creek.— (March 8-10, 1935; Suomela and Christy.)
Asotin Creek enters the Snake River approximately ll±6 miles above the
mouth. The main stream extends for a distance of about lit§ miles,
where it is formed by the confluence of the north and south forks.
It was completely surveyed. In March, 1935, the stream had an aver-
age width of about 30 feet near the mouth. Gaging station records
taken at a point about 10 miles above the mouth indicated a flow of
UO c.f.s. on March 10, 1935. Records for the water year 19UU-li5
(U.S. Geological Survey) give a maximum flow of 152 c.f.s. in May and
a minimum flow of 23 c.f.s. in August. The water temperature at
the time of the survey was uniformly Uh°F» The stream gradient is
moderate, with numerous good shallow riffles forming extensive
spawning areas, and an adequate number of good resting pools well
distributed throughout the course. There were estimated to be
168,000 sq. yd. of medium and small rubble constituting 79 percent
of the total bottom. A large part of this medium and small rubble
comprised suitable salmon spawning area.

10

There were two permanent dams and thirteen irrigation
diversions on the main stream at the time of the survey. The first
permanent dam is located about U miles above the mouth. It is
about 2 feet high, and was installed by a former County Game Com-
mission to prevent the migration of suckers from the Snake River
into Asotin Creek# This dam does not prevent the migration of
steelhead during high water, but during periods of extreme low
water during the summer months it is doubtful if salmon and trout
are able to pass above this obstruction The other permanent dam
is that of the Washington Water Power Company, located approximately
72 miles above the mouth. This dam is 6 feet high, and is used
for irrigation and as a source of domestic water supply for the
towns of Clarkston and Asotin. No water has been diverted for power
for many years. The amount of water diverted here for present uses
ranges from a minimum of 10 c,f,s, to a possible maximum carrying
capacity of U0 c,f,s. On March 8, 1935, it was estimated by the
difference in flow measurements above and below the point of diver-
sion that 2U c.f.s. was being withdrawn. The intakes to the diver-
sion pipe line are adequately screened with 1/u and 1/8 inch mesh
screens to prevent the loss of downstream migrants. In periods of
extremely low water this dam diverts the entire stream flowt
leaving the stream bed dry except for the deep pools along the
course. During the month of August, 19 3U, the State of Washington
found it necessary to perform considerable fish salvage work in the
area below the dam. Three miles of ditches were dug in this dry
area connecting the various pools. Fish seining methods were also
used, and in this manner it was estimated that 2^0,000 steelhead
fingerlings and 25 adult Chinook salmon spawners were saved from
destruction. A fish ladder has been installed at the dam under the
direction of the Washington State Department of Game, Most of the
steelhead trout ascending at high water jump directly over the dam,
and rarely use the ladder. It is doubtful if chinook salmon are
always able to ascend the stream and pass above the dam because at
the time of their appearance, later in the summer, most of the water is
being diverted. The efficiency of the ladder depends on the amount of
water discharged through it. Normally it provides little attraction
to upstream migrants. The twelve other irrigation diversions on the
main stream were not in use at the time of observation, and the
amount of water withdrawn by them during the irrigation season was not
determined. Most of them are small open ditches, but several use
temporary wing diversion dams. None of them was provided with screens
to prevent the loss of downstream migrants,

Asotin Creek formerly supported excellent runs of chinook sal-
mon and steelhead trout. At present it has a good spring run of
steelhead trout and a very samll summer run of chinook salmon. Most
of the steelheads ascend the north fork, although a few enter the
smaller tributaries and some spawn in the main stream. In 1936 at
the peak of the steelhead run 56 steelhead were counted jumping over
the old power dam in an elapsed time of 5 minutes. The stream is of

11

little present value as a salmon producer, the twenty five chinook
spawners that were rescued and placed above the dam in 193U prob-
ably constituting the entire run of that species. However, it
has considerable potential value for salmon, as indicated by the
remarkable extent to which the steelhead run has been able to sur-
vive. In order to re-establish a run of salmon in the stream it
would merely be necessary to regulate the flow of water over the old
power dam so as to provide a passageway for the adult fish and maintain
a sufficient flow for the passage of the downstream migrants. The
hazards to all the fish populations would be greatly reduced by the
screening of all the water diversions. The stream is a valuable
producer of steelhead trout. The value of this species has been in-
creasingly recognized in recent years, and the stream warrants pro-
tective measures from the standpoint of the steelhead population
alone .

10A. George Creek.— (April 27, 1937; Hanavan.) George Creek
enters Asotin Creek 3£ miles above the mouth and extends for about
25 miles. At the time of observation it was discharging about 35
c.f.s., which was practically flood stage. In the late summer the
stream becomes nearly dry in the lower section, although it always
maintains some flow. The water temperature at the mouth was U6°*»
The gradient is fairly steep, especially in the upper section. The
water was turbid at the time of observation, due to spring freshets,
and therefore a good evaluation could not be made of the stream bed.
However, there are numerous good shallow riffle areas suitable for
spawning, and a few large resting pools. There is little stream
cover in the lower 2 miles, but upstream the course extends through
narrow, rocky canyons bordered by pine forests, providing increas-
ingly better stream protection.

Due to the low water conditions in summer George Creek is
of little possible value to salmon. A few steelhead spawners may
utilize the stream, but its chief value is for resident trout,
which are numerous in the upper reaches*

10B, Charley Creek.— (April 2$, 1937 J Hanavan.) Charley
Creek enters Asotin Creek approximately 13 miles above the mouth
and extends for about 15 miles. At the time of observation it had
an average width of 8 feet, and was discharging about 10 c.f .s.
The flow was reported to drop to about 5 c.f.s. during the summer
months, and is maintained by numerous springs in the headquarters.
The water temperature was 56°F. at a point near the mouth. The
gradient is fairly steep throughout the course, with some cascades.
There are some good riffles and many small patches of spawning area,
especially in the lower h miles. The stream bed was estimated to
consist of 50 percent large rubble, U0 percent medium rubble, and
10 percent small rubble and gravel. The entire course extends
through narrow, steep-walled canyons, with good cover along the
banks. A small unscreened irrigation ditch near the mouth diverts
about 1/2 c.f.s.

12

It was reported lhat no salmon ascend Charley Creek. A
small run of steelhead enters the stream, and four of these fish
were observed at a point about 5 miles above the moutho It is a
heavily fished stream, and produces fair catches of small rain-
bow trout, many of which are probably young steelheads0 Numerous
trout finger lings were observed. The stream is apparently of
value only to resident trout and steelhead, and it is not big
enough to support a large steelhead population.

IOC, North Fork, Asotin Creek. — (June 29-30, 1936, Suomela
and Burrows'] April 27, 1937, Hanavan.) The North Fork joins the
South Fork to form main Asotin Creek at a point approximately lli^
miles above the mouth of the latter stream* The North Fork is
about 13 miles long, of which the lower 9\ miles were surveyed.
At the time of the survey in June, 1936, the stream had an average
width of about 2U feet in the lower 9 miles, and was discharging
about 30 c.f.s. at the mouth. The water temperature ranged from
6U° to 5U°F. The gradient is moderate to fairly steep, increasing
rapidly in the last 1/2 mile surveyed upstream. There are numerous
good resting pools and extensive shallow riffle areas* There were
estimated to b3 93,000 sq. yd. of medium and small rubble consti-
tuting 72 percent of the total bottom in the section surveyed. A
large part of this medium and small rubble comprised suitable
spawning area. Approximately 9 miles above the mouth the stream
is formed by the confluence of three forks, all about the same
size. The survey was continued for 1/2 mile up the best appearing
fork, the gradient increasing and the amount of possible spawning
area decreasing rapidly upstream.

The North Fork provides the principal spawning area for
the run of steelhead trout that ascends Asotin Creek. A number
of steelhead were seen at the mouth on April 27, 1937, but no
count of the population was obtainable. The run of Chinook saliron
has been depleted almost to the point of extinction, due to the
previously mentioned conditions on lower Asotin Creek, The stream
is of considerable present value to steelhead and resident trout,
and is also of some potential value to salmon.

1X-(1), Lick Creek, — (Not surveyed) Lick Creek enters the
North Fork of Asotin Creek approximately 1 mile above the mouth.
It is a small stream, becoming nearly dry during the summer. It is
of no importance to migratory fish.

10D. South Fork, Asotin Creek. — (March 8-10, 1935; Suomela
and ChristyT) The South Fork joins the North Fork to form main
Asotin Creek at a point approximately lUJ miles above the mouth of
the latter stream. The South Fork is about 12 miles long, of
which the lower U miles were surveyed. At the time of the survey
the stream had an average width of 10 feet in the lower section,

13

and was discharging 5 c.f .3. The water temperature was 36.5°F,
at the upper terminus of the survey. The gradient is moderate
to fairly steep, with numerous small falls and cascades 0 Small
shallow riffles providing a limited amount of good spawning area
were found to begin at a point about 1/2 mile above the mouth
and continuing upstream, interspersed with pools and cascades.
It was estimated that there were 17,500 sq. yd0 of medium and
small rubble, constituting 7U percent of the total bottom in the
section surveyed, A large part of this medium and small rubble
comprised soi table salmon spawning area0

There are four small irrigation diversions on the South
Fork. None was in use at the time of observation, and none was
provided with screens to prevent the loss of fish.

A log jam h feet high was found about 1 mile above the
mouth. This jam was considered to be a barrier to fish except
at high water stages.

The South Fork formerly supported a good run of steelhead
trout and a reasonably good run of chinook salmon for the small
size of the stream0 It was reported that in recent years no
chinooks have been seen in the stream, and it is probable that
the salmon have been exterminated, due mainly to conditions in
lower main Asotin Creek. Still more recently the steelheads have
become very scarce. Resident trout are numerous, excellent catches
of rainbow and Dolly Vardens being reported. The scieening of
the irrigation diversions, the removal of the log jam, and some
other slight stream improvements would enable the stream again to
support a good run of steelhead trout,

11, Tenmile Creek,— (April 26, 1937; Hanavan.) Tenmile
Creek enters the Snake River approximately 151 miles above the
mouth and extends for about 20 miles. At the time of observation
it was discharging about 6 c,f,s, at the mouth « During the summer
months it is practically dry except for a few permanent pools. The
water temperature was 65°F, at the mouth. The stream course ex-
tends almost entirely through a narrow, rocky canyon. The gradient
is uniformly steep, with cascades instead of riffle areas. The
stream bed is composed mainly of large and medium rubble, with
practically no suitable salmon spawning area, Tenmile Creek is of
no present or potential value to salmon, and it is questionable
whether it is of any value to steelhead trout* Some resident
trout and rough fish are found in the permanent pools.

12, Couse Creek, — (April 26, 1937? Hanavan.) Couse Creek
enters the Snake River approximately 158 miles above the mouth and
extends for about 10 miles. At the time of observation it was dis-
charging about 3 c.f .s, at the mouth, but during the summer months
it becomes practically dry. The gradient is 3teep, and the stream

14

bed is composed chiefly of large and medium rubble* There are few
good pools, and practically no suitable salmon spawning areas. There
are no runs of salmon or steelhead into Couse Creek, and it is of no
present or potential value to anadromous fish,

15

TABLE OF OBSTRUCTIONS AND DIVERSIONS

Name of Stream and Height

Diversion

Existing

Type of Obstruction

in

in

Protective

or Diversion

Feet

c.f.s.

