Upper Bear River Fish Passage for Native Bear River Cutthroat

Quick Facts:

Project Status	Active
Location	WY/UT, Uinta/Rich
NFPP Project Funding	$1,390,000
Restoration Techniques	Dam Removal
Accomplishments	10 Stream Miles Reopened
Project Partner Lead	Trout Unlimited
Primary Species Benefited	Bear River Cutthroat

About the Project:

The Upper Bear River straddles the border between Wyoming and Utah and has been a long-term refuge for native Bear River Cutthroat, which are unique to the watershed. However, the area is also one of the oldest agricultural districts in Wyoming and Utah and impacts from water usage over the last half century have greatly impacted the ability of native fishes to migrate and utilize the full extent of the Bear River as a climatic refuge. This project is implementing four diversions to re-open 44.7 miles of critical habitat as part of a decades long effort to improve aquatic connectivity. The Old Evanston Dam will have the river re-channeled around it, Sims Creek Slough Diversion will be replaced with a rocky ramp/vane installation, Hilliard Canal project needs funding to modify existing rocky vanes for fish passage and install 2,000 feet of pipe, and the North Eden Creek project also replaces a diversion with a rocky ramp/vane. The Bear River is located in a rural portion of Wyoming. In addition to benefiting fish and aquatic wildlife, this project will pro-vide jobs and recreational opportunities that can stimulate the economy.

green tinted water rushing over a dam — Evanston Dam before the implementation of a fish ladder.

gravel bank with a dam upriver where fish ladder has been implemened — Old City Evanston Dam with a fish ladder to benefit Bear River cutthroat.

The National Fish Passage Program combines technical expertise with a track record of success.

Implemented primarily through the Service's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices, the National Fish Passage Program provides financial and technical assistance to partners across the country. Since 1999, the program has worked with over 2,000 local communities, Tribes, and private landowners to remove or bypass over 3,400 barriers to fish passage and reopen access to over 61,000 miles of upstream habitat for fish and other animals. Staff have expertise in fish migration and biology as well as financial, engineering, and planning assistance to communities, Tribes, and landowners to help them remove barriers and restore rivers for the benefit both fish and people.

Fish passage project proposals can be initiated by any individual, organization, government, or agency. However, proposals must be submitted and completed in cooperation with a Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office. (Please note that fish passage projects being used for federal or state compensatory mitigation or required by existing federal or state regulatory programs are not eligible for funding through the National Fish Passage Program.)

CONTACT A FISH PASSAGE COORDINATOR IN YOUR AREA TO GET STARTED.

Species

Programs

A person is walks through a large wide culvert that passes under a gravel road. A small river runs through the culvert.

National Fish Passage Program

The Fish Passage Program works with local communities on a voluntary basis to restore rivers and conserve our nation’s aquatic resources by removing or bypassing barriers. Our projects benefit both fish and people.

Program

Juvenile Northern Pike in aquarium at Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery, South Dakota

Fish and Aquatic Conservation

The Fish and Aquatic Conservation program leads aquatic conservation efforts for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We are committed to tackling the nation’s highest priority aquatic conservation and recreational challenges to conserve, restore, and enhance fisheries for future generations.

Program