Bibliography Background About KRIS
Yager Creek Watershed CDFG Field Notes
Summarized by Susie Van Kirk
Stream Surveys, Carcass Surveys, and Work Plans, from the California Department of Fish and Game files, Eureka office, September 1996.
Blanton Creek
Stream Survey (3 Dec. 1980) 1.5 miles surveyed; log jams noted; shade canopy averaged 90% from redwood and other conifers; pool to riffle ratio 1:3.
Stream Survey (7 and 15 April 1982) .7 mile surveyed; log jams, barriers, slide areas noted; shade canopy averaged 70%, consisting mostly of alder, tanoak and redwood; photos of trees/logs in stream, mostly fresh.
CCC Stream Enhancement Work Plan (surveyed l Aug. 1985) .9 miles surveyed and 7 projects identified: gravel retention (2); improve migration access (1); release gravels (3); rechannelization (1); revegetation (1). Stream canopy averages 85% and is composed of alders and redwood. SH/RT fry were estimated at 100/100' up to 1770'; few fish were observed beyond this point.
Field Note (1 Aug. 1985) Below the boulder reach section, RT/SH (1 1/2-2" long) were abundant throughout the survey [1 mile from mouth to boulder cascade barrier]. Fish were over-abundant and stressed in the upper reach where water was confined to small pools...All but 2000 ft. of Blanton Creek was dry during the time of the survey indicating that it is primarily a spawning stream, with some rearing capability.
CCC Stream Enhancement Work Plan (surveyed ll Aug. 1986) surveyed up to 3150'; 9 projects: bank protection, gravel retention, scour pool, bank erosion control, modification LDA; stream section from ll50' to 3000' was characterized by subterranean flows, limiting summer rearing habitat.
Field Note (10 Dec. 1987) From bridge 200 ft. above mouth to CCC site 9, l480 ft., 5 adult chinook observed below logs and debris accumulation, 70' above CCC site #6. The LDA appears to be a barrier to chinook salmon (steelhead were observed above this point in the winter of 1986).
Field Note (4 Jan. 1988) 1420 ft. surveyed; 2 chinook carcasses; over 5 redds; water temp 48 degrees F.; barrier described 10 Dec. 1987 still holding back salmon, needs modification to allow passage. Habitat conditions upstream warrant the modification in order to access unused spawning and rearing areas above.
CCC Work Plan (surveyed 5 Feb. 1988) Identified 9 projects to improve fish passage, stablize banks, maintain existing projects and create new habitat. Broad alluvial fan at mouth blocking access at low flows. Blanton Creek is an active spawning stream for king salmon and steelhead. No live fish were noted during this survey, but king salmon were observed spawning during carcass survey.
Field Notes (7 Dec. 1988) 1500 ft. surveyed; no fish, no redds; water temp. 52 degrees F.; air 52 degrees F.
Field Notes (18 Jan. 1989) 1500 ft. surveyed; no fish or redds; water temp 44 degrees F.; air 42 degrees F.
Carcass Field Note (22 Jan. 1990) .5 mile surveyed; water temp 42 degrees F.; no live fish, carcasses, or skeletons.
Field Note (8 Jan. 1992) .5 mile surveyed; 1 live chinook; 1 redd; water temp 42 degrees F.; air 48 degrees F.
Field Note (16 Dec. 1992) .25 mile surveyed; no live fish or redds; water temp 45 degrees F.; air 48 degrees F.
Field Note (21 Dec. 1992) .5 mile surveyed; no live fish or carcasses; 1 redd; water temp 44 degrees F.; air 46 degrees F.
Field Note (27 Jan. 1993) .5 mile surveyed; no live fish or carcasses; 2 redds; water temp 44 degrees F.; air 46 degrees F.
Field Note (5 Dec. 1994) 1370 ft. surveyed; no live fish, carcasses or redds; water temp 45 degrees F.; air 49 degrees F.
Field Note (15 Feb. 1996) 1370 ft. surveyed; no live fish or carcasses; 10 redds; water temp 52 degrees F.; air 58 degrees F.
Restoration Work Plan (surveyed April and May 1996) 13 projects-- 6 cover/scour; 1 bank protection; 1 pool development; 3 pool enhancement; 1 cover and repair; 1 cover and bank protection.
Booths Run
Stream Survey (11 Aug. 1980) surveyed 1.5 mile; log jams; 5300' above mouth "road cut across stream, active slides on both sides;" shade canopy 70% consisting of redwood, Doug fir, alder; pool to riffle ratio 1:3; 80% canopy in upper reach; pool to riffle ratio 1:2; "salmonid fry were abundant throughout the entire survey as well as excellent spawning and rearing habitat."
Booth Run Restoration Work Plan (2 Nov. 1995) 25 projects: 13 pool development/enhancement; 12 cover/scour.
Cooper Mill Creek
Survey (12 June 1961) Fisheries: "The stream contained many salmonid fry up to log jam #17 and silver fry was the only salmonid identified. The abundance of salmonid fry would tend to indicate that Cooper Mill Creek could be an important contributor to the Yager Creek fishery. Lamprey larva and salamanders were also observed." 26 recorded log jams comprising 263,900 cubic feet and consisting of redwood logs, slash and debris.
Field Note (9 Dec. 1964) surveyed 1/3 mile above Yager Camp; carcasses--3 spent female king salmon over 23 7/8 inches; 1 spent female king salmon under 23 7/8 inches; 1 male silver salmon under 23 7/8 inches. 1 king salmon skeleton; 7 live king salmon; 6 live fish unidentified.
Field Note (27 Sept. 1976) Pacific Lumber Co. has constructed two earthen steelhead rearing ponds at the old Yager Camp and plans on raising steelhead to release into Cooper Mill Creek, thence Yager Creek. They plan to start in the spring of 1977. The fish (fry) will be obtained from the Mad River Hatchery. The plan is to take 90% of the water from Cooper Mill Creek for the ponds. Counting only a small percent of the fish shocked in a single pass of 200 feet of stream below the planned diversion an estimated population of 100 fish/100 feet of stream was arrived at. Approximately one-quarter mile of Cooper Mill Creek will be 90% dewatered by this diversion. A sample of the fish shocked and measured: 39 rainbow trout/steelhead 1.7" to 5.9"; mean 2.8". Water temperature 58 degrees F; flow .5 cfs.
Field Note (16 Jan. 1979) Don LaFaunce surveyor, from mouth to 1/3 mile above P.L. dam, approx. 3/4 mile. A total of 41 redds, 21 live and 3 dead king salmon were counted. There were 21 redds, 14 live and 1 dead KS above the main road, and 20 redds, 7 live and 2 dead KS between the main and private road 250 yds downstream. No redds or fish were seen below the private road.
One small female and a male grilse were seen above the P.L. diversion dam. They had negotiated what would appear to have been an impassable log jam.
All of the available spawning habitat below the dam was used. The dam appears to be an effective barrier to king salmon. Except for the above mentioned jam, there was good habitat above the dam, to the limit of the survey. The 200 yd. area between the private road the mouth contains no spawning habitat--only rock and rubble on the bottom. Some habitat improvement to catch and hold gravel might be in order in the lower 200 yards. P.L. personnel reported the fish first appeared Jan. 9 or 10 and were more abundant than in several years.