Devices

PALOUSE RIVEB

16U

—

None

TUCANNON RIVER

Starbuck dam and diversion

$

66+

Screened

Irrigation

diversion

-

2.0

None

it

it

tm

1.8

tt

ii

it

_

0 (dry)

it

Irrigation

dam and diversion lj

2.9

it

Irrigation

diversion

-

3.3

it

n

n

—

$.6

it

it

it

—

6.0

Screened

Irrigation dam and diversii

on 5

2.0

None

Irrigation

diversion

—

0.6

tt

n

n

mm

1.5

tt

n

n

_

2.0

Screened

w

tt

_

3.8

None

ii

it

_

6.2

ii

n

it

—

0.2

it

n

it

—

0.2

it

ii

ii

—

1.2

it

it

ii

—

2.0

tt

ti

ti

—

0 (dry)

it

ti

ii

-

0.5

ii

ii

it

_

6.2

it

ti

tt

—

6.1

it

it

n

-

0.7

tt

ii

it

—

1.0

it

ti

ii

-

3.7

it

it

it

—

0.8

ti

ii

ti

_

0.8

it

ti

ti

-.

o.U

ii

it

tt

—

0.6

ti

it

ii

—

1.0

ti

it

n

-

-1.0

ii

CUMMINGS CREEK

Irrigation

diversion

-

0 (dry)

None

n

tt

-

2.0

it

ASOTIN CREEK

2

mm

—

Irrigation

and domestic

Screened;

10-iiO

Ladder

Irrigation

diversions

(12 not
SOUTH FORK,

0 (dry)

None

ASOTIN CREEK

Irrigation

0 (dry)

None

(U - small, not in use)

—

16

PART 2
SUB-AREA CLEARWATER RIVER SYSTEM

Introduction

The Clearwater River joins the Snake River at Lewis ton, Idaho,
approximately lhO miles above the confluence of the latter stream
with the Columbia River c Its watershed includes a large part of
northcentral Idaho from the Snake River, which forms part of the
western boundary of the state, to the crest of the Bitterroot Mount-
tains forming the eastern boundary with Montana, and includes an
area of about 10,000 square miles. The main stream system, includ-
ing the three major forks and the Lochsa and Selway Rivers, extends
about 500 miles.

The Clearwater River system formerly supported large runs of
Chinook and silver salmon and steelhead trout. These runs have
been greatly depleted in recent years, and the silver run has been
completely exterminated* The Clearwater has vast potential salmon
producing capacity, and it was intended that this stream system be
given a high priority in any program for salmon rehabilitation in
the Snake River basin.

17

>
5

List of Streams

Page

Main Clearwater River •*... 18

A« Potlatch Creek 18

B. North Fork, Clearwater River • ••• 19

(1) Cranberry Creek « • 20

(2) Reeds Creek • 20

(3) Swamp Creek • 20

(U) Falls Creek • 20

(5) Silver Creek 20

(6) Gold Creek • 20

(7) Robinson Creek « ••••••••• 20

'8) Little North Fork 20

(9) Thompson Creek «... • 21

( 10) Isabella Creek • 21

(11) Beaver Creek ••• 21

(12) Skull Creek 21

(13) Quartz Creek • pi

(!

Little Washington Creek • 21

(15) Dead Horse Creek .••••••••• 21

'16) Dead Mule Creek «• 21

,17) Washington Creek ••••••••.. 22

[18) Cave Creek • 22

k19) Siwash Creek 22

(20) Orogrande Creek 22

(21) Sprague Creek 22

(22) Squaw Creek 22

(23) Jackknife Creek • . ?2

(2k) Weitas Creek * 22

(25) Death Creek «• .. # 23

(26) Fourth of July Creek 23

(27) Kelly Creek .. 23

C« Orofino Creek , 23

D. Jim Ford Creek !!!!!!!!! 23

E. Lolo Creek !!!!!!!!!!!!!! 23

F. South Fork, Clearwater River ....!!!!!!!!] 2ij

G. Middle Fork, Clearwater River !..!!! 2U

(1) Lochsa River 2h

(2) Selway River .." 25

a. 0'Hara Creek ,.] 25

b. Glover Creek «. 25

c. Gedney Creek 25

d. Meadow Creek 26

19

Figure 4,~ Power dam near the month of the Clearwater
River at Lewis ton, Idaho,

20

The Survey

9* Main Clearwater River*— (September 15-23, 1938} Hanavan
and Wilding*) The main Clearwater River extends for approximately
75 miles to the town of Kooskia, Idaho, where it is formed by the
confluence of the middle and south forks. The river was 900 feet
wide at the mouth and 300-UOO feet wide throughout most of its
course • Gaging station records for the years 1926 to 19U8 taken
at Spalding, Idaho, approximately 12 miles above the mouth, show
discharges ranging from a maximum flood of 177,000 c.f.s. in May,
19U8, to a minimum of less than 500 c.f.s. in January, 1937* The
average discharge for a 19 year period (1926-19U5) was 13,720 c.f.s*
according to U.S. Geological Survey records. The water temperature
ranged from 66 F. to 7h F* at the time of the survey. The gradient
is moderate throughout most of the course* The south fork dis-
charges a considerable amount of mining silt into the main Clear-
water, and part of this material settles to the bottom as the
stream gradient decreases in the lower section, forming a heavy
layer of silt during the low water period* The effect of this
deposit upon salmon is not known. There were approximately 380,000
sq. yd* of suitable spawning area in the main stream constituting
7 percent of the stream bed*

The diversion dam of the Washington Water Power Company is
located approximately U miles above the mouth, and is about UO feet
high* The fish ladder at this dam as originally constructed was
ineffective for Chinook salmon because of its poor location at the
extreme end of the dam where there was little attraction for fish,
and also because at low water stages the river channel was almost
dry from the diversion dam to the power plant tailrace approximately
l£ miles downstream* The operation of this dam for 13 years without
adequate provision for the passage of fish is responsible more than
any other single factor for the present depletion of the salmon runs
in the Clearwater River system* An additional ladder was constructed
at the diversion dam in 19U0, and a ladder also was built from the
tailrace to the forebay of the power plant* During the period of the
operation of the dam before these improvements were made only the
lower 2\ miles of the river, containing less than 2 percent of the
total suitable spawning area in the entire main stream, were avail-
able at low water stages.

The Clearwater has great potential value as an anadromous
fish producer, which could be realised if the fi3hways in conjunction
with the Clearwater dam were further improved and if the area were
restocked*

9A* Potlatch Creek.— (Sept. 10-18,1938; Parkhurst and Morton.)
Potlatch Creek enters the main Clearwater River approximately 1$
miles above the mouth. The stream is about 50 miles long, of which the
lower 22-| miles were surveyed. Above the terminus of the survey the
stream bed is composed largely of bedrock and boulders, the gradient
becomes steep, and there is little spawning area. The stream had an

21

average width of 60 feet in the section surveyed. The survey was con-
ducted at extreme low water stage, when more than half of the stream
bed was dry. The run-off is rapid and of short duration, the stream
exhibiting great fluctuation in water level. The water temperature
ranged from 76°F near the mouth to 70 F at the upper terminrs of the
survey. The gradient is slight in the lower section, end becomes
moderate to steep above. There were approximately h.0,000 sq,yd, of
suitable spawning area, constituting 8 percent of the total bottom
in the section surveyed* However, the entire stream bed was covered
with a layer of silt and algae, which together with the high wator
temperatures and other adverse factors causes the stream to be un-
suitable for salmon. No salmon were seen or reported. The upper
section may be of some value to steelhead and resident trout,

9B, North Fork, Clearwater River. — (Sept, 19-0ct, 3, 1938}
Hanavan, Parkhurst, Wilding, and Morton,) The North Fork enters the
Clearwater River approximately U3 miles above the mouth. The 3tream
is about 135 miles long, of which the lower 110 miles were surveyed*
Above the terminus of the survey it is of little potential value to
salmon because of the steep gradient. The width of the stream ranged
from approximately UOO feet at the mouth to about 100 feet at the
mouth of Kelly Creek, the terminus of the survey. The discharge at
the time of the survey ranged from about 1,000 c*f*s* at the mouth
to 200 c,f,s, just above the mouth of Kelly Creek, Gaging station
records for the years 1926 to 19U8, taken at a station near Ahsahka,
Idaho, 2 miles above the mouth, show discharges ranging from a maxi-
mum flood of 100,000 c,f ,s, in December, 1933> to a minimum of less
than 250 c,f*s, in January, 1937, The average discharge for a 19
year period (1926-19U5) was £,liUt c,f,s,, according to U.S. Geological
Survey records. The water temperature ranged from about 65°F. in the
lower section of the river to 5»2°F. in the headwaters. The gradient
is moderate for the most part, and becomes fairly steep in the upper
section. There are numerous good shallow riffle areas and adequate
resting pools well distributed throughout the course* Factors that
greatly reduce the potential value of the stream for salmon include
the large amount of bedrock in the stream bed, especially above the
confluence of the Little North Fork, and the large amount of sand in
the lower portion of the river* There were approximately 2^0,000
sq. yd, of suitable spawning area constituting 2\ percent of the total
bottom in the section surveyed.

There was a log jam 1,200 yards long about 20 miles above the
mouth which was a barrier at low water. Above this point there were
two smaller log jams, likewise impassable at low water. These jams
develop each summer as a result of the method of logging. They are
removed at high water, when the accumulated logs are floated downstream.
There are no permanent barriers to the migration of fish.

The North Fork formerly supported a large run of chinook
salmon. This run has been greatly depleted for many years, and is
now practically exterminated. No salmon were seen or reported during
the survey, A small spring run of steelhead trout was reported. The
river is of little value at present as a salmon producer, but it has

22

good potential valae.

9B-(1). Cranberry Creek, — (September 23, 1938; Parkhurst and
Morton.) Cranberry Creek enters the North Fork approximately 21^ miles
above the mouth. It was discharging abont 10 c.f .s. at the time of the
survey. The stream is capable of supporting a small run, and is util-
ized by a few steelhead trout.

9B-(2)* Reeds Creek. — (September 25, 1938 j Parkhurst and Morton.)
Reeds Creek enters the North Fork approximately 29 miles above the
mouth. The stream was 30 feet wide at the mouth, and was discharging
about 50 c.f.s. at the time of observation. It contains good salmon
spawning area, and is probably utilized by steelhead trout.

9B-(3). Swamp Creek.— (September 25, 1938; Parkhurst and Morton.)
Swamp Creek enters the North Fork approximately 30 miles above the
mouth. The stream was discharging about 5 c.f.s. at the time of obser-
vation. It was extremely muddy and appeared unsuitable for salmon or
trout •

9B-(U). Falls Creek. — (September 26, 1938j Parkhurst and Morton.)
Falls Creek enters the North Fork approximately 35 miles above the
mouth* The stream was discharging about 10 c.f.s* at the time of obser-
vation. A 12 foot falls near the mouth renders it inaccessible to
migratory fish*

9B-(5). Silver Creek* — (September 26, 1938j Parkhurst and Morton.)
Silver Creek enters the North Fork approximately 392 miles above the
mouth. The stream was discharging about 10 c.f.s. at the time of obser-
vation. It has a fairly steep gradient, with numerous cascades, and
only a small amount of suitable salmon spawning area,

9B~(6). Gold Creek. — (September 26, 1938; Parkhurst and Morton.)
Gold Creek enters the North Fork approximately Ul£ miles above the
mouth. The stream was discharging about 15 c.f.s. at the time of obser-
vation. It has a moderate gradient, and contains some good salmon
spawning area. Gold Creek could support a small run, and is utilized
by a few steelhead trout,

9B-(7), Robinson Creek.— (September 27, 1938; Parkhurst and
Morton,) Robinson Creek enters the North Fork approximately UiJ
miles above the mouth. The stream was discharging about 5 c.f.s. at
the time of observation* It has a moderate gradient, and a small
amount of good spawning area. It was reported that salmon had been
observed in Robinson Creek in earlier years* However, the stream
could accommodate only a small number of spawning salmon*

9B-(8)* Little North Fork*— (September 27, 1938; Parkhurst and
Morton.) The Little North Fork enters the North ,Fork approximately
US miles above the mouth. The stream was about 200 feet wide at the
mouth at the time of observation, and was discharging about 150 c.f.s*
The stream is about liO miles long, and contains a large amount of

23

excellent spawning area* It is the best appearing salmon stream
of all the tributaries to the North Fork, and was reported to have
formerly supported good runs of Chinook salmon and steelhead trout.

