Prevention is key to avoiding serious and costly problems threatening the health of the river. It can be nearly impossible to reverse certain infestations, such as Zebra Mussels, which is why prevention remains the primary contribution each individual can make to protect the river.

Much like “catch and release” fishing, which has been adopted by anglers, we need to include clean angling as part of our angling experience.

At the end of your fishing day:

1. Rinse all mud and debris from your boots, equipment and wading gear. Dry all items thoroughly.
2. Consider using non-felt soled boots.
3. Rinse all mud and debris from the outside of you vessel and drain water from boats. Dry your boat and trailer thoroughly.

As you are leaving one area and before entering new waters:

1. Inspect gear, boats and trailers and remove water, plants, animals or mud.
2. Clean all your gear thoroughly.
3. Dry your gear until it is completely dry (1-7 days dependent on temperature).
4. Never transport any water, plants or fish from place to place.

Land Use Planning:

• Fremont County Zoning Map and Development Code updates. (www.fremont.co.id.us)
• Collaborate with Caribou-Targhee National Forest and other partners in the Upper Henry's Fork Conservation Challenge
• Collaborate with Teton Regional Land Trust and other partners in the Fall River Corridor Protection Project and the Island Park-Shotgun Valley Protection Project (www.tetonlandtrust.org)
• Review and comment where appropriate on various development plans and resource management plans in Fremont County and nearby areas 

Introduced species often damage the river ecosystem by negatively affecting agriculture and other human uses of natural resources, or have a negative impact on the health of animals and humans.

Some examples of introduced species causing concern in the Henry’s Fork area include Aquatic Aliens, Water Milfoil and Whirling Disease.

Click here to learn more about these harmful species.

A small group of local residents and summer home owners organized the Henry's Fork Foundation (HFF) in 1984 in response to hydroelectric plans and a precipitous decline in river productivity. Its first step was to begin a comprehensive program of fencing cattle away from fragile streambanks.

Ultimately, HFF installed 21 miles of solar-powered riparian fence costing more than $100,000. The group's successful opposition to hydroelectric projects led to a congressional ban of new hydroelectric dams or diversions on 91 miles of the Henry's Fork and Warm River, down to Ashton. The Foundation also made sure numerous amendments to protect the environment were added to the license of the Island Park Hydroelectric Project at Island Park Dam.

In the summer of 1992, sediment incidents plagued the watershed. In June, more than 17,000 tons of material entered Fall River due to a construction accident at the Marysville Hydroproject. Then in September, an estimated 50,000 to 100,000 tons entered the Henry's Fork below Island Park Dam during the reservoir's lowest- ever drawdown.

These events demanded that more attention be paid to agency coordination within the entire watershed, precipitating the creation of the Henry's Fork Watershed Initiative, focused on sponsoring applied research to collect needed data on the basin's aquatic resources, integrating the data with existing knowledge to build a scientific understanding of the river system and its fundamental ecology, and cooperatively implementing a stewardship program that uses improved management policies based on results of scientific studies and monitoring. A major part of the stewardship objective is building trust among varied interests and enhancing public understanding of the watershed.