Streams In Wyoming Research Articles

Summer diel activity and movement of adult brown trout in high‐elevation streams in Wyoming, U.S.A.

The variation in diel activity patterns was determined by implanting transmitters in adult brown trout of various sizes in two montane streams in two summers in the central Rocky Mountains, U.S.A. More brown trout tended to be active, and to move greater distances, each hour during twilight and night than during the day. Mean hourly light intensity was significantly negatively correlated with the proportion of fish active and with the distance moved. Maximum water temperature was not correlated with any measure of diel activity. Brown trout displayed fidelity to diurnal positions within a given diel cycle. Overall, fish were active an average of 11 h, had an average home range of 41 m, and moved an average of 121 m over the diel cycle. Fish length and distance moved were significantly positively correlated. Water temperature, predator avoidance, and foraging tactics may influence these patterns of diel behaviour in adult brown trout in U.S. streams.

Summer diel activity and movement of adult brown trout in high-elevation streams in Wyoming, U.S.A.

Summer diel activity and movement of adult brown trout in high-elevation streams in Wyoming, U.S.A.

Three new species of water mites representing new genera of thyadinae from North America (Acari: Hydrachnida: Hydryphantidae)

This paper provides original diagnoses of the genera Albertathyas gen. nov., Columbiathyas gen. nov. and Siskiyouthyas gen. nov. which are proposed to accommodate the newly described species Albertathyas montana sp. nov. from mountain streams in Alberta, Montana, Oregon and Wyoming, Columbiathyas crenicola sp. nov. from montane springs in British Columbia, Washington and Oregon and Siskiyouthyas rivularis sp. nov. from small cascades in coastal Oregon and California, respectively. Original illustrations of the palearctic species Vietsia scutata (Protz) are provided as the basis for an expanded diagnosis of Vietsia Lundblad to permit clear separation of Siskiyouthyas from this genus.

Estimating the Economic Value of Improved Trout Fishing on Wyoming Streams

Economic information that can be used to determine which management alternatives best meet public demands within limited budgets is important to resource management agencies. The objective of this study was to generate estimates of economic benefits of improvements on Wyoming trout fishing streams that could be used to evaluate different improvement projects. A mail survey was conducted to determine characteristics and preferences of anglers fishing Wyoming streams, and the contingent valuation method (CVM) was used to estimate economic benefits associated with fishing under improved conditions. Questions were associated with fishing for any or all trout species an angler might encounter on Wyoming streams. Benefits of improvement were based on CVM questions involving a hypothetical doubling of the chance of catching a large trout and a hypothetical increase in trout populations. Tourist and resident fishing license subgroups also were analyzed. Anglers in the tourist license group traveled long distances, spent more days fishing per trip, and had higher incomes than resident anglers. Consumer surplus estimates for the complete sample were US$101/d for increased trout populations and $132/d for doubling the chance of catching a large trout. Benefits for the resident angler for the large trout improvement and the population improvement were $87/d and $64/d, respectively. Tourist angler benefits were estimated at $227/d for the large trout improvement and $131/d for the population improvement. The results of this type of study can be used within a framework of net present value to evaluate and prioritize potential improvement projects.

Absence of Autumnal Changes in Habitat Use and Location of Adult Colorado River Cutthroat Trout in a Small Stream

Abstract Previous research has demonstrated that stream salmonids typically alter their behavior and habitat use with the onset of winter. Using radiotelemetry, I monitored the activity, habitat use, and location of Colorado River cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki pleuriticus in a small stream in south-central Wyoming from early July to late October. Summer (July through August) home ranges did not differ in size (32 m) or location from autumn (September through October) home ranges (38 m). Habitat use also remained constant in both seasons; trout were in pools for over 70% of the observations. However, daytime trout activity declined from 98% of observations in July and August to 48% in October. The lack of movement and failure to change habitat use may be attributable to the wide availability of suitable substrate for concealment and likely year-round low water temperatures.

Estimation of Potential Maximum Biomass of Trout in Wyoming Streams to Assist Management Decisions

Fishery managers can benefit from knowledge of the potential maximum biomass (PMB) of trout in streams when making decisions on the allocation of resources to improve fisheries. Resources are most likely to be expended on streams with high PMB and with large differences between PMB and currently measured biomass. We developed and tested a model that uses four easily measured habitat variables to estimate PMB (upper 90th percentile of predicted mean biomass) of trout (Oncorhynchus spp., Salmo trutta, and Salvelinus fontinalis) in Wyoming streams. The habitat variables were proportion of cover, elevation, wetted width, and channel gradient. The PMB model was constructed from data on 166 stream reaches throughout Wyoming and validated on an independent data set of 50 stream reaches. Prediction of PMB in combination with estimation of current biomass and information on habitat quality can provide managers with insight into the extent to which management actions may enhance trout biomass.