9B-(9). Thompson greek*-— (September 27, 1938; Hanavan and
Wilding.) Thompson Creek enters the North Fork approximately $9%
miles above the mouth. The stream was discharging about 8 c.f.s.
at the time of observation. It has a steep gradient and is of
little possible value to salmon,

9B-(10). Isabella Creek.— (September 28, 1938} Hanavan and
Wilding.) Isabella Creek enters the North Fork approximately 62^
miles above the mouth. The stream was discharging about 15> c.f.s.
at the time of observation. It could support a small run of salmon,
and is of some slight possible value to steelhead trout.

9B-(11). Beaver Creek.— (September 28, 1938 j Hanavan and
Wilding.) Beaver Creek enters the North Fork approximately 63£
miles above the mouth. The stream was discharging about 20 c.f.s.
at the time of observation. It could support a fair run of salmon,
and at present is of value to a small run of steelhead trout.

9B-(12). Skull Creek .— (October 1, 1938j Hanavan and Wilding.)
Skull Creek enters the North Fork approximately 71 miles above the
mouth. The stream was discharging about 35 c.f.s. at the time of
observation. It could support a fair run of salmon, and at present
supports a small run of steelhead trout.

9B-(13). Quartz Creek. — (October 1, 1938 j Hanavan and Wild-
ing.) Quartz Creek enters the North Fork approximately 73 miles
above the mouth* The stream was discharging about 20 c.f.s. at the
time of observation. It could support a fair run of salmon, and at
present supports a small run of steelhead trout.

9B-(Lk). Little Washington Creek. — (October 1, 1938; Park-
hurst and MortonT) Little Washington Creek enters the North Fork
approximately 82-| miles above the mouth. The stream was discharg-
ing about 5 c.f.s. at the time of observation. The gradient is
steep, and the stream is impassable to salmon.

9B-(l£). Dead Horse Creek. — (October 1, 1938; Parkhurst and
Morton.) Dead Horse Creek enters the North Fork approximately 83
miles above the mouth. The stream was discharging about 5 c.f.s.
at the time of observation. It is of some possible value to a few
steelhead trout.

9B-(l6). Dead Mule Creek.— (October 1, 1938; Parkhurst and
Morton.) Dead Mule Creek enters the North Fork slightly more than
83 miles above the mouth. The stream was discharging about 5 c.f.s.
at the time of observation. It has a fairly steep gradient, and is
impassable to fish at low water stages.

24

9B-(17)# Washington Creek* — (October 1, 1938; Parkhurst and
Morton.) Washington Creek enters the North Fork about 8U^ miles
above the mouth* The stream was discharging about 30 c.f *s, at the
time of observation* It is passable to fish only in the lower \
mile* Above that point the gradient becomes too steep and the stream
is obstructed by log jams. The lower section is of some potential
value to salmon, and may be utilized by a few steelhead trout.

9B-(l8)* Cave Creek,— (October 2, 1938j Parkhurst.) Cave Creek
enters the North Fork about 86 miles above the mouth* It was dis-
charging about $ c.f.s* at the time of observation. The gradient is
steep, and the stream bed is composed chiefly of large rubble. The
stream was considered impassable, and of no value to migratory fish.

9B-(19). Siwash Creek. — (October 2, 1938; Parkhurst*)
Siwash Creek enters the North Fork approximately 87^ miles above
the mouth* It was discharging about 5 c*f,s, at the time of obser-
vation* The gradient is steep and the stream is considered impass-
able. It is of no value to migratory fish*

9B-(20). Orogrande Creek* — (October 2, 1938j Morton*) Oro-
grande Creek enters the North Fork about 92^ miles above the mouth,
at the Bungalow Ranger Station* It was discharging about 15 c*f*s*
at the time of observation. The gradient is generally moderate*
The stream is of some present value to steelhead trout and of poten-
tial value to salmon.

9B-(21)* Sprague Creek*— (October 3* 1938j Morton.) Sprague
Creek enters the North Fork approximately 9k miles above the mouth*
It was discharging about 6 c.f.s. at the time of observation* The
gradient is steep. The stream is of slight possible value to steel-
head, and of no value to salmon.

9B-(22)» Squaw Creek» — (October 3, 1938 j Morton,) Squaw Creek
enters the North Fork about 95> miles above the mouth* It was dis-
charging about 10 c.f.s* at the time of observation. The gradient
is steep* The stream is of slight possible value to steelhead, and of
no value to salmon.

9B-(23)* Jackknife Creek*— (October 3, 1938; Morton*) Jackknife
Creek enters the North Fork approximately 97 miles above the mouth*
It was discharging about 8 c.f.s. at the time of observation* The grad-
ient is steep. The stream is of slight possible value to steelhead,
and of no value to salmon*

9B-(2U)* Weitas Creek.— (October 3, 1938; Morton*) Weitas
Creek enters the North Fork approximately 97 miles above the mouth*
It was discharging nearly 100 c*f*s* at the time of observation*
The gradient is steep throughout the course, the stream draining an
extremely mountainous portion of the Clearwater National Forest*

25

Because of its turbulent nature, the heavy run-off from melting snows,
and the great amount of large rubble in the stream bed, it does not
appear to be of much value to migratory fish*

9B-(2£). Death Creek.— (October 3, 1938j Parkhurst.) Death
Creek enters the North Fork approximately 100 miles above the mouth*
It was discharging about $ c.f .s. at the time of observation. The
gradient is steep, and the stream bed is composed chiefly of large
rubble. The stream was considered impassable, and of no value to
migratory fish.

9B-(26). Fourth of July Creek .— (October 3, 1938; Wilding.)
Fourth of July Creek enters the North Fork approximately 101 miles
above the mouth* It is a good size stream, although smaller than
Weitas Creek. Due to its extremely turbulent nature, it was not
possible to measure the discharge by our field method. Because of
the steep gradient, the large amount of bedrock and boulders in the
stream bed, and the heavy run-off from melting snows, the stream
was considered to be of little possible value to migratory fish.

Several other streams were examined above Fourth of July
Creek. The uppermost stream observed was Kelly Creek, 9B-(27),
approximately 110 miles above the mouth* All of them belong in the
category of turbulent mountain streams of little or no possible
value to migratory fish* However, most of the tributaries to the
North Fork of the Clearwater maintain good resident trout populations.

9C. Orofino Creek.— (September 21, 1938; Hanavan and Wilding.)
Orofino Creek enters the Clearwater River approximately U7 miles
above the mouth. The stream is about 30 miles long, of which the
lower 5 miles were surveyed. It had an average width of about 25
feet in the lower section at the time of observation, and was dis-
charging about 10 c.f.s* In the upper section the stream narrows to
a width of only 6 feet. The water temperature ranged from 61* F to
62°F. The gradient is moderate in the lower section and becomes in-
creasingly steep in the upper mile surveyed* The survey was termi-
nated at a series of impassable falls 6 feet to 12 feet in height.
The stream bed is composed chiefly of large rubble* There were
3,150 sq. yd. of suitable spawning area, constituting only U percent
of the total stream bed in the section surveyed* The stream was con-
sidered to be of little possible value to migratory fish*

9D* Jim Ford Creek. — (September 20, 1938; Hanavan and Wilding.)
Jim Ford Creek enters the Clearwater River approximately £l miles
above the mouth. The stream was discharging only 2 c*f .s. at the time
of observation. It was considered to be of little possible value to
migratory fish*

9E* Lolo Creek*-— (September 20, 1938; Hanavan and Wilding*)
Lolo Creek enters the Clearwater River approximately $6 miles above
the mouth. The stream was discharging 10 c.f.s. on the date of
observation. No detailed survey was made.

26

9F* South Fork, Clearwater River*— (September, 19 38 j Hanavan
and WildingTJ The South Fork joins the Middle Fork to form the main
Clearwater River at Kooskia, Idaho, approximately 75 miles above the
mouth* The South Fork also is about 75> miles long* A power dam
about 21 miles upstream, near Grangeville, Idaho, is provided with a
poor fish ladder, and is considered a barrier to the upstream passage
of fish. Gaging station records taken just below the powerhouse near
Grangeville for the period 1910-<Lol6 and 1923-19U8 show a maximum re-
corded flood of 12,600 c*f .s* in May, I9U8* The minimum recorded
flow according to U.S. Geological Survey published reports was Ul
c.f .8. in November, 1931* The average discharge for 26 years was 803
c*f*s*

The South Fork was extremely turbid at the time of survey,
due to gold dredging operations* Because of the lack of visibility
it was impossible to evaluate the spawning area* The disruption
of the stream bed by gold dredges and the resultant heavy silting
throughout most of the stream may be harmful to the production of
both salmon and trout*

9G, Middle Fork Clearwater River* — (October 6-7,1938;
Parkhurst and Morton*) The Middle Fork joins the South Fork to
form the main Clearwater River at Kooskia, Idaho, approximately
75 miles above the mouth* The stream is 2k miles long, and is form-
ed by the confluence of the Lochsa and Selway Rivers* It is access-
ible to migratory fish throughout the course* At the time of the
survey the stream was 375 feet wide at the mouth, and maintained an
average width of more than 300 feet in the lower 10 miles* Dis-
charge measurements are not recorded for the Middle Fork* However,
gaging station records kept by the U.S* Geological Survey for the
Lochsa and Selway Rivers, plus our estimated flows for the minor
tributaries entering below the recording stations indicate a dis-
charge at the mouth of the Middle Fork of approximately 1,100 c*f*s*
at the time of the survey* The water temperature ranged from 56°F
to 58 F* The gradient is moderate throughout, with numerous good
shallow riffles and adequate resting pools* The stream appears to
present excellent conditions for the production of salmon and steel-
head trout* There were approximately 620,000 sq* yd* of suitable
spawning area, constituting 19 percent of the total stream bed* No
salmon were seen, but a spring run of steelhead trout was reported*
The stream is of little value at present to anadromous fish, but it
has great potential value for salmon and steelhead trout*

9G-(1) Lochsa River* — (October 8-9,1938; Hanavan, Parkhurst,
Morton, and Wilding,) The Lochsa and the Selway Rivers join to form
the Middle Fork of the Clearwater approximately 2k miles above the
mouth of the latter stream* The Lochsa is approximately 75 miles
long, of which the lower 15 miles were surveyed* The stream extends
through the Net Perce, Clearwater, and Lolo National Forests* There
are few roads reaching the river, and most of its course is through
a wilderness area practically unmolested by man* The stream had
an average width of liiO feet in the section surveyed, and was dis-
charging U03 c*f*s* at a U*S* Geological Survey gaging station lo-

27

eated about a mile above the mouth* The gradient Is moderate In the
section surveyed. There is little good spawning area because of the
preponderance of large rubble, which covers about 60 percent of the
stream bed* The stream is of little or no present value to salmon*
and appears to be better adapted tc resident trout, A few trout were
observed, and the stream is of some possible value to steelhead.