Stream Survey (27 June 1980) from mouth 2.4 miles upstream. Numerous log jams noted; shade canopy averaged 80% consisting mainly of hardwood and redwood; pool to riffle ratio averaged 1:3; numerous salmonid fry were observed until obstruction #16, above this point suitable habitat diminished and the log jams encountered proved to be effective barriers. Cooper Mill Creek should receive high priority for stream rehabilitation throught the entire area surveyed. The abundant number of salmonid fry observed support this recommendation. Although the obstructions below #16 do not prove to be complete barriers to anadromous fish migration their removal would allow the release of valuable spawning gravel held back by these obstructions.
Letter from Jim Froland, CDFG (8 July 1980) re: 1603 agreement, 30 June 1980, for construction of adult salmon trapping weir on Cooper Mill. PL. to attempt rearing king salmon fry for release into this stream as a supplement to the native run. Froland's concern was that PL was going to take first 10 pairs, when the average run was estimated at 80 fish; assuming worst case, some years may be less than 10. "That could result in the trapping and subsequent hatchery rearing of the entire run of native fish...this small stream...is presently supporting a native run of king salmon that is large enough to fill the available spawning habitat."
Field Note (7 Jan. 1988) surveyed from mouth to 1000' above the water intake for the rearing ponds; 7 non-fresh chinook and 41 fresh chinook carcasses were observed; no live fish; 3 carcasses above the water diversion dam; 21 between the rearing pond and the dam; 21 from the mouth to the rearing pond; water temp 46 degrees F.
Field Notes (7 Dec. 1988) surveyed from mouth .5 mile to diversion dam for ponds; 14 live chinook; 2 skeletons, 14+ redds; 10 male and 9 female chinook carcasses; water temp 47 degrees F.; air 60 degrees F.
Field Notes (3 Jan. 1989) surveyed from diversion dam down to mouth .5 miles; no fish.
Field Notes (18 Jan. 1989) surveyed from diversion dam downstream to mouth .5 mile; no fish; water temp 46 degrees F.; air 46 degrees F.
CDFG Stocking Record (PALCO's hatchery on Yager Creek)
April 1978, SH 1,859
March 1981, SH 30,000
Feb. 1982, SH 6,560
June 1982, KS, Y-81 2,636
June 1985, KS, Y-84 6,688
Aug. 1985, SH 5,115
June 1986, KS, Y-85 7,310
June 1986, KS, Y-86 46,750
June 1989, KS, Y-88 19,992
CDFG Record of fish and eggs taken by PL, season 1988-89
remarks: 1 coho female release; 1 coho male released
trapped: 8 males; 11 females and 62 G (grisle?)
Carcass Survey (22 Jan. 1990) surveyed from mouth 1 mile upstream; no fish; possible barrier upstream of water diversion approximately 1/4 mile; large amounts of silt in channel; water temp 44 degrees F. air 58 degrees F.
Stream Inventory Report (survey fall 1990)
Carcass surveys by CDFG 1988-1990
# surveys live carcass marked redds coho SH/RT
1987-88 1 0 41 0 20 0 0
1988-89 3 14 21 0 14 0 0
1989-90 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
1990-91 0
1991-92 0
1992-93 4 37 6 0 34 0 8
No carcasses with adipose fin clips or CWT have been found on Cooper Mill Creek. Low flows of 89-92 made creek inaccessible to most chinook salmon. Fishway built at mouth 1990 to promote passage at wider range of flows. Jan. 1991, 3 chinook found in creek. A great deal of bank stabilization and barrier modification work has been done during past 5 years.
Stream Enhancement/Restoration Work Plan (surveyed 14 May 1991) Projects proposed: 3 pool development; 6 bank protection; 11 LDA modification; 14 cover\scour.
Field Note (3 March 1992) surveyed upstream 9000'; no live fish; 8 redds.
Fish Pathologist Report (14 Oct. 1992) Yager Creek hatchery, KS and SH fingerlings infected, 90% loss, treatment recommended.
Field Note (16 Dec. 1992) surveyed .5 mile; 6 live chinook; 1 male chinook carcass (100 cm.) 1 redd below PALCO ladder; water temp 44 degrees F.; air 47 degrees F.
Field Note (19 Jan. 1993) surveyed .5 mile; 13 live chinook; 3 unknown live fish; 11 redds,; water temp 48 degrees F.; air 50 degrees F.
Field Note (19 Jan. 1993) surveyed above diversion dam for 1.5 miles; 10 live SH; 2 unknown; 6 redds; water temp 47 degrees F.; air 49 degrees F.
Field Note (27 Jan. 1993) surveyed from hatchery weir up to old RR bridge 1000'; 5 live chinook; 1 unknown; 1 male chinook skeleton; 1 redd; water temp 46 degrees F.; air 47 degrees F.
Field Note (29 Jan. 1993) surveyed upstream .5 mile to diversion dam; 13 live chinook, 5 live SH; 4 male chinook carcasses (92-100 cm.; 1 chinook skeleton; 15 redds; water temp 46 degrees F.; air 54 degrees F.
Field Note (28 Nov. 1994) surveyed 5580'; no fish; water temp 44 degrees F.; air 43 degrees F.
Restoration Work Plan (25 Jan. 1995) 14 projects: 4 fish passage; 8 bank stabilization; 2 cover/scour.
Corner Creek
Field Note (25 April 1988) mouth 95% canopy of deciduous trees;
1250' canopy cover 50% alders and willows; 1580' 95% canopy; 2 YOY (1 chinook; 1 coho) 1+ steelhead.
Stream Restoration Work Plan (surveyed 18 Nov. 1992) fish passage and bank protection projects.
Field Note (21 Dec. 1992) surveyed .25 miles upstream; no fish; water temp 45 degrees F.; air 48 degrees F.
Fish Creek
Stream Survey (7 May 1982) at mouth canopy 60% consisting of tanoak, bay, willow, alder, maple and conifers; from mouth to PL's access road the average stream channel is 12' wide with wetted channel of 5'; pool to riffle ratio 1:5; average pool depth 8" up to 1'; many salmonid fingerlings, ranging from 1" to 4" in length, were seen from the mouth up to obstruction #3; at bridge canopy was 90%; channel 6' wide with 6' wetted channel; pool to riffle ratio 2:5 with average depth up to 3' caused by submerged logs and undercut banks. "Aquatic insects averaged 1-2 per square foot...salamanders were observed along the entire stream. This stream has excellent gravel beds for spawning steelhead and silver salmon along with excellent rearing habitat."
Field Note (8 Jan. 1992) surveyed mouth to .5 mile; no fish; water temp. 43 degrees F.; air 45 degrees F.
Stream Restoration Work Plan (surveyed 12 and 13 Nov. 1992) fish passage and some bank protection projects.
Field Note (18 Dec. 1992) surveyed mouth to 3600'; 2 live chinook; 1 redd.
