WWRC 95-02
Development and Evaluation of Flushing Flow Recommendations for the Bighorn River
Abstract
The Big Horn River near Thermopolis, Wyoming is rated as a Class I fishery
from Wedding of the Waters to Kirby Creek. The Wyoming Game and Fish
Department and the Bureau of Reclamation are concerned about the flow regime in this
stretch of river as controlled by the operation of Boysen Reservoir. The goal of this
study was to assess the need for flushing flows to enhance the natural recruitment of
rainbow trout and brown trout in the Bighorn River. I have assessed the effects of a
March 1994 flushing flow on substrate and spawning habitat in the Bighorn River. Data
from this test flushing flow provided insight about the magnitude, duration, and timing of
flushing flow regimes needed to scour pools, clean spawning gravel, maintain side
channels, and remove fine sediment from the reach of the Bighorn River managed as a
"blue ribbon" trout fishery.
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