The tributaries in the section surveyed are all smal], flowing
less than 5 c,f ,s. They all have steep gradient, and are of no value
to salmon*

9G-(2)* Selway River*— (October 7-8,1938; Hanavan and Wilding*)
The Selway and the Lochsa Rivers join to form the Middle Fork of the
Clearwater approximately 2U miles above the mouth of the latter stream*
The Selway is approximately 100 miles long, of which the lower 21 miles
were surveyed* The stream extends through the Nez Perce and Bitter-
root National Forests and the Selway-Bitterroot Primitive Area* Most
of the stream course is through a wilderness area practically unmolested
by man* The stream had an average width of about 1$0 feet in the sec-
tion surveyed, and was discharging £U6 c,f,s, at a U,S, Geological
Survey gaging station located slightly more than 8 miles above the mouth.
Good spawning areas are not extensive in the section surveyed because
of the fairly steep gradient in many places and the preponderance of
large rubble, which covers more than 50 percent of the stream bed*

Selway Falls is located approximately 20 miles above the mouth.
This is a series of three falls, the highest being 7 feet* They are
passable to spring run steelhead trout, but would be difficult or im-
passable for any summer chinook salmon. However, the Selway is of
little present value to salmon, although it is of some possible value
to steelhead and also supports a good resident trout population*

There are a number of minor tributaries in the section surveyed.
Most of these are too small to be listed, discharging less than 5 c*f ,s*
They all have steep gradients, and are of no value to salmon, although
several of them have some possible value for steelhead trout*

9G-(2)a* O'Hara Creek,— (October 7, 1938; Hanavan,) O'Hara Creek
enters the Selway River about 8 miles above the mouth. It was dis-
charging about 15 c*f .s, at the time the survey. The stream is of soma
possible value to steelhead as well as to resident trout,

9G-(2)b* Glover Creek. — (October 8, 1938; Wilding*) Glover
Creek enters the Selway River about 17 miles above the mouth. It was
discharging about 7 c,f,s, at the time of the survey. The gradient
is steep, and the stream was considered impassable and of no value to
migratory fish*

9G-(2)c, Gedney Creek,— (October 8, 1938; Hanavan.) Gedney
Creek enters the Selway River about 19^ miles above the mo#th. It was
discharging about 1$ c.f.s, at the time of the survey. The Idaho
State Department of Fish and Game places racks across the stream at the
mouth in order to capture trout for artificial propagation. It is a

28

good appearing trout stream, and is of much more value to resident
trout than it might be for salmon,

9G-(2)d, Meadow Creek, — (October 8, 1938 J Hanavan.) Meadow
Creek enters the Selway River about 21 miles above the mouth. It
was discharging about 25 c,f ,s, at the time of the survey. It is a
good appearing stream, of considerable value to resident trout.
Since it is above Selway Falls on the Selway River it is inaccessible
to salmon at low water stages.

29

TABLE OF OBSTRUCTIONS AND DIVERSIONS

Name of Stream and
Type of Obstruction
or Diversion

Height

in

Feet

Diversion
in
c.f .s.

Existing

Protective

Devices

CLEARWATER RIVER, Power dam UO

Falls Creek, falls 12

Orofino Creek, falls 6-12
South Fork, Power dam

Selway River, falls 7

U,2O0

Fishways

Fishway-poor

30

PART 3
SUB-AREA GRANDE RONDE RIVER SYSTEM

Introduction

The Grande Ronde River joins the Snake River at Roger sburg,
Washington, approximately 170 miles above the mouth. The stream
extends through the southeastern corner of Washington for the
lower 36| miles, and then through northeastern Oregon for approxi-
mately loO miles* Its drainage area comprises approximately U,000
square miles, and includes the northern slope of the Wallowa
Mountains, as well as a portion of the Blue Mountains,

The Grande Ronde River system was formerly an important pro-
ducer of three species of salmonj chinook, blueback, and silver,
as well as steelhead trout. The value of the system to these
species was recognized at an early date by the Oregon Fish Commis-
sion when suitable locations were being sought for the establish-
ment of salmon hatcheries. In the annual report of the Oregon
State Department of Fisheries for the year 1901 the Grande Ronde
is referred to as "One of the greatest salmon breeding feeders
that the Columbia ever had* * # * While the river is frequented
apparently so generally by the salmon for spawning purposes,
still it is a very hard stream to contend with and offers few de-
sirable locations on the lower river, where fish cultural work
could be carried on successfully,'1 This observation was proved
correct, for the early records of hatchery work on the Grande Ronde
River and its principal tributary, the Wallowa River, recount the
terrific difficulties encountered, such as trouble installing and
maintaining racks to stop the fish, and hatchery water supplies
freezing during the winter months* As a result of such operational
difficulties these hatcheries never produced the number of fish
that the size of the runs would cause one to expectj the largest
egg-take was about U million chinook from 709 spawners and 7^
million silvers from 2,655 spawners, taken in the year 1902 on the
lower Grande Ronde near the mouth of the Wenaha River,

The runs of salmon into the Grande Ronde River have been
greatly depleted in recent years and artificial propagation of
salmon has been practically discontinued*

Despite its present depleted condition, the Grande Ronde River
system is capable of supporting large runs of salmon, and is of
great potential value to migratory fish. The greater portion of
the main stream and many of its tributaries extend through sparsely
settled, almost barren areas where there is little possibility of
agricultural or industrial developments that would interfere with
the runs of fish.

31

AREA FIVE

SUB AREA
GRANDE RONDE RIVER

LEGEND
Dam, partial barrier
Dam, total barrier
Waterfoll, total barrier
Stream surveyed
Stream not surveyed

Diversions
Unscreened, capacity less than lOcfs
Unscreened, copacity 10 — lOOcf.s.
Unscreened, capacity 100 — 500 cfs

0 $ 1,0

Scole in Miles

V

_/■

,-'VJeP

o^o

f?i

Ox

erV

s*

\

f
i

-7

si

/ 1

I

I

l

>

St

fV\.

<N<rV

1

\

1

s

\

\

1
\

1

\

W

r

i

h \

Figure fi.--0r6iide Ro:i'!e River S\stem.

.32

List of Streams

Page

13* Main Grande Ronde River . • 31

A. Joseph Creek 33

B. Shumaker Creek • 3U

C. Deer Creek 3U

D. Buford Creek 3U

E. Rattlesnake Creek 3U

F. Cottonwood Creek «... 3U

G. Bear Creek 3U

H. Medicine Creek • 3U

I. Wenatchge Creek 3U

J* Grouse Creek • 3U

K. Bear Creek 3U

L. Wenaha River 3U

M. Courtney Creek

N. Mud Creek 3$

0. Wildcat Creek 35

P. Cabin Creek 35

Q. Sickfoot Creek 3$

R. Grossman Creek 35

S. Elbow Creek 35

T. Bear Canyon Creek 35

U. Wallowa River 35

( 1) Howard Creek 37

(2) Minam River 37

(3) Big Canyon Creek 37

(U) Dry Creek 38

(5) Bear Creek 38

(6) Whiskey Creek 38

(7) Lostine River 38

( 8) Parsnip Creek 39

(9) Trout Creek 39

(10) Prairie Creek 39

(11) Hurricane Creek 39

(12) West Fork, Wallowa River UO

(13) East Fork, Wallowa River UO

V* Lookingglass Creek UO

(1) Little Lookingglass Creek ...... Ul

W. Cabin Creek Ul

X* Gordon Creek hi

Y. Phillips Creek Ul

Z. Clark Creek Ul

AA. Indian Creek U2

BB. Willow Creek U2

CC. Catherine Creek U2

(1) Mill Creek U3

(2) Ladd Creek UU

(3) Little Creek UU

(U) Pyle Creek UU

33

Page

(5) Little Catherine Creek « kh

(6) North Fork, Catherine Creek UU

a. Middle Fork, Catherine Creek hS

(7) South Fork, Catherine Creek h$

DD. Fivepoint Creek U6

EE. Rock Creek U6

FF. Whiskey Creek U6

GG. Spring Creek U6

HH. Jordan Creek * U6

II. Beaver Creek « U6

JJ. Meadow Creek • . • hi

(1) Dark Canyon Creek hi

(2) McCoy Creek hi

(3) Marley Creek • U7

(U) Burnt Corral Creek * hi

(5) Battle Creek « .. hi

(6) Campbell Creek ....<, hi

(7) Bear Creek hi

KK. Fly Creek ^7

LL. Sheep Creek hi

MM. Limber Jim Creek It 8

NN. Clear Creek « U8

34

Figure 6.— Lower section of Grande Ronde River, looking
downstream from bridge at Troy, Oregon.

55

The Survey

13. Main Grande Ronde River. — (October 9-17, 19U0, Parkhurst
and Freyj and August 10-20, 19U1, Parkhurst, Frey, Bryant, and
Zimmer.) The Grande Ronde River extends for about 200 miles through
several physiographic regions, each having distinctive stream char-
acters, before reaching its source in the Blue Mountains of the Whit-
man National Forest in eastern Oregon. Its general direction of flow
is northeast.

In the lower section the river flows for a distance of approxi-
mately 90 miles through a deep, narrow canyon which gradually recedes
upstream. Vegetation is sparse, and the stream is subject to rapid
fluctuations in volume. The stream had an average width of about 150
feet in this section on October 10, 19U0, and was discharging 698 c.f .s.
at a point 81 miles above the mouth, just downstream from the mouth of
the Wallowa River. Gaging station records of the U.S. Geological
Survey for the 19 year period 1926-19U5, taken at the same point, show
discharges ranging from a maximum of 22,UOO c.f.s. in March, 1932, to
a minimum of 22$ c.f.s, in December, 1935 • The average discharge at
the same station and for the same period was 1,867 c.f.s. The stream
gradient is moderate, with numerous shallow riffle areas and an ade-
quate number of resting pools. There are no obstructions or water
diversions in this lower portion of the river. There were a few silver
salmon spawners in the lower river at the time of the survey, but the
number of these fish could not be estimated because of the turbid con-
dition of the water. This section is capable of supporting large runs
of chinook and silver salmon.

The middle portion of the river extends for a distance of about
60 miles, from a point 6 miles below Elgin, Oregon, up to LaGrande,
Oregon. In the lower part of this section the river extends for a dis-
tance of 6% miles through the fertile Elgin valley, which is U miles or
more in width and highly cultivated. This portion of the river main-
tains a fairly moderate gradient, and offers extensive spawning areas.
The river extends through a narrow, rocky gorge from 2 miles to U miles
above Elgin. This small canyon contains a large amount of bedrock in
the stream bed, and is of no value to salmon. Above the canyon the
Grande Ronde valley opens into an extensive floodplain 10 miles to 15
miles wide and about 5>0 miles long* The river meanders through this
flat valley section up to Island City, Oregon, 2 miles below LaGrande.
The gradient in this section is extremely slight, the flow often being
imperceptible. The stream bed is composed almost entirely of mud and
clay, and is worthless to migratory fish. The volume of flow in about
27 miles of this meandering portion of the stream is greatly reduced
by the State ditch, which was cut across a huge bend of the river in
order to prevent flooding during high water stages. There is little or
no flow in the slough-like portion of the river cut off by the State
ditch above the mouth of Catherine Creek. At the time of observation,

36

August 20, 19U1, the river was discharging 1*2 c*f*s. at a point 2\
miles upstream from LaGrande* Gaging station records of the U.S.
Geological Survey for a total of 31 years, taken at or near the
same point, show discharges ranging from a maximum of 8,880 c.f.s.
in March*1932 to a minimum of 3#9 c*f*s* in August, 19l*0. The
average discharge for the same period was 3U5 c.f .s. From Island
City upstream to the upper end of the valley just above LaGrande,
a distance of about h miles, the river loses its sluggish character
and the gradient becomes fairly moderate. On August 20, 19 Ul, the
river had an average width of only 20 feet in this section and there
was a large amount of exposed stream bed, due to the numerous water
diversions and the natural low water conditions at this season*
Below the lowermost diversion at Island City the river was reduced
to a flow of less than 2 c.f.s* There were approximately 80,000
square yards of potential spawning area in this section, of which
less than 10 percent was considered suitable because of flow condi-
tions, and also because of the large amount of silt deposited as
a result of the operation of two gravel dredges in the stream bed.