Field Note (27 Jan. 1993) surveyed mouth to 3290'; 2 live chinook; 1 unknown; 2 redds; water temp 46 degrees F.; air 48 degrees F.
Field Note (13 Jan. 1994) surveyed mouth to .7 mile; no fish; 4 redds; water temp 48 degrees F.; air 56 degrees F.
Restoration Work Plan (surveyed 25 May 1994) fish passage projects.
Field Note (22 Dec. 1995) surveyed upstream to first bridge on PALCO's main haul road 600'; 1 live adult male chinook; 1 male jack carcass.
Field Note (8 Jan. 1996) surveyed 5355'; no fish; water temp 52 degrees F.; air 62 degrees F.; downcutting in Lawrence Creek at the mouth of Fish Creek has resulted in an approximate 3' jump at the lowermost step in the Fish Creek fish ladder.
Field Note (15 Feb. 1996) surveyed from mouth 2950'; 1 unidenti- fied skeleton; water temp 49 degrees F.; air 65 degrees F.
Lawrence Creek
Stream Survey (no date but possibly 1930s) "Good winter spawning stream and probably natural reproduction will keep stream stocked to summer capacity. All fish caught are 1st year S.H."
Stream Survey (8 Aug. 1938) Surveyors Vestal and Shapovalov. Pools good; shelter good; SH 1 1/2-5" with abundance listed as "common"; moderate fishing intensity; food abundant; gravel bottom; good spawning area; water temp. 58; air 68 degrees F.
Survey (31 May 1952) Water temp. 55 degrees F., flow 4 cfs. Surveyors fished area from Lawrence Lbr. Co. sawmill to forks of creek; many log jams noted; present logging operations are taking place at forks of creek above Kneeland to Bridgeville crossing; creek does not get a run of SH or salmon according to residents of area. One angler in 3 hours took 6 small RT; one angler in 3 hours took 33 RT ranging from 3.4 to 7.1 inches. Catches made on salmon eggs. Fishing good among log jams. Two ripe males, 4.7 and 5.1 inches, milt extruded when pressure applied to abdomen. New eggs beginning to form in ovaries of 5-7 inch females.
(9 June 1952) Two anglers catch in 2 1/2 hours from sawmill above county road crossing upstream 1/4 mile to forks of creek: 40 fish, 3.7-7.1 inches, average 5 inches.
Survey (26 Aug. 1964) surveyed from mouth to 6 miles upstream. There are excellent spawning areas throughout Lawrence Creek with the gravel size ranging from 1/2 to 3 inches in diameter in the riffle areas. There is very little silt or algae covering the gravel. Undercut banks shaded pools and some large boulders provide good shelter for juvenile fish...Numerous trout in the 2-8 inch total length class were caught and a holdover steelhead was observed. Seining produced large numbers of fingerling salmonids throughout the stream." Pools averaged 24-36" depth.
Survey (3 Dec. 1969) one-fourth mile downstream from Bell Creek; water temp 42 degrees F.; 3 cfs; steelhead 1 1/2-2 1/2 inches were common. There were a few fish about 5 inches long. Two miles downstream from Bell, SH in 2 size ranges 1 1/4-2 1/4 inches and 4-6 inches were very abundant. The fish were in excellent condition. The only species observed were young steelhead. The stream could be good habitat for silver salmon.
Field Note (2 and 3 Dec. 1969) electrofishing at road crossing on Mullen Ranch; water temp 45 degrees F.; flow 2-3 cfs; 3 size groups of steelhead: 2-2 1/2", 4" and 7". Fish were abundant and in excellent condition.
Field Note (17 July 1972) surveyed mouth to 7 1/2 miles. "Silver salmon and steelhead fingerlings were observed throughout the stream." Average water temp 67 degrees F.
Surveys. PALCO Road 4 to Road 6, 3 miles
(4 Dec. 1985) 4 live kings; 1 male king carcass; 1 female king carcass; 1 redd.
(12 Dec. 1985) 32 live kings; 1 female king carcass; 14 redds.
(20 Dec. 1985) 81 kings; 5 male king carcasses; 4 female king carcasses; 1 unknown carcass; 54 redds.
(8 Jan. 1986) 3 live kings; 7 male king carcasses; 2 female king carcasses; 3 unknowns; 10 redds. water 48, air 53 degrees F.
Survey (7 Jan. 1988) surveyed from mouth to Fish Creek, 4.5 miles; 12 live chinook; 20 skeletons; 15 male chinook carcasses (47-110 cm.) and 18 female chinook carcasses (68-99 cm.) (1 male carcass had right pectoral fin clipped); 20+ redds; 1 male coho carcass (52 cm.). Fish and Corner creeks surveyed for 1000'; no fish or redds. The mouths of Fish and Corner had 5' and 3.5' jumps respectively; water temp 43 degrees F.
(26 Jan. 1988) surveyed 2 miles upstream of Fish Creek; 2 skeleltons; water temp 44 degrees F. The long and continuous nature of the boulder roughs section creating chutes and some sections, lack of jump pools and the steep gradients may be the significant factors limiting the migration of spawning salmon in this section.
Field Note (7 Dec. 1988) surveyed from Fish Creek 4.5 miles to mouth; 8 male chinook carcasses; 11 female carcasses; 155 live chinook [?]; over 60 redds; water temp 45, air 49.
Field Notes (15 Dec. 1988) surveyed from Fish Creek down 3 miles; 32 chinook carcasses; 11 skeletons; 27 live chinook; 40 redds; water temp 40 degrees F., air 36 degrees F.; 1 CWT fish, tag
101015.
Field Note (16 Dec. 1988) surveyed from log landing to mouth, 1.5 miles; 2 live chinook; 8 chinook carcasses; 1 skeleton; 6 redds; water 38, air 32 degrees F.
Field Notes (10 Jan. 1989) surveyed from Fish Creek downstream 4.5 miles to mouth; no fish; water temp 42 degrees F., air 40.
Stream Enhancement Proposal (13 April 1989) Anadromous adult fish noted in the channel during the carcass surveys on Lawrence were chinook and coho. Steelhead and coho young of the year were noted during summer months. Numerous chinook salmon YOY were noted at the margins of the channel; water temp at 2 p.m. 59 degrees F.
Field Note (20 Jan. 1989) surveyed from Fish Creek to mouth, 4.5 miles; no fish or redds; water 42, air 40 degrees F.
Field Note (21 Jan. 1990) surveyed from mouth 4.5 miles upstream; 3 live chinook (1 male 110 cm., 1 jack 45 cm.); 2 chinook skeletons; 6 redds; water temp 43 degrees F.
Carcass Survey (21 Dec. 1990) surveyed 4.5 miles from mouth to Fish Creek; 2 redds; water temp 34 degrees F.; air 36 degrees F.
Carcass Survey (2 Jan. 1991) spot check; 1 female chinook (70 cm.) at slide stabilization project completed fall 1990.
Field Note (9 Jan. 1991) surveyed 4.5 miles from mouth upstream; 2 unknown skeletons; 1 female coho, head only; water temp 38 degrees F.; air 45 degrees F.
