June 14, 2002
John Redding
(208) 378-5212
Jerrold Gregg
(208) 334-1460

Reclamation Study Will Examine Ecology of the Snake River

The Bureau of Reclamation is conducting a three-phase study aimed at acquiring a better understanding of the ecology of the South Fork of the Snake River. As a part of this study, field work involving high-tech aerial imagery will be conducted from June 17-22, 2002, and again in 2003.

The Flathead Lake Biological Station, University of Montana will conduct field work involving aerial and river surveys from Palisades Dam to the confluence of the Snake and Henry’s Fork Rivers.

"The field work is part of a 3-phase study to better understand the ecology of the Snake River, more specifically the reach known as the South Fork of the Snake River," said Jerrold Gregg, Reclamation Snake River Area Office manager.

Some of the primary partners in this study include the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Trout Unlimited, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Snake River Cutthroats.

"Credible information gained through this study will help Reclamation protect the renowned fishery of the South Fork," Gregg said. "It is important to note that there will be no river or reservoir operational changes to accommodate this field work."

The field biologists will use remote sensing imagery that captures detailed pictures of the project research area. The color-sensitive imagery will be gathered at three different times in order to capture spring, summer, and winter flow conditions.

The Biologically Based System Management Project will have images that relay information about flows, vegetation, backwater areas and other data which can be used to better understand aquatic resources in the South Fork of the Snake River.

"With this information, Reclamation will be able to determine the amount of flow variation that the system can tolerate while continuing to sustain aquatic health," said Gregg.