There are several obstructions and diversions located be-
tween Island City and LaGrande. The first of these is a debris
jam at Island City, probably impassable to fish at low water stages.
Approximately one mile above Island City there is a power diversion
dam about 3 feet high which is considered impassable at low water.
The diversion at this point amounts to 6 c.f.s., and furnishes power
to a flour mill at Island City* There are several small irrigation
pumps about 1^ miles above Island City that operate only intermit-
tently. Approximately two miles above Island City there is a stone
diversion dam 2\ feet high which is a barrier at low water* This
dam diverts a maximum flow of about 2$ c.f.s. into the Caviness
irrigation ditch. About 350 yards upstream from the Caviness ditch
the May Park irrigation ditch withdraws a maximum flow of about 20
c.f.s. Approximately three miles above Island City the Nessley
Irrigation Ditch withdraws about 6 c.f.s. About four miles above
Island City there is an old irrigation ditch, which was not in use
at the time of observation. About 2$0 yards farther upstream there
is a rock dam 2\ feet high, which is a barrier to fish at low water.
On August 20, 19 Ul, this dam was diverting about 20 c.f.s* into the
LaGrande irrigation ditch* The ditch also supplies water to a
slaughter house and a lumber mill in LaGrande, which necessitates a
fairly large, constant diversion. None of the water diversions on the
Grande Ronde River is provided with any fish protective devices.
This has undoubtedly contributed to the present depleted condition of
the runs of migratory fish*

37

Figure 7.— A section of the upper Grande Ronde River, to
show damage to stream bed caused by mining
dredge operation.

38

The upper section of the river extends from LaGrande for a
distance of about 50 miles upstream. From LaGrande up to the mouth
of Meadow Creek, a distance of about 2$ miles, it extends through
a very narrow, steep-walled valley. In the lower 6J miles of this
section, up to the mouth of Five Point Creek, the spawning area is
only of fair quality, since the stream bed contains a large amount
of bedrock and large rubble. The Orodell irrigation diversion is
located about $0 yards upstream from the old road bridge in LaGrande,
or 2f>0 yards above the LaGrande ditch. The low stone dam in con-
nection with this diversion is not a barrier to fish. The Gekler
irrigation diversion is located $0 yards upstream from the Orodell
ditch. The diversion dam is on a side channel, and is not an ob-
struction to fish. Above the mouth of Fivepoint Creek the quality
of the spawning area begins to improve. Above Meadow Creek the
valley opens to a width of h to 6 miles, and the river exhibits
almost continuous excellent spawning area for a distance of 2 miles
up to Starkey, Oregon. A short distance above Starkey the valley
becomes increasingly narrow, and the stream gradient increases,
although it is still classed as moderate. Several tributaries enter
about 10 miles above Starkey, and the flow in the main stream above
this point was reduced to $ c,f,s. at the time of the survey* About
Ik miles above Starkey there are three log and debris jams at 100
yard intervals, all impassable to fish at low water. Good spawning
areas continue for a distance of 15 miles above Starkey, At this
point the stream bed has been literally torn up by a gold dredge and
deposited as conical mounds of gravel tailings. This upheaval con-
tinues for a distance of two miles upstream. At the time of observa-
tion,, on August 10, 19 Ul, the flow was entirely beneath the surface
of the stream bed in this two mile section, due to the former dredg-
ing operation. There is also a debris jam at the lower end of the
mining tailings that is impassable at low water. The principal bad
effect of the gold dredging operation has been the excessive silting
of the excellent spanning areas farther downstream. In the main
stream above LaGrande there are approximately 2^0,000 sq, yd. of
suitable salmon spawning area, constituting 23 percent of the total
main stream bed in this section. Since the salmon runs in the upper
Grande Ronde river had been already depleted to the point of extinction,
the mining operations cannot be blamed for their present condition.
However, any attempt to reestablish a run of salmon in the upper
portion of the river would encounter serious difficulties if such
mining operations are continued. The stream extends for a distance
of only five miles above the upper end of the mine tailings to its
source at Grande Ronde lake. This is a very small body of water near
the crest of the Blue Mountains at an elevation of more than 7,000
feet* The stream is very small in the uppermost five miles, and the
gradient is so steep that it is of no possible value to migratory fish,

13A. Joseph Creek. — (Not surveyed) Joseph Creek enters the
Grande Ronde River approximately l»^ miles above the mouth. It extends
for a distance of about 60 miles through a deep canyon to its source

39

on the northern slope of the Wallowa Mountains* It is the only
tributary to the Grande Ronde River* below the mouth of the Wenaha
River that is of possible significant value to salraon. A lengthy
pack trip is required in order to make a fisheries evaluation of
the stream*

13B* Shumaker Creek, 13C* Deer Creek , 13D* Buford Creek,
13E, Rattlesnake Creek, T3F. Cottonwood Creek, 130* Bear Creek,
and 13E. Medicine Cre'ek* — (October 15, 19bC; Parkhurst and Froy#)
These are all short streams entering the Grande Ronde River 16 to
31 niles above the mouth. The largest, Cot-conwood Creek, was dis-
charging about 5 c*f*s», and the smallest, Medicine Creek* had
practically no flow at the time of observation* They are alike in
that all have low flows during the late summer and fall months)
all have fairly steep gradients, and their stream beds are composed
chiefly of large rubble* Except for a few steelhead trout that may
enter several of them at high water, they are of no value to
migratory fish.

131 • Wenatchee Creek* — (October l£, 19^0} Parkhurst and Frey*)
Wenatchee Creek enters the Grande Ronde River approximately 36 miles
above the mouth. It is about l£ miles long, and was discharging
about 20 c*f *s* at the time of the survey* The gradient is fairly
steep, but the stream contains some good spawning area and appears -to
be of possible value to both salmon and steelhead trout*

13J« Grouse Creek.-— and 13K* Bear Creek»~- (October 1$, 19U0;
Parkhurst and Frey*) These two small streams enter the Grande Ronde
River approximately 39 miles and uh miles above the mouth, respectively*
Both were discharging less than 1 c*f *s* at the time of observation*
They are of no possible value to salmon.

13L. Wenaha River,— (October l!?, 19U0j Parkhurst and Frey,)
The Wenaha River enters the Grande Ronde River approximately 45$
miles above the mouth* The main stream extends for a distance <of
approximately 17 miles to the principal forks* In addition, the
north fork extends approximately 6 miles, the south fork approximately
11 miles, and there are several other good sized tributaries* The
stream was hi feet wide near the moutn, and was discharging about
110 c.f ,s, at the time of observation* The gradient is moderate,
with numerous shallow riffles and a large amount of suitable spawning
area. The Wenaha formerly supported a small run of Chinook salmon
and a fair run of silver salmon. The Oregon State Department of
Fisheries maintained an egg-taking station in the years 1901 and 1902
at the mouth of the Wenaha, where both the Grande Ronde and Wenaha
Rivers were racked. In 1903 the station was moved several miles up
the Wenaha River, where eggs were taken from 25 chinook and U83
silver salmon (Annual Report for 1903, Oregon State Department of
Fisheries). No further fish cultural work was attempted on the
Wenaha, this work being transferred to the Wallowa River* Small runs
of silver salmon and steelhead trout are reported as still ascending
the Wenaha, and the stream appears to be of considerable potential

40

value to these species,

13M, Courtney Creek, 13N, Mud Creek, 130, Wildcat Creek,
13P. Cabin Creek, 13Q« Sickfoot Creek, 13R» Grossman Creek,
13S. Elbow Creek, and 13T« Bear Canyon Creek, — (October 15, 19U0j
Parkhurst and Frey. ) These are all short streams entering the
Grande P.onde River U6§ miles to 66| miles above the mouth. Wild-
cat Creek, entering 53i miles above the mouth, appears to be the
best for migrating fish. The stream was discharging about 7 c,f,s,
at the time of observation. The gradient is ncderate, with some
good spawning area. It was reported that a run of steelhead trout
enters the stream in February and March, Lower Wildcat Creek was
considered at one time by the Oregon State Department of Fisheries
as a possible water supply for a salmon hatchery on the Grande Ronde
River, In common with the other small streams listed, it is of
littlevalue to salmon,

13U, Wallowa River, — (October 12-17, 19U0j Parkhurst and Frey,)
The Wallawa River is the principal tributary of the Grande Ronde* It
enters the latter stream 81^ miles above the mouth, and extends for a
distance of approximately 55 miles. Measurements taken at a fairly
low water stage, on October Lb, I9I1O, at a point about 10 miles above
the mouth, and below all major tributaries, gave a stream width of
about 150 feet and a discharge of approximately 320 c.f ,s. The mean
minimum and mean maximum flows at the same point for the period
1903-191U ranged from 272 c.f.s, to 5,153 c,f.s», with an average
mean flow of 1,17U c,f,s, (Water Resources of the State of Oregon).
The gradient is moderate to fairly steep throughout, with numerous
shallow riffles and abundant excellent spawning area, but few good
resting pools.

The Oregon State Fish Commission established a salmon and
steelhead eyeing station on the Wallowa River in the year 1903 at a
point about 83- miles above the mouth, A hatchery was built at this
location in the year 1905, but operations were greatly hampered by
extremely cold weather during the late fall and winter. The annual
reports of the Oregon State Fish Commission indicate that the best
yearly egg-takes at this station for the various species amounted to
somewhat over 2 million Chinook eggs, h million silverside eggs, and
1 million steelhead eggs. This station was closed in the year 1913,
due to the continued decline in the number of salmon entering the
stream and trouble with the water supply during the winter months.
In the years 1921-1922 a hatchery with an excellent spring water supply
was established farther upstream, near Enterprize, Oregon, Since the
year 1935 this station has been operated mainly by the Oregon Game
Commission for the propagation of trout. Large numbers of the land-
locked form of blueback salmon, locally termed Tanks", also are pro-
pagated at this station.

41

There are numerous irrigation diversions on the Wallowa Hirer,
but no dams or other obstructions below the outlet of Lake Wallowa
that might interfere with the upstream migration of fish. At the
time of the survey none of the water diversions was screened to pre-
vent the loss of fish. This condition has been one of the chief
causes for the depletion of the runs of salmon in the Wallowa, and
has been recognized as such in the annual reports of the Master Fish
Warden of Oregon as early as the year 1901. Two of the principal
water diversions are located near the town of Wallowa, approximately
23 miles above the mouth0 The lower of these was withdrawing about
20 c.f .s. for irrigation at the time of observation. The upper di-
version was withdrawing 70 c.f.s, for industrial purposes, the larger
portion of this being returned to the river about 1 mile downstream. In
addition to a number of small diversions throughout the course, there
are four large irrigation diversions and one power diversion occurring
in the 2 mile section between the town of Joseph and Lake Wallowa.
These diversions take the greater part of the flow in the main stream
above Joseph during the late summer and fall months.

The Granger Canal is located approximately l£ miles below the
dam at the outlet of Lake Wallowa. The irrigation diversion flow
ranges from 0 to about 300 c.f.s.

The Big Bend Canal is located about \\ miles below the dam
at the outlet of Lake Wallowa. The irrigation diversion flow ranges
from 0 to about 120 c.f.s.

The Farmers Canal is located a short distance below the dam
at the outlet of Lake Wallowa. The irrigation diversion flow ranges
from 0 to about 1?0 c.f.s.

The Silver Lake Ditch is located at the Lake Wallowa dam.
The irrigation diversion flow ranges from 0 to about 130 c.f.s*, and
amounted to about 9 c.f.s. at the time of observation en October 12,
19U0.