Carcass Survey (28 Jan. 1991) surveyed 500' beginning at slide area; 1 SH skeleton; one redd in slide area with boulder riprap; water temp 42 degrees F.; air 39 degrees F.
Carcass Survey (9 Dec. 1991) surveyed 3 miles from Corner Creek to mouth of Lawrence; no fish; 5 redds; water temp 39 degrees F.; air 36 degrees F. No redds found until Road 8 bridge.
Carcass Survey (13-14 Jan. 1992) 4.2 miles, begin 500' above Fish Creek to mouth of Lawrence; 14 live chinook; 2 unknown; 2 female chinook carcasses (79 and 89 cm.); 2 chinook skeletons; 57 redds; water temp 39 degrees F.; air 48 degrees F.; majority of live fish seen in the upper part of this section upstream of Corner Creek.
Carcass Survey (22 Jan. 1992) surveyed 4 miles from Fish Creek to mouth of Lawrence; 15 live chinook; 1 live steelhead; 3 male chinook carcasses (88, 99, 100 cm.); 6 female chinook carcasses (80-100 cm.); 1 SH skeleton; 3 unknown skeletons; 46 redds; water temp 43 degrees F.; air 47 degrees F.
Field Note (30 Jan. 1992) 1 female chinook carcass (85 cm.); 3 unknown live; 4 unknown skeletons; 19 redds; water temp 48 degrees F.; air temp 58 degrees F.
Field Note (24 Dec. 1992) surveyed from Fish Creek to Shaw Creek, 1 mile; 10 live chinook; 1 male chinook carcass (94 cm.); 8 redds; water temp 41 degrees F; air temp 34 degrees F.
Field Note (5 Jan. 1993) surveyed from mouth upstream 13,000 ft.; 7 live chinook; 1 unknown; 8 chinook carcasses; 5 chinook skeletons; 1 steelhead skeleton; 34 redds; water temp 49 degrees F.; air 51 degrees F.
Field Note (3 Feb. 1993) surveyed from Fish Creek downstream 2.5 miles; 15 live chinook; 14 chinook carcasses; 12 chinook skeletons; 28 redds; water temp 45 degrees; air 46 degrees F.
Field Note (20 Dec. 1993) surveyed from Fish Creek downstream 2 miles; 4 live chinook; 1 chinook carcass (74 cm.); 2 unknown skeletons; 8 redds; water 40 degrees F.; air 44 degrees F.
Field Note (20 Dec. 1993) surveyed from mouth upstream 2.5 miles; 2 live chinook; 4 unknown live; 5 unknown skeletons; 14 redds; water 41 degrees; air 42 degrees.
Field Note (27 Dec. 1993) surveyed from Fish Creek downstream 2 miles; 27 live chinook; 6 unknown live fish; 2 chinook carcasses (76 and 111 cm.); 6 unknown skeletons; 57 redds; water 41 degrees F.; air 45 degrees F.
Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration, Lawrence Creek Enhancement Projects #4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Flosi and Downie, CDFG. No date, but project to be completed by 15 Oct. 1994.
"After discussions which began in April 1990, The Pacific Lumber Company (PALCO) and Inland Fisheries Division of the Department of Fish and Game entered into an agreement in 1991 to operate a cooperative program to protect, restore, and enhance salmon and steelhead stream habitat, and anadromous fish populations on PALCO's lands. Actions taken to accomplish these goals include watershed erosion control, streamside vegetation protection, stream barrier modification to ensure access for migrating fish, construction of instream habitats preferred by salmonids, and the operation of a small hatchery to 'jump start' fish populations in under-utilized or recently improved streams.
"The principal objective of Lawrence Creek Enhancement #4,5,6,7 and 8 is to increase the population of native salmon and steelhead trout in Lawrence Creek. The project will improve spawning habitat by constructing instream structures designed to recruit and sort gravel and small cobble, and by stabilizing a failing streambank to reduce sedimentation in the existing spawning areas. The same instream structures will provide additional summer and winter rearing habitat for juvenile salmonids with the creation of 15 pools and the addition of 26 log and/or root wad structures to provide cover." The 1991 survey of Lawrence Creek found that useable spawning gravels on lower Lawrence are limited to relatively few reaches. Crowding and/or superimposition of redds, especially with chinook salmon, have been observed during winter surveys.
"Palco has voluntarily suspended creek run gravel mining operations in Lawrence Creek since 1991. Recently they have agreed to indefinitely suspend creek run gravel mining in Lawrence Creek."
Field Note (18 Jan. 1994) surveyed 2.5 miles from mouth to site 5; 1 live chinook; 1 live unknown; 1 chinook carcass; 4 redds; water 41 degrees F.; air 43 degrees F.
Field Note (18 Jan. 1994) surveyed 2 miles from site 5 upstream to 500 ft. above Fish Creek; 7 live chinook; 3 chinook carcasses (1 jack 40 cm.); 2 unknown skeletons; 39 redds.
Herpetofauna Survey Field Note (2 June 1994) Six index sites and 5 project reaches on Lawrence Creek were surveyed for foothill yellow-legged frogs. All distances refer to the downstream end of the site and are measured from the confluence of Lawrence Creek with Yager Creek. One adult frog and six egg masses were observed at DFG index site 6 (9,718'). One juvenile frog was observed at DFG index site 5 (12,889'). Six egg masses were observed at PALCO project site 4 (13,200'). One adult frog was observed at DFG index site 4 (17,880'). Six egg masses were observed at DFG index site 2, contained within PALCO project site 6 (20,064'). No adult frogs, tadpoles, or egg masses were observed at PALCO project site 8 (13,728'), PALCO project site 5 (19,536'), DFG index site 3 (19,654'), PALCO project site 7 (24,288') or DFG index site 1 (24,870'). Water temp 54 to 61 degrees F.; air 57 to 66 degrees F.
Field Note (9 Dec. 1994) surveyed from mouth 2.5 miles upstream; 3 unknown live fish; 4 redds; water temp 38 degrees F.; air 33 degrees F.
Field Note (22 Dec. 1995) surveyed from mouth to Fish Creek, 4.8 miles; 77 live chinook adults; 7 unknown live adult salmonids; 16 chinook carcasses (8 males, 8 females); no CWT, 1 chinook skeleton; 12 redds; water temp 47; air 49 degrees F.
Field Note (15 Feb. 1996) surveyed 2.4 miles up from mouth; water temp 48 degrees F.; air 42 degrees F.; 1 live steelhead; 1 unknown skeleton; 6 redds.
Field Note (15 Feb. 1996) surveyed from 2.4 miles to 500' above Fish Creek; water temp 50 degrees F.; air 54 degrees F.; no fish; 7 redds.
Shaw Creek
Stream Survey (8 Dec. 1980) surveyed from mouth upstream 1.5 miles; shade canopy 80%, mainly hardwoods and redwood; pool to riffle ratio 1:2.
Field Note (2 Aug. 1985) surveyed 1.6 miles from mouth to forks; log jams noted; RT/SH and coho juveniles were abundant throughout the survey; Shaw Creek has good spawning and rearing habitat for anadromous salmonids and should be managed for such.