Mobility of brown trout in south-central Wyoming streams

Stream-resident brown trout (Salmo trutta) have often been considered to have small home ranges. To test this hypothesis, positions of adult brown trout in two streams were monitored from mid-June to early December 1991 and from late September 1992 to early June 1993 by using radiotelemetry. Thirty-seven of the 54 brown trout that were relocated at least once had home ranges greater than 50 m, trout larger than 340 mm moved more than did smaller brown trout, and movement of all fish tended to be greater in autumn. Different movement patterns of large and small fish imply the existence of two life-history strategies.

Restricted Movement in Resident Stream Salmonids: A Paradigm Lost?

Gerking (1959. Biol. Rev. 34: 221–242) proposed a theory about the restricted movement of stream fishes that may be considered a paradigm in salmonid biology. The restricted movement paradigm (our term) hold that resident stream salmonids are sedentary. Numerous studies have supported the restricted movement paradigm, but nearly all have relied on the recapture of marked fish from the same areas in which they were released, an approach we believe is biased against detecting movement. We found substantial movement of trout in streams in Colorado and Wyoming using two-way weirs and radio telemetry. A review of the research on Lawrence Creek, Wisconsin, also showed that movement was important in the response of the trout population to habitat enhancement. Movement of resident stream fish has profound implications for research (e.g., measuring production and habitat models) and management (e.g., habitat enhancement, special regulations, and stocking hatchery fish). Methods capable of detecting fish movement could be incorporated into many studies to assess its importance in systems of interest. New theories and experiments are needed to understand the mechanisms that cause stream salmonids to move.

The Effect and Extent of Railroad Tie Drives in Streams of Southeastern Wyoming

Abstract Millions of railroad ties were floated (driven) down streams in southeastern Wyoming between 1868 and 1940. We identified 61 tie-driven streams in or near the Medicine Bow National Forest. We hypothesized that tie drives, and the stream clearing associated with driving, altered channel morphology and riparian vegetation. When comparing stream reaches of similar width and gradient, we found that tie-driven stream reaches contained less coarse woody debris and had significantly lower densities of large riparian trees than did unaffected reaches. Tie-driven reaches had lower channel complexity, a greater proportion of riffles, and fewer plunge and dammed pools than did unaffected reaches. We found significant relations among characteristics of the riparian trees, coarse woody debris, and stream channel structure. Recovery of the affected reaches may be contingent on the long-term increase in large trees in the riparian zone. West. J. Appl. For. 9(4):125-130.

Quantitative Relations of Physical Habitat Features to Channel Slope and Discharge in Unaltered Mountain Streams

ABSTRACT Two habitat gradients—channel slope and stream size—are important determinants of physical habitat features among streams in the central Rocky Mountains. Among 48 stream reaches in 15 streams in southeastern Wyoming, 35 habitat features were assessed for their relation to channel slope and stream size. Simple-regression analysis identified 21 habitat features significantly related to channel slope and 12 related to stream size. Multiple-regression analysis demonstrated that both channel slope and stream size significantly accounted for variation in 15 habitat features. Among the 35 habitat variables, 32 were significantly related to channel slope or stream size.

Dynamics of Vegetation along and Adjacent to an Ephemeral Channel

Ephemeral channels may be greater contributors to nonpoint sediment loads than perennial channels because of their abundance and lower vegetative cover. This study examines above- and belowground standing crop responses of selected vegetation classes and density of shrubs to grazing use and yearly weather variation along an ephemeral stream in northcentral Wyoming. Aboveground biomass standing crop was determined yearly in channel, floodplain, and upland habitats in ungrazed and grazed pastures during the 4-year study. Belowground biomass and shrub densities were determined yearly in the channel habitat only. Perennial grass standing crop in channels did not respond to grazing but decreased up to 73% with decreases in frequency and amount of precipitation. In floodplains, perennial grasses were not responsive to grazing; annual grasses were twice as abundant in grazed pastures. Vegetation standing crop in uplands was not influenced by grazing. Over the study period in all pastures, standing crop of blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis (H.B.K.) Lag. ex Griffiths) declined 4 fold while cool-season grasses increased 5 fold. Shrub density did not increase as much in grazed as in ungrazed pastures. Root biomass of the channel decreased 23% in years with less precipitation but was greater by 24% on concave than convex bank types. Location on channels influenced root biomass but grazing did not. Lack of general negative grazing influences on vegetation suggest short periods (10 days) of grazing as used in this study represent a sustainable management alternative for grazing in the cold desert.