The dam at the outlet of Lake Wallowa was built in the year
1929. It is of concrete construction, UO feet high, and is a total
barrier to the upstream migration of fish. On the lower aide of the
dam there is a diversion leading to the power plant at Joseph. The
diversion flow ranges from 0 to about 50 c.f.s., but is usually
less than 10 c.f.s. The regulated flow in the stream bed directly
below the dam ranges from 0 when there is no irrigation demand and
water is being impounded, to a maximum of more than £00 c.f.s. during
the high water stages in May, June, and July (Water Resources State
of Oregon). There is a stationary screen located 203 feet above the
dam, completely across the outlet of Lake Wallowa, far the purpose
of preventing the young land-locked blueback salmon from passing
downstream. The dam has resulted in the destruction of a large part
of the run of blueback salmon that formerly ascended to Lake Wallowa,
and the land-locking of the remainder. The good runs of Chinook
and silver salmon and steelhead trout that formerly utilised the

42

Wallowa River and many of it3 tributaries have been greatly depleted.
The stream has great potential value to salmon, but it is useless to
attempt to re-establish these runs unless the young fish are safe-
guarded from the numerous open water diversions.

Lake Wallowa is located approximately £0 miles above the mouth
of the Wallowa River. The lake is about 3| miles long and 1 mile wide,
and has a reservoir capacity of about Ul,000 acre-feet. It formerly
provided an excellent rearing area for blueback salmon. There is
little liklihood that the lake will ever again be accessible to ana-
dromous fish, its chief values now being as a recreational area and as
a reservoir for irrigation and power uses*

The Wallowa River extends for approximately 1 mile above
Lake Wallowa, where it is formed by the confluence of the west and
east forks. The flow at the forks ranges from a minimum of about
16 c.f .s. to a maximum of about 700 c.f ,s# This portion of the
river is of some value to land-locked blueback salmon and resident
trout.

13U-(1). Howard Creek. — (Not surveyed) Howard Creek enters
the Wallowa River 2 miles above the mouth. It is a small stream,
about 10 miles long, and is of little present value to salmon, al-
though it may be utilised to some extent by steelhead trout.

13U-(2). Minam River, — (October lU, 19U0j Parkhurst and Frey.)
The Minam River is one of the principal tributaries of the Wallowa,
and enters the latter stream approximately 10 miles above the mouth.
It extends for a distance of about h$ miles to its source at Minam
Lake. The lower portion of the stream extends through a very narrow
valley, which becomes a steep walled canyon upstream as the topo-
graphy becomes increasingly mountainous. The stream was slightly
more than 100 feet wide near the mouth, and was discharging about
150 cf.s. at the time pf the survey. Flow records for the years
1912-191U show that the discharge never drops below 100 c.f »s., and
at high water stages may exceed 1;,000 c.f.s. (Water Resources of the
State of Oregon). The stream gradient is moderate to fairly steep,
with numerous shallow riffles and an abundance of excellent spawning
area in the lower section, but few good resting pools. There is an
earth dam 10 feet high at the source, giving Minam Lake a reservoir
capacity of 1,000 acre-feet. This high, mountainous, headwater
portion of the stream is of no possible value to migratory fish.
The stream was reported formerly to have supported good runs of Chi-
nook and silver salmon and steelhead trout. Like the condition in
the entire Wallowa system, these runs have been greatly depleted,
the steelhead maintaining itself somewhat better than the other species*
The Minam River is of great potential value in any possible program
for the rehabilitation of the runs of anadromous fish in the Grande
Ronde and Wallowa River systems.

13U-(3)« Big Canyon Creek,— (October ill, 19U0; Parkhurst and
Frey.) Big Canyon Creek enters the Wallowa River approximately ll£
miles above the mouth, and extends for a distance of about 20 miles.
It was discharging about 5 c.f.s. at the time of the survey, and

was reported to become nearly dry at times in late summer* The stream

43

has a moderate gradient and excellent spawning areas. It is of some
possible value to migratory fish except at low water stages.

13U-(U). Dry Creek. — (October Ik, 1°U0; Parkhurst and Frey.^
Dry Creek enters the Wallowa River approximately 19 miles above the
mouth. It was UO feet wide near the mouth and discharging about
50 c.f.s. at the time of the survey. It is normally a small stream,
the high discharge being accounted for by the return flow from a large
irrigation diversion originating on the Wallowa River and joining Dry
Creek a short distance above the mouth. The gradient is moderate, and
the stream contains some excellent spawning area, but because of the low
natural flow in late summer above the irrigation return it was considered
to be of little possible value to salmon.

13U-(5). Bear Creek. — (October 16, 19^0; Parkhurst and Frey.)
Bear Creek enters the Wallowa River near the town of Wallowa, approxi-
mately 22 miles above the mouth, and extends for a distance of about
2$ miles. It had an average width of 15-20 feet, and was discharging
about 1$ c.f.s. at the time of the survey. Gaging station records
indicate that the flow during the water-year usually ranges from a
minimum of about 6 c.f.s. to a maximum of about 550 c.fes., with a
mean yearly flow of about 100 cf.s. (Water Resources of the State of
Oregon.) There are several small irrigation diversions in the upper
section of the stream. The gradient is moderate, and there are some
excellent spawning areas. Because of the low volume of flow at the
time of the Chinook salmon migration in July and August the stream is
of little potential value to this species, but it is attractive to
steelhead trout at higher water stages.

13U-(6). Whiskey Creek. — (October 16, 19U0; Parkhurst and Frey.)
Whiskey Creek enters the Wallowa River approximately 2k\ miles above
the mouth. It is a small stream, discharging less than 1 c.f.s. at the
time of the survey, and is of no possible value to salmon.

13U-(7). Lostine River.— (October 16, 19U0; Parkhurst and Fray.)
The Lostine River is one of the principal tributaries of the Wallowa,
and enters the latter stream approximately 26£ miles above the mouth.
It extends for a distance of about 30 miles, the upper part of the
course being through extremely rugged terrain. Its source is in Minam
Lake, at the opposite end of the lake from the source of the Minam River.
The stream had an average width of 3h feet, and was flowing at the rate
of 62 c.f.s. at a station 10 miles above the mouth on the date of obser-
vation. Gaging station records for the years 1912-13 and 192S-U5, taken
at the above station, show discharges ranging from a maximum of 2,5uO c.f.s.
in May 1913, to a minimum of 10 c.f.s. in November 1936. The average dis-
charge for 18 years was 175 c»f#s., according to U. S. Geological Survey
records. The gradient is moderate to fairly steep, with numerous shallow
riffles and an abundance of excellent spawning area. There are a number
of small irrigation diversions in the lower section of the stream. Most
of these withdraw about 2 c.f.s., and none is provided with fish pro-
tective devices. There is a domestic water supply dam 3| feet high

44

located 1 mile above the town of Lostine, or approximately 7 miles
above the mouth. This dam is not provided with a fishway, and is
passable to fish only at high water stages. The water diversion is
supplied by means of a well at one side of the dam, and does not
greatly reduce the flow. The Lostine River formerly supported good
runs of salmon, and it was reported to be of some present value to
steelhead trout. It is of considerable value to resident trouty
and also has a greater potential value for anadromous species .

13U_(8). Parsnip Creek.— (Not surveyed.) Parsnip Creek enters
the Wallowa River approximately 30 miles above the mouth. It is a
small stream, and becomes almost dry in late summer* It is of no
possible value to salmon.

13U-(9). Trout Creek.— (October 12, 19U0; Parkhurst and Frey.)
Trout Creek enters the Wallowa River about 2 miles downstream from
the town of Enterprise, or approximately Ul miles above the mouth.
It was discharging about 10 c.f ,s. at the time of the survey, but
the flow is greatly reduced during the late summer. The gradient is
moderate, and there is some good spawning area. Because of its small
size at the season of the Chinook salmon spawning migration, the
stream is of little possible value to this species.

13U-(10). Prairie Creek. — (October 16, 19u0; Parkhurst and Frey.)
Prairie Creek enters the Wallowa River near Enterprise, Oregon, approxi-
mately Ul§ miles above the mouth. The stream extends for a distance of
about 1$ miles through the upper part of the flat Wallowa Valley, The
gradient is slight through the greater part of the cultivated portion
of the watershed, and the stream bed contains a large amount of mud and
sand. The stream was 27 feet wide near the mouth, and was discharging
about 30 c,f,s. at the time of the survey. Two large irrigation di-
versions originating on the Wallowa River a short distance downstream
from Lake Wallowa discharge their return flows into Prairie Creek,
accounting for the relatively high volume of flow in the lower section.
The stream contains some spawning area, but does not appear to be alto-
gether suitable for salmon. It is formed by a number of small tribu-
taries near the head of Lake Wallowa, all of which are too small to be
of value to salmon.

13U-(11), Hurricane Creek , — (October 17, 19l|0j Parkhurst and
Frey,) Hurricane Creek enters the Wallowa River a short distance above
the mouth of Prairie Creek, near the town of Enterprise. The stream is
about 18 miles long, and has an average width of 25> feet. The gradient
is moderate to fairly steep, with numerous shallow riffles, adequate
resting pools, and excellent appearing spawning areas. Water measurements
taken at a point approximately 8 miles above the mouth, upstream from
all diversions, indicated a flow of about 60 c.f.s. at the time of the
survey. Records show that the flow at this point ranges from a minimum
of about 10 c.f.s, to a maximum of about 500 c.f.s. (Water Resources of the
State of Oregon.)

45

There is a concrete irrigation diversion dam located about 8 miles
above the mouth. This dam is 10 feet high, and is a barrier to fish.
The ditch was estimated to be withdrawing more than 30 c,f»s» at the
time of the survey. Approximately 100 feet farther upstream there
is another low irrigation diversion dam diverting about 5 c.f.s.
During the late summer there is often no flow in the stream bed
below the lower dam, all the water being taken for irrigation. For
this reason Hurricane Creek is of no possible value to salmon.

13U-(12). West Fork, Wallowa River. — (October 17, 1940;
Parkhurst and FreyTJ The West Fork joins the East Fork to form the
main Wallowa River approximately 1 mile above Lake Wallowa. It
extends for about 10 miles with a steep gradient through extremely
mountainous terrain to its source in several high mountain lakes.
The stream was 30 feet wide near the forks, very turbulent, and
flowing at an estimated rate of about 100 cf.s. at the time of the
survey. A waterfall 30 feet in height is located about \ mile above
the mouth. The short stream section below the falls is of some value
to land-locked blueback salmon. The greater portion of the stream is
of value only to resident trout.

13U-(13). East Fork, Wallowa River. — (October 17, 19U0;
Parkhurst and FreyT) The East Fork joins the West Fork to form the
main Wallowa River about 1 mile above Lake Wallowa. It is a small,
turbulent stream extending for a distance of about 5 miles to its
source in a high mountain lake. An impassable power dam 8 feet in
height is located 1^ miles above the forks. At the time of the survey
the flow just above the power diversion was 11 c.f.s., of which 6 c.f.s.
were being delivered to the power plant 1 mile downstream, and 5 c.f.s.
were being by-passed. The tailrace of the power plant discharges into
the West Fork \ mile downstream. Gaging station records of the U. S.
Geological Survey for the years 192U-U5, taken at a station J mile above
the mouth and 1 mile below the power diversion show discharges ranging
from a maximum flood of 300 c.f.s. in July, x937, to a minimum of
0.1 c.f.s. (regulated) in December, 1929. The average discharge for
the 21-year period was 11,9 c.f.s. Gaging station records taken at
the power plant tailrace over the same period of years show discharges
ranging from a maximum of 17 c.f.s. to periods of no flow. The power
plant average discharge for the 21-year period of record was 7*56 c.f.s.

The East Fork is of little possible value to fish other than
a few resident trout in the upper section.