Spawning Survey from mouth upstream .5 mile
(12 Dec. 1985) 56 kings; 35 redds.
(20 Dec. 1985) 17 kings; 44 redds.
(8 Jan. 1986) 5 kings; 16 redds; 1 male king carcass.
Stream Enhancement Work Plan (surveyed 7 Aug. 1986) 31 projects identified; Shaw Creek appears to be a productive stream which can be further enhanced by the addition of instream structures and the reduction of the amount of fines entering the creek as proposed in this work plan. Modification of the debris accumulations will make habitats upstream easily accessible to more fish. It was estimated that the debris and gravel accumulations were causing a 70% reduction in numbers of fish upstream of the accumulations.
Stream Survey (3 Dec. 1987) surveyed from mouth to 3,800'; 9 live chinook adults.
Field Note (4 Jan. 1988) surveyed 1 mile upstream from mouth; 4 non-fresh and 1 male fresh chinook carcasses; 3+ redds; 3 live coho; water temp 48 degrees F.
Field Note (15 March 1988) surveyed to .3 mile above mouth; 3 salmon, 2 of which were spawning.
Field Notes (7 Dec. 1988) surveyed 3/4 mile down to Lawrence; 9 live chinook; 5 skeletons; 5 carcasses; 11 redds; water temp 51 degrees F.; air 48 degrees F.
Field Notes (13 Jan. 1989) surveyed from 3340' to mouth; 2 live chinook salmon; temp 44 degrees F.; air 44 degrees F.
Carcass Survey (21 Jan. 1990) surveyed .45 mile; no fish; water temp 42 degrees F.
Field Note (4 March 1992) surveyed 10,000 feet from PALCO's bank stabilization project; 1 live steelhead; 10 redds.
Field Note (16 Dec. 1992) surveyed from mouth to 2 miles; 2 live chinook; 2 live coho; 1 live unknown; 8 redds; water 45; air 46.
Field Note (12 Jan. 1993) surveyed from mouth to 6200'; 16 live chinook; 2 live SH; 5 unknown; 3 unknown skeletons; 22 redds; water 43; air 37.
Field Note (19 Jan. 1993) surveyed 2 miles upstream; 37 live chinook; 1 SH; 2 unknown; 1 male chinook carcass (97 cm); 2 chinook skeletons; 1 SH skeleton; 1 unknown skeleton; 32 redds; water 47; air 49.
Field Note (27 Jan. 1993) surveyed from mouth to 7,100'; 12 live chinook; 4 live S.H.; 11 chinook carcasses; 5 unknown skeletons; 25 redds; water temp 46 degrees F.; air 46 degrees F.
Field Note (9 Feb. 1993) surveyed from mouth to 2 miles; 1 chinook skeleton; 25 redds; water temp 48; air 51.
Field Note (20 Dec. 1993) surveyed from mouth to 1.4 mile; 8 live chinook; 1 live coho, 1 live unknown; 16 redds; water 38 degrees.
Field Note (29 Dec. 1993) surveyed from mouth to 1.4 miles; 1 live chinook; 18 redds.
Field Note (5 Jan. 1994) surveyed from Bell Creek to 1.2 mile; 6 chinook carcasses (males 46, 88, 99 cm.; females 78, 79, 83 cm.); 8 chinook skeletons; 56 redds; water 50; air 52.
Field Note (13 Jan. 1994) surveyed from mouth to 1.1 mile; 4 unknown live; 2 unknown skeletons; 36 redds; water 43; air 39.
Herpetofauna Survey Field Note (31 May 1994) surveyed from mouth to 6018 ft.; 1 unknown adult frog at 1792'; 1 adult foothill yellow legged frog at 2134'; no tadpoles or egg masses; water 56; air 68.
Restoration Work Plan (survey 28 Oct. 1994) 11 cover/scour; 1 pool enhancement projects.
Salmon Spawning Surveys, from mouth to 1.4 mile.
(5 Dec. 1994) 7 unknown; 38 chinook; 15 redds; water 45; air 44.
(15 Dec. 1994) 34 chinook; 1 male chinook carcass; 5 female
chinook carcasses; 37 redds; water 44; air 45
(22 Dec. 1994) 13 unknown; 4 chinook; 1 redd; water 46; air 42.
(7 Jan. 1995) no fish; water 53; air 55.
Field Note (5 Dec. 1995) surveyed from mouth to 1.0 mile; no fish; water 52; air 60.
Field Note (20 Dec. 1995) surveyed from Lawrence to 1.5 mile; 31 live chinook (16 males, 9 females, 2 jacks, 4 unknown sex); 2 unknown salmonids; 13 redds; 1 female chinook carcass; water 50; air 44.
Field Note (4 Jan. 1996) surveyed from mouth 1.5 mile; 14 live adult fish (2 chinook, 1 chinook jack, 4 coho, 1 SH, 6 unknown); 6 redds; water 50; air 50.
Field Note (9 Feb. 1996) surveyed from mouth to 1.5 mile; 4 live SH; 7 unknown fish; 1 SH carcass; water 57; air 68.
California Department of Fish and Game, Inland Fisheries Division. Stream Monitoring Progress Report: Lawrence, Shaw, Oil, Rattlesnake and Green Ridge Creeks, 1991-1995. Draft.
Shaw and Lawrence Creeks: "Total annual juvenile steelhead abundance within Shaw Creek index areas ranged from 157 to 238 during this reporting period. Total juvenile steelhead abundance has exhibited a decreasing trend of approximately 34 percent from 1992 to 1995. In contrast, relative abundance of Age 1+ steelhead increased from 3.7 percent in 1992 to 16.6 percent in 1995. Since 1993, Age 1+ steelhead absolute abundance has remained about the same but the proportion of Age 1+ juveniles has streadily increased during this period
"Total annual juvenile steelhead abundance within monitoring areas in upper Lawrence Creek has steadily increased from 392 to 792 during this four-year report period. The proportion of
Age 1+ steelhead increased from 6.9 to 10.8 percent in 1995.
"Lower Lawrence Creek monitoring reach increased in total annual abundance during 1992 through 1994 from 458 to 917, respectively. The proportion of Age 1+ steelhead has increased from 8.5 to 17.0 percent from 1992 to 1993, and then remained relatively constant during 1994 and 1995 at 16.7 and 18.6 respectively.
"Results of steelhead length frequency plots indicated that Age 1+ steelhead were greater than 89 mm. FL during all years.
"Juvenile coho salmon have not been abundant in Shaw or Lawrence Creek samples. Shaw Creek annual coho catches have ranged from 0 to 24 during 1992-95. Sampling in 1994 was the only year sufficient coho were caught to generate coho abundance estimate within the sample reaches (36 coho) based on the depletion model. During all other years, too few coho were observed to run the model. Annual juvenile coho salmon catches ranged from 0 to 4 in upper Lawrence Creek and from 1 to 6 in lower Lawrence Creek monitoring areas."
Other species observed in course of monitoring:
Lawrence only--Sacramento squawfish, sculpin, rough-skinned newt, and foothill yellow-legged frog.
