Programs and Impacts -- 2022
Updated: Feb 14
We continue to try to share as much information as possible in as many ways as possible, to try to reach everyone who might be interested. This includes our Annual Reports, Newsletters, e-newsletters, emails and social media, etc.(but find a full list of resources below). Blogs like this one are another way we can try to concisely share updates on the work we do and our impacts (i.e., our annual "Top 10 Accomplishments" blog).
We've been asked a few times recently about the types of programs happening this year and what impact they might be having on the fishery, so we'll take this opportunity to share some highlights ahead of the end of the year. For more in-depth information on these projects and programs, check out our quarterly newsletters.
Some of HFF's ongoing long-term projects or programs*:
*NOTE: this is not an exhaustive list
- Water sampling, water quality monitoring, and live data website - Aquatic insect monitoring and working with partners to achieve managed spring freshet flow - Farms & Fish Program
- Precision Water Management (alongside F&F saved an avg of 25,000 ac-ft per year since 2018) - Fish habitat and nutrient PhD research on the Upper Henry’s Fork (Big Springs to Island Park Dam) - Lower Henry’s Fork streamflow-habitat analysis PhD research - Weekly ADCP flow measurements below Island Park Dam - River clean ups (canned corn at Big Springs as needed and set clean up days 2x/year) - Scientific data collection on river use - Conant Creek Canal project (saves water in Fall River, Henry’s Fork & Island Park Reservoir) - Economic Value Study data analysis complete
- Youth Education: Trout in the Classroom, Youth on the Fly and local school field trips - Fish ladder monitoring and maintenance - Participation in Henry’s Fork Watershed Council and Drought Management Planning Committee - Riparian fence monitoring and maintenance - River access and other Voice of the River work
For folks who want more information, our Annual Reports are a great resource: https://www.henrysfork.org/annual-reports
What's the impact for fisheries?
Water conservation -- via programs like Farms and Fish, Precision Water Management and the lower Henry's Fork PhD research -- have increased winter outflow from Island Park Dam by an average of 115 cfs since we began our efforts in 2018. This increased the number of two-year old fish entering the Box Canyon population by 775 (16%) in 2019, 855 (23%) in 2020, 310 (8%) in 2021, and 380 (13%) in 2022. Tracking these cohorts of fish through time, water conservation has increased the total population by 7% in 2019, 14% in 2020, 11% in 2021, and 21% in 2022. Even at the current level of water savings, the long-term average contribution to the population is 980 fish, which will increase the population by an average of 15% relative to pre-2018 levels.
List of resources:
LIVE Water Quality Data: Current water temperatures, turbidity data and more at henrysfork.org/river-conditions.
Social Media: Most of the information we share can also be found on Facebook or Instagram.
Current Conditions Posters: During the summer months, water and river conditions are posted at Island Park access sites weekly (lower river sites coming soon). Also find them at local fly shops + social media.
Daily Water Report: If you would like to receive Rob’s daily water reports, email rob@henrysfork.org to be added to the email list.
Weekly River Update: If you would like to receive a weekly river update, email jamie@henrysfork.org to be added to the email list.
Reports and Publications Library: HFF's past technical reports and published papers on subjects like hydrology and water management, aquatic ecology and water quality, fisheries biology and management, and social science and economics can be found henrysfork.org/reports-publications.
The HFF Blog: More in depth-dives on various river-related topics can be found at henrysfork.org/blog.
HFF Newsletters: Members also receive a monthly and quarterly newsletter with all the big picture highlights. Become a member or view past newsletters at henrysfork.org/hff-newsletters.
And don't forget about Maps, History and Legends, Events and Raffles, and Annual Reports and Financials.