13V. Lookingglass Creek. — (October 9, 19U0j Parkhurst and Frey.)
Lookingglass Creek enters the Grande Ronde River approximately 8$ miles
above the mouth. It extends for a distance of about 16 miles to its
source in several springs. The stream was U3 feet wide near the mouth,
and was discharging approximately 80 c.f.s. at the time of the survey.
The gradient is moderate, with numerous shallow riffles, good resting
pools, and an abundance of excellent spawning area. The watershed is
uninhabited, and there are no obstructions or water demands on the stream.

46

Numerous springs along the course and in the headwaters assure a
constant minimum flow. There are two hatchery sites on the stream,
one just above the mouth and the other at the mouth of Little
Lookingglass Creek. No information was obtainable on the present
size of the runs of anadromous fish into the stream, but they are
undoubtedly depleted, in common with the entire Grande Ronde system*
Lookingglass Creek is one of the best appearing smaller streams in
the system, and is of potential value to anadromous fish.

13V-(1). Little Lookingglass Creek. — (October 10, 19^0}
Parkhurst and Frey. ) Little Lookingglass Creek enters Lookingglass
Creek approximately 3& miles above the mouth and extends for a dis-
stance of about 20 miles, including its two main branches. It was
2ii feet wide near the mouth, and was discharging approximately
20 c.f.s, at the time of the survey. The stream branches at a point
1^ miles above the mouth, both forks remaining large enough for
several miles to accomodate migratory fish. Logging operations on
the watershed may lower the minimum sustained flow. The gradient
is moderate, with almost continuous good shallow riffles and excel-
lent spawning areas. At the time of the survey the stream appeared to
be of some potential value for small runs of migratory fish.

13W. Cabin Creek,— ■» (October 10, 19h0j Parkhurst and Frey.)
Cabin Creek enters the Grande Ronde River approximately 87 miles above
the mouth and extends for a distance of about 12 miles, including its
two main branches. It was 9 feet wide near the mouth, and was dis-
charging about 3 c.f.s. at the time of the survey. The stream branches
at a point l£ miles above the mouth, neither fork being large enough
to be of value to salmon. The gradient is moderate, with numerous
shallow riffles and excellent spawning areas. Cabin Creek is of
little possible value to salmon, but it may be utilized by steelhead
trout at higher water stages.

13X. Gordon Creek. — (October 10, 19h0j Parkhurst and Frey.)
Gordon Creek enters the Grande Ronde River approximately 9U miles
above the mouth. It is a small stream, discharging less than 1 c»f,s,
at the time of the survey. Because of its low flow during the late
summer and fall months the stream is of no possible value to salmon.

131, Phillips Creek.—. (October 9, 19U0j Parkhurst and Frey.)
Phillips Creek enters the Grande Ronde River near the town of Elgin,
approximately 96 miles above the mouth. The lower section of the stream
was completely dry at the time of observation. For this reason it is
of no possible value to salmon,

13Z, Clark Creek.— (October 10, 19U0j Parkhurst and Frey.)
Clark Creek enters the Grande Ronde River near the town of Elgin, approx-
imately 96 miles above the mouth, and extends for a distance of about
30 miles, including its two main branches. The north fork and the
middle fork of Clark Creek enter about 5 miles and $\ miles above the

47

Figure 8.— .Fishway and diversion dam for tho City of
Union domestic water supply, on Catherine
Creek.

48

mouth, respectively. Neither of these branches nor the main stream
above their confluence maintains a sufficient flow to be of value to
salmon. Clark Creek was discharging about 5 c.f »s. at the mouth at
the time of the survey. The lower two-mile section of the stream
has a moderate gradient and good spawning areas. About 3i miles up-
stream from the town of Elgin there is a low wing dam, passable to
fish, and a small irrigation diversion. Clark Creek is too small to
be of any significant value to salmon, although at higher water stages
it may be of some value to steelhead trout.

13AA, Indian Creek. — (October 9, 19U0j Parkhurst and Frey.)
Indian Creek enters the Grande Ronde River approximately 98 miles above
the mouth and extends for a distance of about 22 miles. The stream
was 8 feet wide at the mouth and was discharging about it c.f.s. at
the time of the survey. It has a moderate gradient and good spawning
areas. The town of Elgin maintains a domestic water supply dam and
diversion at a point about $\ miles above the mouth. This dam is
9 feet high , and is provided with a poor fish ladder, which is im-
passable at low water stages. It was reported that no salmon enter
Indian Creek during the fall months, but that a few (probably steel-
head treat) ascend during the spring high water period. The stream
does not maintain a sufficient flow during the late summer and fall
to be of any possible significant value to salmon.

13BB» Willow Creek,— (October 9, 19U0; Parkhurst and Frey.)
Willow Creek enters the Grande Ronde River approximately 101 miles
abeve the mouth and extends for a distance of about 20 miles through
a highly cultivated region. The stream was 1$ feet wide near the
mouth and was discharging about 20 cf .a. at the time of the survey.
It has a very slight gradient, a stream bed composed almost entirely
of mud and sand, and no suitable spawning area. Willow Creek is of
little or no possible value to salmon*

13CC. Catherine Creek.— (August 9-13» 19klj Frey and Bryant.)
Catherine Creek enters the Grande Ronde River approximately 135 miles
above the mouth. The main stream is about 30 miles long, of which only
the lower 9 miles are accessible to migratory fish at all times. The
gradient is very slight in the lower section, and the stream bed in the
lower 12 miles is composed entirely of mud and sand, with no suitable
spawning area. In the next 3 miles upstream the stream bed is so
heavily silted as to be of no value as salmon spawning area. Above
the town of Union, located about 16 miles above the mouth, the gradient
increases and suitable spawning areas are found. Water measurements
taken at the time of the survey indicated a flow of about 21 c.f.s. at
a point about 10 miles above the mouth. Due to irrigation diversions,
the flow was much greater farther upstream. Measurements taken at a
point about 25 miles above the mouth indicated a flow of 66 c.f.s.
Gaging station records of the U. S. Geological Survey, taken at a
station about 22 miles above the mouth, show flows ranging from a max-
imum flood of 1,7U0 c.f.s. in May, 19U8, to a minimum of h c.f.s. in

49

Figure 9.--A wire-oovered rock irrigation diversion
dam on Catherine Creek.

50

"November, 1930. The average discharge for 21 years was 116 c.f.s.
The water temperature at the time of the survey ranged from 7U°F.
near the mouth to 59°F. in the headwaters.

There were 19 dams on the main stream, 11 of which were
at least barriers at low water stages, and several of these partially
obstructed the passage of salmon even at high water. There were 29
water diversions on the main stream, of which only one, the intake
to the hatchery of the Oregon State Game Commission, was actually
screened. The only other screen was a grizzly with 1-inch spacing
at the intake to the flour mill in the town of Union,

There are several factors that have made conditions in
Catherine Creek unfavorable for the production of anadromous fish.
The first and most important of these is the effect of the dams and
water diversions previously mentioned. While the dams might be pro-
vided with fishways and the diversions screened, the extensive with-
drawal of water for irrigation, industrial, and domestic use cannot
be avoided. This often does not leave a sufficient volume of flow in
the stream bed at the time of the upstream migration of salmon. Second,
the water temperature becomes abnormally high in late summer, often
above 80 F, Such temperatures are not conducive to the successful
propagation of salmon or trout. It was reported that for this reason
fish could not be held at the state trout hatchery later than the
month of June, These high temperatures are due to the exposure of
the stream bed resulting from water diversions, and the removal of
timber in the headwaters. Third, flash floods have become increas-
ingly frequent occurrences. For example, on August 19, 19U1, a
cloudburst on the middle fork brought down a sudden $-foot high flood
of thick, muddy water. A local resident reported that when the crest
had passed he counted Uo dead adult salmon in a half-mile section of
the stream bordering his ranch. Such occurrences are also very damag-
ing to salmon and trout eggs and fry. These excessive floods are due
mainly to the removal of timber in the upper section of the watershed.
Under these conditions the stream is of little value in the production
of salmon*

The former good run of chinook salmon into Catherine Creek
has been greatly depleted. Twenty salmon spawners were counted during
the survey, but visibility was poor due to the turbidity of the water.
The run of steelhead trout has maintained itself much better, a fair
run of this species still ascending to the headwaters during the spring
high water stages.

13CC-(1). Mill Creek. — (August 13, 19Ulj Frey and Bryant.)
Mill Creek has two outlets; one discharging directly into the Grande
Ronde River, and the other discharging into Catherine Creek at a point
1 mile above the mouth. It is normally a small stream, about 10 miles
long, and flows through a highly cultivated region. The gradient is
slight in the lower section, and the lower 3^ miles of the stream bed

51

consist entirely of mud. Suitable spawning area first appears about
^ mile below the village of Cove. A small power dam at Cove is a
total barrier to migratory fish. A few steelhead trout ascend to the
power dam, but Chinook salmon are not reported to enter. The stream
is used extensively for irrigation, and is of little possible value
to anadromous fish.

13CC-(2). Ladd Creek » — (August 11, 19Ulj Frey and Bryant.)
Ladd Creek enters Catherine Creek about 6| miles above the mouth. It
is a small stream, about 15 miles long, extending through a highly
cultivated region. The gradient is slight throughout most of the
course, and the stream bed is composed chiefly of mud. In the upper
third of the course, where the gradient is moderate and the stream bed
is composed of gravel, the flow is only 2-3 c.f.s., and the stream is
too small to be of value to salmon.

13CC-(3)« Little Creek, — (August 12, 19ulj Frey and Bryant.)
Little Creek is a small, intermittent stream entering Catherine Creek
about 10^ miles above the mouth. It extends for about 2h miles, and
is used so extensively for irrigation that water must be diverted from
Catherine Creek into the lower part of the course. In the lower section
the gradient is slight and the stream bed is composed of mud. Several
irrigation diversion dams are barriers to the migration of fish. The
stream is too small in the upper section to be of any possible value to
salmon*

13CC-(U). Pyle Creek. — (August 12, 19Ulj Frey and Bryant.)
Pyle Creek is a small, intermittent stream entering Catherine Creek
about 11^ miles above the mouth. It discharges only 1^-2 c.f.s. during
the summer months, most of the flow being used for irrigation. The
gradient is slight, and the stream bed is composed chiefly of silt.
The stream is of no possible value to salmon*

13CC-(5), little Catherine Creek*— (August 13, 19Ulj Frey and
Bryant.) Little Catherine Creek enters Catherine Creek approximately
2$ miles above the mouth and extends for a distance of about 7 miles.
It is a small stream, the average discharge during the summer being
only about £ c.f.s. One-fourth mile above the mouth the stream emerges
from a narrow canyon having a steep gradient, numerous log and debris
jams, and little suitable spawning area. The lower quarter-mile has
some spawning area, and may be utilized by a few salmon in years when
the stream is not too shallow for them to enter. The lower section
is also of some possible value to steelhead trout,

13CC-(6). North Fork, Catherine Creek.— (August 9, 19ulj
Frey and Bryant.) The North Fork enters Catherine Creek approximately
29 miles above the mouth and extends for a distance of about 11 miles.
The stream was 21 feet wide near the mouth, and was discharging about
28 c.f.s. at the time of the survey. It is not a particularly good
appearing salmon stream, the gradient being steep and the stream bed

52

containing a considerable amount of large rubble. About 10 percent
of the stream bed was classified as suitable spawning area. The
first obstructions were two recently formed log jams located about
3 miles and 3^ miles above the mouth* These and several other log
and debris jams farther upstream caused by road building operations
were at least barriers to fish at low water stages, and probably
limited the migration of salmon. A fair sized run of chinook salmon
formerly ascended as far as the confluence of the middle fork,
approximately 3^ miles above the mouth, and steelhead trout ascended
much farther upstream. These runs, especially the salmon, are now
greatly depleted. During the survey three chinook salmon spawners
were observed about one mile above the mouth, and a small spring run
of steelhead trout was reported. The North Fork is of slight present
value as a salmon producer, but its potential value would be increased
by the removal of log and debris jams.