Shaw only--red-legged frog.
Both--Pacific lamprey, roach, three spine stickleback, Pacific giant salamander.
North Fork Yager
Stream Survey of Lone Star Creek (8 Aug. 1938) Shapovalov and Vestal; arboreal-semi open ranch land; spawning areas, pools, and shelter good; food very good with caddisflies abundant; water temp 58 degrees F.; air 64.5 degrees F.; probably barren, should be stocked.
Stream Survey (8 Aug. 1938) Shapovalov and Vestal; arboreal, pools and shelter excellent; water temp 60.5 degrees F.; air 67 degrees F.; fish SH 1 1/2"-7"; abundance "common."
Report (18 May 1956) Jack Olsen Logging Show at mouth of Butte Creek on North Fork, logs and debris completely filling stream channel 5-15 ft. deep, oil and gasoline on water.
Stream Survey (20 Aug. 1964) surveyed from mouth to 3 miles; "Spawning conditions were excellent. The gravel was loose and uniform in size (2-5" in diameter). There was some silting caused by several large natural slides about 2 1/2 miles upstream from mouth...Salmonids were very numerous. Fish were seined and identified as rainbow trout. The fish ranged in size from 2-14 inches in length. The most common size was in the 5-6 inch bracket. At the time of the survey the Pacific Lumber Company was preparing to start logging operations on the North Fork drainage."
Field Note (27 March 1967) Lone Star Creek, 7 adult steelhead and 5 redds, 1 mile upstream from North Fork.
Field Note (20 July and 25 Aug. 1972) surveyed from mouth to 12 miles; identified low water barriers and obstructions.
Field Note (6 Aug. 1980) surveyed from PALCO access road to 2 miles; lower section can presently be utilized for anadromous fish migration; at 1.5 mile complete natural barrier of bedrock 20'x10'x10'.
Field Note (20 Oct. 1982) relative to Roy Fulton's proposal to develop small hydro; surveyed from near Salmon Creek to County road, l mile; canopy 5% (alders); 2 cfs; boulder roughs 700' long exists in vicinity of Iaqua Creek, auto-size boulders are a complete barrier; below roughs RT/SH 2-3" (200/100' of stream, abundant) assumed to be SH; a few 2 1/2" RT were seen near county road bridge ans assumed to be residents. North Fork Yager should be managed for anadromous salmonids to the roughs and for resident trout above.
South Fork Yager
Stream Survey (8 Aug. 1938) By Shapovalov and Vestal; arboreal and canyons; pools and shelter good, no fish seen; water 59; air 62 degrees F.
Stream Survey (23 June 1980) surveyed from mouth to 4500'; shade canopy averaged 50% and consisted mainly of alders, redwoods and other conifers; areas suitable for anadromous fish spawning were numerous; pool to riffle ratio 1:3; aquatic insects were abundant and consisted mainly of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Hemiptera, Tricoptera, Coleoptera and Diptera. Salmonid fry were abundant throughout the surveyed section. Local residents indicated that an abundant population of resident trout exists above barrier #3 at 2000'.
Field Note (26 July 1985) surveyed .5 mile from PALCO access road, 4-C, upstream to Owl Creek; below first log jam 2" RT/SH juveniles were abundant; above log jam the abundance of fish decreased, although fish were observed throughout the survey.
Field Note (30 Sept. 1985) surveyed .5 mile; juvenile RT/SH
1 1/5" to 2" were abundant up to the 1830' barrier. Few fish (2-6 inches) were observed above the barrier, probably resident rainbow trout.
Carcass Survey (4 Feb. 1992) surveyed from mouth to .5 mile; no fish; 2 redds; water 46; air 49.
Field Note (29 Jan. 1993) surveyed from mouth to 3750'; 12 live chinook; 1 live SH; 8 redds; water 45; air 42.
Herpetofauna Survey Field Note (1 June 1994) surveyed from mouth to 2203'; 1 adult foothill yellow-legged frog at 300'; 1 unknown frog at 1725'; no tadpoles or egg masses; water 56; air 59.
Spawning Survey from mouth to 2200'
(5 Dec. 1994) no fish; water 42; air 41.
(22 Dec. 1994) 1 unknown live; 1 male chinook carcass; water 49; air 44.
Field Note (15 Feb. 1996) surveyed from mouth to 2200'; 1 unknown live; 4 redds; water 48; air 47.
Strawberry Creek
Stream Survey (18 Nov. 1980) surveyed from mouth to 1.25 miles; 24 log jams; shade canopy 70% (alder, willows, conifers); pool to riffle ratio 2:1; 2 salmonids 500' above mouth.
Carcass Survey (8 Jan. 1992) surveyed from culvert on main road to .5 mile; 3 redds; water 44; air 49.
Carcass Survey (4 Feb. 1992) surveyed from mouth to .5 mile; 3 redds; water 45; air 51.
Stream Restoration/Enhancement Work Plan (surveyed 16 Nov. 1992) surveyed from mouth to 3395'; 14 projects for fish passage and bank protection.
Field Note (19 Jan. 1993) surveyed from mouth to 2700'; no fish; water 48; air 48.
Wilson Creek
Survey (12 June 1963) surveyed from mouth to 1 1/2 mile; "salmonids were observed ranging from 1 to 3 inches in size. Silver salmon were identified. No fish were seen in the upper reaches of the stream."
Memo To Files (9 Feb. 1984) 3 unknown fish collected at Highway 36 crossing; 2 roach; 1 steelhead (84 mm.)
Field Note (5 Feb. 1987) surveyed from 200' below Highway 36 culvert to near Cuddeback school, 1 mile; 3 steelhead redds in 200' below highway culvert; 23 redds from culvert to tributary in sec. 22 (1/2 mile); 11 live steelhead including 1 spawning pair in that 1/2 mile section; 2 redds 250' above tributary; 1 redd in sec. 22 tributary; "Wilson Creek is a productive steelhead stream. Fry must migrate after hatching to either Yager Creek or to upper Wilson Creek."
Field Note (20 Jan. 1988) from Jim Froland; steelhead spawning in Wilson Creek, sec. 22, 1N1E; surveyed from Highway 36 culvert (MP 5.2) upstream 150 yards; 12-14 redds; 8 adult steelhead in 4-6 pound range; 2 spawners were spent; 1-2 inches of water in some riffles.
Yager Creek
Stream Survey (no date, but possibly 1930s) past stock--species and success--"Difficult to measure results [on] account of heavy natural reproduction." extent of natural propagation--"Should be considerable, stream gets good run of steelhead and salmon and is a good spawning stream...Stream carries a good head of water in winter and gets heavy run of S.H. During summer it gets low and warm and natural reproduction probably enough to keep stream stocked. The N,S and Middle forks add about 20 miles to stream length. They have the same characteristics and should receive the same treatment. The forks are not fished as heavily as the main stream."