Biotoxicity Characterization of a Produced-Water Discharge in Wyoming

Summary The objectives of this investigation were to document the physicochemicaland aquatic toxicological quality of a physicochemical and aquatictoxicological quality of a "beneficial-use" produced-water dischargeand its effect on a receiving stream in Wyoming. Fish and water-flea survival, growth, and reproduction tests indicated that the discharge and all othersampling stations passed the state effluent biomonitoring acute toxicitytesting endpoints. While benthic macroinvertebrates were absent at thedischarge point designated by the Natl. Pollutant Discharge Elimination System(NPDES), productive and reproducing populations were present at all otherdownstream and mixing-zone populations were present at all other downstream andmixing-zone stations. This investigation confirmed the validity of thebeneficial-use subcategory for this oilfield discharge. Introduction Discharging produced waters into surface water in Wyoming is permittedpursuant to the requirements of the NPDES program under permitted pursuant tothe requirements of the NPDES program under the U. S, Clean Water Act. Suchdischarges are permitted under the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFRPart 435) for an oil- and gas-extraction point-source subcategory forbeneficial use in agriculture and wildlife propagation. The NPDES program wasoriginally envisioned to allow, and even to encourage, the beneficial use ofproduced water that is relatively fresh and otherwise of sufficient quality tomeet water demands over broad and semiarid portions of Wyoming. Since theinception of the Wyoming Dept of Environmental Quality's (DEQ's) permit programin the early 1970's, the following effluent limitations have applied to theseproduced- water discharges: total dissolved solids (TDS), 5,000 mg/L; chloride,2,000 mg/L, sulfates, 3,000 mg/L; oil and grease, 10 mg/L, and a pH between 6.5and 8.5. Since its implementation, the NPDES program has been subject toconstant revision and refinement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA). The original focus of the program was to apply technology- basedeffluent limitations, like those listed above to the various dischargecategories and subcategories. This goal has largely been achieved. A newer, water-quality-based objective for the control of toxic pollutants was announcedin 1984 and is being implemented in all U.S. pollutants was announced in 1984and is being implemented in all U.S. states with NPDES administrativeauthority, including Wyoming. The water- quality-based program focuses oncompliance with water-quality standards and designated uses of receivingwaters. One of the major objectives of the program is to achieve dischargesfree of acute toxicity at the end of the pipe and free of chronic toxicity atthe edge of the mixing zone.* In Wyoming, whole-effluent toxicity testingrequirements apply only to produced-water discharges into Class I, II, or IIIstreams (i.e., of high aquatic value, called "live" waters). Acceptableperformance for the acute water flea and fathead minnow aquatic toxicity testsspecified by the State of Wyoming is more than 50 % survival for the prescribedexposure periods for both species. Unsatisfactory test results require thattoxicity be reduced or eliminated or that the discharge be discontinued. Discharges into Class IV low-aquatic-value water bodies like Cottonwood Creekare not required to perform effluent toxicity tests. Currently, the Wyoming DEQclassification of Cottonwood Creek is being reconsidered and may be upgradedfrom its Class IV status. The potential application of whole- effluent toxicityanalyses precipated a reassessment of this produced-water discharge at the Hamilton Dome field. produced-water discharge at the Hamilton Dome field. Oiland gas has been produced from Hamilton Dome field since its discovery in 1918. Primary producing horizons are all part of a classic domed anticlinalstructure. Producing formations include the Madison, Basal Amsden, Tensleep, Phosphoria, and Chugwater. Tensleep, the primary producing formation, comprises Pennsylvanian sandstone and carbonate. Although some waterflooding isundertaken in the field, oil is produced primarily by a strong naturalwaterdrive. While three producers currently operate the field-yielding acombined production of 8,000 BOPD and 185,000 BWPD-this study concerns the oneoperation responsible for more than 50% (105,000 B/D) of the field'sproduced-water discharge. The produced water has a TDS concentration generallyless than 4,500 mg/L (produced waters often range from 10,000 to 150,000 mg/L)and, otherwise, is of similar quality to the famous natural hot springs of Thermopolis, WY, 20 miles to the southeast. In response to the regulatoryinitiatives cited above, an assessment of the NPDES discharge and the Cottonwood Creek drainage in the vicinity of the discharge (Fig. 1) wasinitiated in 1989. This investigation focused on important water-qualityparameters, discharge characteristics, water temperature, analyses from benthicmacroinvertebrate communities, and aquatic toxicology (Table 1).