13CC-(6)a. Middle Fork. Catherine Creek.— (August 9, 19Ul;
Bryant.) The Middle Fork enters the north fork of Catherine Creek
approximately 3? miles above the mouth and extends for a distance of
about 5 miles. The stream had an average width of 6 feet near the
mouth, and was discharging about 5 c.f.s. at the time of the survey.
The gradient is steep, with numerous cascades and there is little
suitable spawning area. Like the north fork, it has been filled with
log and debris jams resulting from road building and logging opera-
tions, which impede the passage of fish. The stream is now also
blocked to salmon ascending at low water stages by jams on the north
fork. It formerly supported a small run of chinook salmon, but is of
no present value to salmon. A few steelhead trout are reported to
ascend at high water stages.

13CC-(7). South Fork. Catherine Creek.— (August 9, 19Ulj
Frey.) The South Fork enters Catherine Creek approximately 29 miles
above the mouth and extends for a distance of about 9 miles. The
stream had an average width of 1$ feet near the mouth, and was dis-
charging about 27 c.f.s. at the time of the survey. The gradient,
although steep, is less than that of the other branches of Catherine
Creek. It was estimated that 13 percent of the stream bed consisted
of suitable spawning area, which was a larger amount than that found
in any of the other tributaries. There are numerous log and debris
jams, many being impassable to fish at low water stages. The South
Fork formerly supported the largest runs of chinook salmon and steeL-
head trout of the three branches of Catherine Creek. These runs have
been greatly depleted in recent years, principally because of ob-
structions in both Catherine Creek and the South Fork. The stream
is of little present value to salmon, but retains some value for a
spring run of steelhead trout. Its potential value to anadromous
fish could be greatly increased by the removal of log and debris
jams*

53

13DD, Fivepoint Creek. — (August 15, 19Ulj Parkhurst.)
Fivepoint Creek enters the Grande Ronde River 6£ miles above the town
of LaGrande, or approximately l£6| miles above the mouth. There was
an appreciable flow in only the lower 2 miles at the time of the sur-
vey. The stream was 12 feet wide near the mouth, and was discharging
about l\ c.f.s. Fivepoint Creek formerly maintained a higher minimum
flow, and supported small runs of salmon and steelhead, as well as
resident trout. It is of no present or potential value to salmon,

13EE. Rock Creek .— (August 1$, 19kl} Zimmer.) Rock Creek
enters the Grande Ronde River less than one-quarter of a mile above
Fivepoint Creek. At the time of the survey it was discharging about
2 c.f.s., and was practically dry at a point 1 mile above the mouth.
The stream is of no present or potential value to salmon.

13FF. TWhiskey Creek. — (August 17, l°Ulj Zimmer.) Whiskey
Creek enters the Grande Ronde River about 9 miles above the town of
LaGrande. It is a small stream, discharging about \ c.f.s. at the
time of the survey, and is of no present or potential value to anad-
romous fish.

13GG.. Spring Creek.— (August 16, 19ulj Zimmer.) Spring Creek
enters the Grande Ronde River about 10 miles above the town of LaGrande.
It was discharging less than 1 c.f.s. at the time of the survey, and is
of no present or potential value to anadromous fish.

13HH. Jordan Creek.— (August 21, 19Ulj Zimmer.) Jordan Creek
enters the Grande Ronde River about 11 miles above the town of LaGrande.
At the time of the survey it was discharging about 2 c.f.s., and was
practically dry at a point 1^ miles above the mouth. Jordan Creek
formerly maintained a higher minimum flow, and supported small runs of
salmon and steelhead, as well as resident trout. It is of no present
or potential value to anadromous fish.

13H« Beaver Creek. — (August 21, 19Ulj Parkhurst.) Beaver
Creek enters the Grande Ronde River about 17 miles above the town of
LaGrande. The course extends for about 18 miles, of which the lower
2 miles were surveyed. The stream was 1$ feet wide at the mouth, and
discharging about 6 c.f.s. at the time of the survey. It decreased to
a width of 8 feet and a flow of about 3 c.f.s. at a point 2 miles above
the mouth, and the upper section was considered too small to be of
possible value to salmon. The gradient is moderate in the lower section,
with good shallow riffles, adequate resting pools, and excellent spawn-
ing areas. It was estimated that there were about 15,000 sq.yd. of
suitable spawning area in the lower 2 miles, constituting 6k percent
of the stream bed in that section. The entire stream is inaccessible
to migratory fish at low water stages because of obstructions in the
main Grande Ronde River, and is therefore of no present value for
salmon production. A domestic water reservoir supplying the town of
LaGrande is located in the headwaters of the stream. This structure

54

does not hinder fish life. Beaver Creek is of value to resident
trout, and of some possible value to steelhead at high water stages.
The lower section of the stream is of potential value to salmon.

13JJ. Meadow Creek. — (August 23-2$, l?Ulj Parkhurst and
Zimmer.) Meadow Creek enters the Grande Ronde River approximately
18^ miles above the town of LaGrande. The stream is about 2k miles
long, of which the lower 11-| miles were surveyed. It was considered
to be of no possible value to salmon above the terminus of the survey
because -the flow had decreased to less than 2 c.f.s. The stream was
US feet wide near the mouth, and was discharging only about 10 c.f.s.,
the survey being conducted at low water stage. The gradient is moder-
ate to fairly steep, with numerous shallow riffles comprising good
spawning areas. It was estimated that there were Ij7,000 sq.yd. of
suitable spawning area constituting 23 percent of the stream bed in
the section surveyed. Numerous beaver dams were found, several con-
stituting barriers to fish at low water. A low^temporary, loose rock
dam located approximately 6 miles above the mouth was also a barrier
at low water. Meadow Creek formerly supported a good run of chinook
salmon. This run has been depleted to the point of extermination.
The entire stream is inaccessible to anadromous fish at low water
stages because of dams in the main Grande Ronde River. A fair spring
run of steelhead was reported, and a few small resident trout and
numerous rough fish were observed. Meadow Creek is of no present
value to salmon, but with some stream improvements it would be of
good potential value.

13JJ-(1)« Dark Canyon Creek. — (2). McCoy Creek.— (3). Marley
Creek. — (U). Burnt Corral Creek. — (5)» Battle Creek. — (6)» Campbell
Creek.— and (7). Bear Creek.— (August 23-25, 19Ulj Parkhurst and
Zimmer,) These are all small tributaries to Meadow Creek in the section
surveyed. Their discharges ranged from ^ c.f ,s. to 2 c.f.s, at the time
of the survey, McCoy Creek being the largest. None was considered of
any possible value to salmon, although a few steelhead trout were re-
ported to enter them at high water stages.

13KK. Fly Creek, — (August Hi, 19U1} Zimmer.) Fly Creek enters
the Grande Ronde River approximately 23 miles above the town of LaGrande.
It was discharging about 1 c.f.s. at the time of the survey, which was
an extreme low water stage. The stream is of no possible value to
salmon, but is of some slight value to resident trout, and possibly of
slight value to steelhead trout at high water stages.

13LL. Sheep Creek.— (August 28, 19Ulj Parkhurst and Zimmer.)
Sheep Creek enters the Grande Ronde River approximately 32 miles above
the town of LaGrande. The stream is approximately 10 miles long, of
which the lower 6 miles were surveyed. It was 15 feet wide near the
mouth and was discharging about h c.f.s. at the time of the survey.
The flow was less than 2 c.f.s. at the upper terminus of the survey.
The gradient is slight to moderate, with numerous shallow riffles, good

56

resting pools, and excellent spawning areas. It was estimated
that there were 15,000 square yards of suitable spawning area, con-
stituting U0 percent of the total stream bed in the section surveyed.
A low, wooden diversion dam located 3 miles above the mouth is a
barrier to fish at low water stages. The diversion consists merely
of a 6-inch pipe operated by a pump. Sheep Creek is of some value
to resident trout, and also to steelhead at high water stages. It
is of no present value and of slight potential value to salmon.

131IM. Limber Jim Creek. — (August 10, 19Ulj Parkhurst.)
Limber Jim Creek enters the Grande Ronde River approximately J-> miles
above the town of LaGrande. It was discharging about 2 c.f.s. at the
time of the survey, which was at an extreme low water stage. The
stream is of no possible value to salmon, but is of some slight value
to resident trout, and also of some possible value to steelhead trout
at higher water stages*

13NN-. Clear Creek.— (August 10, 19U1; Parkhurst.') Clear
Creek enters the Grande Ronde River approximately 37 miles above the
town of LaGrande, in a section where the stream bed of the main Grands
Ronde has been badly torn up by gold dredges,. The stream is about
8 miles long, and divides into two small branches U miles above the
mouth. The discharge was about 3 c.f.s. at the time of the survey.
Clear Creek is of some slight value to resident trout, and al3o of
some possible value to steelhead trout at higher water stages.

56

TABLE OF OBSTRUCTIONS AND DIVERSIONS

Name of Stream and Height
Type of Obstruction in

or Diversion Feet

GRANDE RONDE RIVER

Mill power dam *• ....... 3

Caviness irrigation dam and

diversion • 2\

May Park irrigation diversion -

Nessley irrigation diversion. -

Irrigation diversion -

LaGrande irrigation dam and

diversion •• 2\

Orodell irrigation dam and

diversion • l£

Qakler irrigation dam and

diversion Low

Gold dredge tailings 3-5

WALLOWA RIVER

Numerous small irrigation

diversions . . • -

Irrigation diversion -

Industrial diversion -

Granger irrigation canal ....

Big Bend irrigation canal ...

Farmers irrigation canal ....

Silver Lake irrigation canal. -

Power dam UO

MINAM RIVER

Dam 10

LOSTINE RIVER

Numerous small irrigation

diversions -

Domestic water supply dam ... 3^
HURRICANE CREEK

Irrigation dam and diversion. 10

Irrigation dam and diversion. Low
WEST FORK, WALLOWA RIVER

Falls , 30

EAST FORK, WALLOWA RIVER

Power dam •• 8

CLARK CREEK

Irrigation diversion -

INDIAN CREEK

Domestic water supply dam . .. 9
CATHERINE CREEK

19 dams and 29 diversions ••• -

Diversion
in

c.f.s»

Existing

Protective

Devices

None

25

None

20

None

6

None

0 (dry)

None

20

None

15

None

12

None

—

None

_

None

20

None

70

None

0-300

None

0-120

None

o-i5o

None

0-130

None

o-5o

Screen

57

- None

None
From well None

30+ None

5 None

- None
0-17 None
Small None

2 Fishway-poor

- 1 screen
(continued on next pag$

TABLE OF OBSTRUCTIONS ASP DIVERSIONS (continued)

Name of Stream and Height Diversion Existing
Type of Obstruction in in Protective
or Diversion Feet c.f«a» Devices

MILL CHEEK

Power dam Low

Several irrigation diversions -
LITTLE CREEK

Several irrigation dams and

diversions ................ Low

PILE CHEEK

Several irrigation diversions -
NORTH FORK, CATHERINE CREEK

Several log and debris jams.. Low
MIDDLE FORK, CATHERINE CHEEK

Several log and debris jams.* Low
SOUTH FORK, CATHERINE CREEK

Numerous log and debris jams. Low
MEADOW CREEK

Numerous beaver dams ........ Low

SHEEP CHEEK

Diversion dam 1

-

None

Small

None

Small

None

Small

None

-

None

-

None

-

None

-

None

-1

None

g8 8U357

Interior— -Duplicating Section, Washington, D. C.

MI (fill \\ 1 | || | 1 1 i

=> WHSE 01019