Stocking Record Rainbow Trout Steelhead
1930 25,000 25,000
1931 10,000 25,000, 15,000
1932 20,000
1933 15,000
1934 10,000
1935 15,000, 10,000
1936 25,000
1938 40,000 Ft. Seward
1939 15,000 Ft. Seward
Photos/Report (25 April 1956) Jack Olsen logging show in creek.
Stream Survey (25 and 27 Aug. 1964) surveyed from mouth to confluence of North Fork; "Yager Creek has excellent spawning areas. The gravel is uniform in size (2-5 inches in diameter). There is some silt, but the gravel is still loose. There is not too much shelter for fish--only under rocks and a few logs...Caddis fly larvae were quite abundant...Salmonids were very abundant. Seining was done near the mouth and the species identified were stickleback, rainbow trout, and silver salmon. The fish ranged in size from 2 inches to 12 inches. The most abundant were the 5-6 inch fish."
Letter from Steinhart Aquarium to CDFG, Sacramento (20 Feb. 1968)
re: fish taken 1/4 mile above mouth, identified as Catostomus occidentalis which agrees with Snyder's C. humboldtianus; found in Mad, Eel and Bear rivers; Hesperoleucus symmetricus, not known in Eel, must have been introduced in Yager.
Stream Survey (30 July 1980) surveyed from mouth of Middle Fork to 3/4 mile; shade canopy 80%; pool to riffle ratio 1:2; pools averaged 2.5 feet deep in lower section up to boulder roughs.
From boulder roughs to redrock falls, 30% canopy of hardwoods. Suitable spawning and rearing habitat was present in the lower section, however salmonid fry were abundant throughout the entire survey.
PHI Report on THP 1-87-560 HUM (28 Sept. 1987) from Jim Froland, Warden [75 acre old growth clear cut on North Fork]
"The west side of the stream consists of poorly vegetated cutover slopes and large slides, which contribute little benefit to shade canopy at this time. Old-growth conifers in the THP area on east side of the creek provide nearly the entire shade canopy to this Class I stream. Wintering Bald Eagle also use these streamside trees for roosting and feeding. Although the plan requests an exemption for overstory retention along several sections of the stream, onsite conditions indicate that this is not appropriate. In fact, standard 50 ft. WLPZ width in areas #4 and #12 appear inadequate to provide necessary stream protection, shade canopy and wildlife habitat...
"The predominance of Western Roach, a minnow that prefers warmer water temperature than the native salmonids, indicates that the stream temperature may already be near the upper limit of salmonid tolerance..."
Carcass Survey (3 Dec. 1991) surveyed from 2nd bridge past Yager Camp to Cooper Mill creek, 2.5 miles; 1 live chinook; 1 unknown; 14 redds; water 40; air 37.
Carcass Survey (4 Dec. 1991) surveyed from confluence of Lawrence to 2nd bridge past Yager Camp, 2.3 miles; 3 live chinook; 1 unknown; 9 redds; the majority of the redds were at the upper end of the surveyed section near the confluence of Lawrence Creek...Three bald eagles observed; water temp 42 degrees F.; air 39 degrees F.
Carcass Survey (5 Dec. 1991) surveyed from mouth of S.F. to Lawrence Creek, 4.5 miles; 17 live chinook (6 jacks); 21 redds; water 42; air 45.
Carcass Survey (6 Dec. 1991) surveyed from NF bridge to SF confluence, 2 miles; no fish; water 42 degrees; air 44.
Field Note (ll Dec. 1991) surveyed from mouth of Strawberry to confluence of Lawrence, 1 mile; 1 chinook skeleton; 2 live chinook; 7 redds; water temp 42 degrees F.; air 46 degrees F.
Carcass Survey (24 Jan. 1992) surveyed from 4C bridge to 4B bridge, 2 miles; 17 live chinook; 2 male chinook carcasses (81 and 97 cm.); 11 redds; water 43; air 53.
Carcass Survey (24 Jan. 1992) surveyed from Strawberry Creek to Lawrence Creek, 1 1/4 mile; 1 live chinook; 1 chinook skeleton; 5 redds; water 42; air 53.
Carcass Survey (27 Jan. 1992) surveyed from bridge below SF to Strawberry Creek, 2 miles; 3 live chinook; 1 female chinook carcass (92 cm.) 10 redds; water 49; air 63.
Field Note (1 Dec. 1992) surveyed Strawberry Creek down to Lawrence, 1 mile; 2 live chinook; 2 redds.
Field Note (1 Dec. 1992) surveyed from first bridge down to second bridge, 1.2 mile; 3 live chinook; 8 redds.
Field Note (1 Dec. 1992) surveyed from SF to first bridge downstream, 1/4 mile, nothing.
Summary of Fish Information for Yager Creek Basin
Blanton Creek
8/1/85 survey, 100 SH/RT fry/100 ft. of stream
8/1/85 survey, SH/RT (1.5-2") "abundant"
12/10/87 survey, 5 live adult chinook 1/4/88 survey, 2 chinook carcasses; 5+ redds
2/5/88 survey, spawning chinook observed
12/7/88 survey, no fish or redds
1/18/89 survey, no fish or redds
1/22/90 survey, no fish or redds
8/12,13/91 electrofishing site 1, 14 SH (47-108mm)
8/12,13/91 electrofishing site 2, 5 SH (48-168mm)
8/12,13/91 electrofishing site 3, 2 SH (101-141mm)
8/12,13/91 electrofishing site 4, 3 SH (104-117mm)
1/8/92 survey, 1 live chinook; 1 redd.
12/16/92 survey, no fish or redds
12/21/92 survey, 1 redd
1/27/93 survey, 2 redds
12/5/94 survey, no fish or redds
2/15/96 survey, 10 redds.
Booths Run
8/11/80 "salmonid fry abundant throughout the entire survey"
8/91 survey, at 4886' many YOY observed
9/9/91 electrofishing site 1, 53 SH (49-165mm)
9/9/91 electrofishing site 2, 44 SH (69-151mm)
9/9/91 electrofishing site 3, 2 SH (75-81mm)
Cooper Mill Creek
6/12/61 "The stream contained many salmonid fry up to log jam
#17 aand silver fry was the only salmonid identified.
The abundance of salmonid fry would tend to indicate
that Cooper Mill Creek could be an important contri-
butor to the Yager Creek fishery."
12/9/64 survey, 3F KS car >23 7/8"; 1F KS car <23 7/8"; 1M SS <23 7/8"; 1 KS skel; 7 live KS; 6 live uniden
9/27/76 "Counting only a small percent of the fish shocked in a
single pass of 200 feet of stream...an estimated popula-
tion of 100 fish/100 feet of stream was arrived at."
Sample: 39 RT/SH, 1.7" to 5.9", mean 2.8"
4/78 1,859 SH stocked, PALCO's hatchery
1/16/79 survey, 21 live KS; 3 KS car; 41 redds
6/27/80 survey, "abundant number of salmonid fry..."
7/8/80 "king salmon...run was estimated at 80 fish..."