Effects of sediment and flow regime on the aquatic insects of a high mountain stream

AbstractIn 1984, a broad size range of sediment (boulder to sand) was introduced into a high elevation Rocky Mountain stream in southeastern Wyoming, U.S.A. In the spring of 1986, this stream was exposed to a high discharge of 7.5 m3 s−1. From 1985 to 1987 a study was conducted to assess the impact of sediment deposition and flow regime on the aquatic insect community in context of the substrate occurrences of the insect fauna. Using a modified Surber sampler, samples were collected from June through September each year at nine stations which were rated as unimpacted, slightly‐impacted, and impacted. The addition of the sediment had minimal effect on the abundance and diversity of aquatic insects. However, high water discharge severely reduced the abundance of aquatic insects and diversity was also negatively impacted. Recovery from these impacts was very rapid. The greatest insect abundance was found in samples taken in gravel and most taxa occurred predominantly on gravel or rubble substrates.

Modified Habitat Suitability Index Model for Brown Trout in Southeastern Wyoming

Abstract The habitat suitability index (HSI) model for brown trout Salmo trutta in stream systems, developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, was tested with data from 30 reaches on nine streams in southeastern Wyoming. The HSI was not significantly correlated (P > 0.05) with brown trout standing stock. We analyzed 14 individual suitability index variables from the HSI model plus 25 other habitat variables for their relation to standing stock. Two HSI model variables and seven of the additional variables had significant correlations with brown trout standing stock. When these nine variables were used in multiple regression analysis, the best model (R2 = 0.52) for predicting standing stock (S, kg/hectare) of brown trout included measures of cover and flow regime: S = 1.71MTCR + 114.3 V14 - 0.60; MTCR is a measure of cover availability and V14 is the average annual base flow expressed as a percent of average annual daily flow. An index of fishing pressure was also developed and found to significantly ...

The effect of beaver ponds on the nonpoint source water quality of a stream in Southwestern Wyoming

Currant Creek, a second order stream in southwestern Wyoming, has three large complexes of beaver ponds midway along its 32 km length. To determine whether these ponds improve the quality of water flowing through them, during spring and summer of 1984 and 1985 water samples were taken upstream from, within, and downstream from the pond complexes. During periods of high flow (i.e. spring runoff), concentrations of suspended solids (SS), total phosphorus (TP), sodium hydroxide-extractable phosphorus (NaOH-P, an index of biologically available P) and total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) were reduced in water flowing through the beaver ponds. During low flow, beaver ponds had less effect on these parameters. Concentrations of nitrate nitrogen (NO 3-N) were reduced during both high and low flows, while concentrations of ortho-phosphate ( ortho-P) did not appear to be affected by beaver ponds. Ammonia nitrogen almost always was at the limit of detection. Regression of NaOH-P versus [SS plus ortho-P] suggested that the primary source of NaOH-P was SS. In general, SS explained a large portion of the variation in TP, TKN, and NaOH-P, and often ortho-P was significantly correlated to TP. The increase in the concentration of most parameters below the area with dam complexes appears to reflect input from bank and channel erosion, and export of SS, TP, TKN and NO 3-N from beaver dam complexes was calculated to be less than that from stream sections above or below the dams. Thus the location of dams should be considered before using them to try and improve water quality. The apparent importance of bank and channel erosion as the primary source of nutrients to Currant Creek contrasts with many watersheds in agricultural areas.

Winter Stream Conditions and Use of Habitat by Brook Trout in High-Elevation Wyoming Streams

Abstract Winter stream conditions at elevations between 2,280 and 3,205 m above mean sea level and the use of winter habitat by adult brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis above 2,990 m were evaluated in 1983–1984 and 1984–1985. Little surface ice was observed at elevations above 2,900 m, which was associated with high snow accumulation; moderate surface ice and anchor ice formation were observed at elevations from 2,550 to 2,900 m; extensive surface ice formation occurred at 2,550 m. Little snow accumulated at 2,550 m and surface ice physically excluded substantial brook trout habitat. In late fall, brook trout at elevations above 2,990 m tended to move into low-gradient areas where they remained active throughout the winter. During winter, brook trout appeared to select for areas with maximum velocities of 15 cm/s or less, measured during summer low flow, and for deeper water, but not for substrate type.

Contribution of Riparian Vegetation to Trout Cover in Small Streams

Abstract Cover is an important trout habitat component resulting from the geomorphologic characteristics of a stream channel, the stream-bank interface with the riparian community, and the stream flow. By means of regression analysis, this study quantitatively describes the relative importance of three cover parameters (overhead bank cover, rubble-boulder-aquatic vegetation areas, and deepwater areas) and two cover models as indicators of trout standing stock in eight small streams in southeast Wyoming. Results indicated that overhead bank cover, provided primarily by riparian vegetation, is the cover parameter that explains the greatest amount of variation in trout population size.

Synorogenic Sedimentation of Upper Cretaceous Frontier Formation Conglomerates and Associated Strata, Wyoming-Idaho-Utah Thrust Belt

The Dry Hollow Member of the Upper Cretaceous (Turonian) Frontier Formation in the Wyoming-Idaho-Utah thrust belt is comprised predominantly of fluvial deposits. In northeastern Utah, these strata include massive cobble conglomerates, horizontally-stratified very coarse sandstones, planar cross-stratified pebbly sandstones, and rare siltstones. Farther eastward in southwestern Wyoming, the Dry Hollow Member contains sandstone lenses which possess basal conglomeratic (pebble) lenses and fine upward to medium-grained, trough cross­ stratified sandstones interbedded shales, coals, and thin, fine-grained, ripple-drift cross-laminated sandstones account for much of the Dry Hollow Member. Regional variations in stratification styles, grain size, and geometry of the sandstone units are interpreted as a consequence of downslope variations in channel pattern. These variations represent a change from near-source braided streams in northeastern Utah to distal meandering streams in southwestern Wyoming.

A Review of Sodium Cyanide for Use in Sampling Stream Fishes

Abstract Sodium cyanide was used to sample several streams in Wyoming and Utah representing a range of water quality conditions: alkalinity, 12-1,540 ppm; pH, 7.3-8.4; water temperature, 45-70 F, and flows of 2-300 cfs. The material was used to collect fish (through anesthesia) for length-weight analysis, stock estimates, and to remove fish completely from study sections. Sodium cyanide (NaCN) was effective in sampling streams which had proven difficult to sample by more conventional electrofishing techniques. Laboratory tests using cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki) showed that all test fish recovered from exposure to 1 ppm CN for 10, 15, and 20 minutes. During 6 months of observation, they continued to eat and gain weight as would be expected for unexposed fish of the same species and age.

Measurement and computation of bed‐material discharge in a shallow sand‐bed stream, Muddy Creek, Wyoming

Both the measurement and computation of the bed‐material discharge of a stream involve large uncertainties because of the difficulties in determining bedload discharge. Measurements of bedload discharge are rare and frequently of unknown accuracy because no bedload sampler has been extensively tested and calibrated over a wide range of hydraulic conditions. Bed‐material discharge equations have been derived primarily from laboratory flume data where the effects of channel pattern, alluvial banks, sediment availability, sediment sorting, and unsteady flow upon the sediment discharge of a natural stream have not been simulated. Bed‐material discharge equations generally are applicable only within the range of flow conditions and sediment sizes for which the equations were derived. To compare the relative value of measuring versus computing bed‐material discharges, the bed‐material discharge of Muddy Creek, a shallow sand‐bed stream in southwestern Wyoming, was determined on 35 occasions for water discharges ranging from 0.15 to 1.57 m3/s by separately sampling the suspended‐ and bedload‐sediment discharges. Measured bed‐material discharges were statistically indistinguishable, at an 0.02 level of significance, from flume data collected under the same flow conditions. This agreement indicates that the measured bed‐material discharges are reasonable estimates of the true values. Bed‐material discharges computed by Engelund‐Hansen, Yang, Shen‐Hung, and Ackers‐White equations were compared with the measured values and found to be in good agreement. These equations predicted bed‐material discharges of between 0.5 to 2 times the observed rates 60% to 79% of the time.