3/81 30,000 SH stocked, PALCO's hatchery
2/82 6,560 SH stocked, PALCO's hatchery
6/82 2,636 KS, (Y-81) stocked, PALCO's hatchery
6/85 6,688 KS (Y-84) stocked, PALCO's hatchery
8/85 5,115 SH stocked, PALCO's hatchery
6/86 7,310 KS (Y-85) stocked, PALCO's hatchery
6/86 46,750 KS (Y-86) stocked, PALCO's hatchery
1/7/88 survey, 41 KS car; 7 KS skel
12/7/88 survey, 14 live KS; 10M/9F KS car; 2 KS skel; 14+ redds
1/3/89 survey, no fish or redds
1/18/89 survey, no fish or redds
88/89 PALCO trap: 8M/11F KS; 62 grisle; 1M/1F SS
6/89 19,992 KS (Y-88) stocked, PALCO's hatchery
1/22/90 survey, no fish or redds
11/20/90 electrofishing site 1: 12 SH (50-85 mm)
electrofishing site 2: 25 SH (50-107 mm)
1/91 3 live KS observed
3/3/92 survey, 8 redds
12/16/92 survey, 6 live KS; 1M KS car (100 cm); 1 redd
1/19/93 survey, 13 live KS; 3 live uniden; 11 redds
1/19/93 survey, 10 live SH; 2 live uniden; 6 redds
1/27/93 survey, 5 live KS; 1 live uniden; 1M KS skel; 1 redd
1/29/93 survey, 13 live KS; 5 live SH; 4M KS car (92-100 cm);
1 KS skel; 15 redds
11/28/94 survey, no fish or redds
Corner Creek
4/25/88 survey, 1 KS YOY; 1 SS YOY; 1 SH 1+
8/15/91 electrofishing site 1, 14 SH (39-63 mm)
electrofishing site 2, 5 SH (50-121 mm)
electrofishing site 3, l SH (170 mm)
12/21/92 survey, no fish or redds
Fish Creek
5/7/82 survey, "many salmonid fingerlings, ranging from 1" to
4" in length, were seen from the mouth up to obstruction
#3."
1/8/92 survey, no fish or redds
12/18/92 survey, 2 live chinook; 1 redd
1/27/93 survey, 2 live chinook; 1 uniden; 2 redds
1/13/94 survey, 4 redds
12/22/95 survey, 1 live male chinook; 1 male jack carcass
1/8/96 survey, no fish or redds
2/15/96 survey, 1 uniden skel
Lawrence Creek
1930s? survey, "All fish caught are 1st year SH."
8/8/38 survey, SH 1.5" to 5" were "common"
5/31/52 angling, 3 hrs. 6 small RT; 3 hrs 33 RT, 3.4 to 7.1
inches; 2 ripe males, 4.7 and 5.1 inches; new eggs
beginning to form in females 5 to 7 inches in length
8/26/64 seining, "numerous trout in the 2-8 inch total length
class were caught and a holdover steelhead was observed. Seining produced large numbers of fingerling salmonids throughout the stream."
12/3/69 survey, SH 1.5 to 2.5 inches were "common;" a few fish
about 5 inches long; 2 miles below Bell Ck, SH in two
sizes: 1.25 to 2.25 inches and 4 to 6 inches were "very
abundant" and in "excellent condition."
12/2,3/69 electrofishing, SH in 3 size groups: 2-2.5", 4" and 7";
"Fish were abundant and in excellent condition."
7/17/72 survey, "Silver salmon and steelhead fingerlings were
observed throughout the stream."
12/4/85 survey, 4 live KS; 1M KS car; 1F KS car; 1 redd
12/12/85 survey, 32 live KS; 1F KS car; 14 redds
12/20/85 survey, 81 live KS; 5M KS car; 4F KS car; 1 uniden car;
54 redds
1/8/86 survey, 3 live KS; 7M KS car; 2F KS car; 3 uniden car;
10 redds
1/7/88 survey, 12 live KS; 20 skel; 15M KS car (47-110 cm); 18F KS car (68-99 cm); 20+ redds; 1M SS car (52 cm)
1/26/88 survey, 2 skel
12/7/88 survey, 8M KS car; 11F KS car; 155 live KS; 60+ redds
12/15/88 survey, 32 KS car; 11 skel; 27 live KS; 40 redds
12/16/88 2 live KS; 8 KS car; 1 skel; 6 redds
1/10/89 survey, no fish or redds
4/13/89 surveys, "Anadromous adult fish noted in the channel
during the carcass surveys on Lawrence were chinook and
coho. Steelhead and coho young of the year were noted
during summer months. Numerous chinook salmon YOY were
noted at the margins of the channel."
1/20/89 survey, no fish or redds
1/21/90 survey, 3 live KS (1M 110 cm; 1 jack 45 cm); 2 KS skel;
6 redds
12/21/90 survey, 2 redds
1/2/91 survey, 1F KS (70 cm)
1/9/91 survey, 2 uniden skel; 1F SS (head only)
1/28/91 survey, 1 SH skel; 1 redd
8/91 survey, at 11231' YOY; at 12261' YOY; at 15851 YOY;
at 16587' many YOY and 1+ observed
9/16,18/91 electrofishing site 1: 49 SH (49-148mm); 12 Pacific lamprey ammocoetes
electrofishing site 2: 54 SH (44-143mm)
electrofishing site 3: 47 SH (44-135mm); 1 Pacific
lamprey ammocoete (115mm)
electrofishing site 4: 124 SH (45-192mm); 4 Pacific
lamprey ammocoetes
12/9/91 survey, 5 redds
1/13,14/92 survey, 14 live KS; 2 uniden; 2F KS car (79 and 89 cm)
2 KS skel; 57 redds
1/22/92 survey, 15 live KS; 1 live SH; 3M KS car (88,99,100
cm); 6F KS car (80-100 cm); 1 SH skel; 3 uniden skel:
46 redds
1/30/92 survey, 1F KS car (85 cm); 3 uniden live; 4 uniden
skel; 19 redds
12/24/92 survey, 10 live KS; 1M KS car (94 cm); 8 redds
1992 estimated SH abundance, Law 1: 210; Law 2: 182; Law 3: 133;
Law 4: 116; Law 5: 149; Law 6: 60
1992 coho sampling, 3 total for 6 sites
1/5/93 survey, 7 live KS; 1 live uniden; 8 KS car; 5 KS skel;
1 SH skel; 34 redds
2/3/93 survey, 15 live KS; 14 KS car; 12 KS skel; 28 redds
12/20/93 survey, 4 live KS; 1 KS car (74 cm); 2 uniden skel;
8 redds
12/20/93 survey, 2 live KS; 4 uniden live; 5 uniden skel; 14 redds
12/27/93 survey, 27 live KS; 6 uniden live; 2 KS car (76,11 cm);
6 uniden skel; 57 redds
1993 estimated SH abundance, Law 1: 209; Law 2: 323; Law 3: 190;
Law 4: 86; Law 5: 175; Law 6: 177
1993 coho sampling, 1 total for 6 sites
1/18/94 survey, 1 live KS; 1 live uniden; 1 KS car; 4 redds
1/18/94 survey, 7 live KS; 3 KS car (1 jack 40 cm); 2 uniden
skel; 39 redds
12/9/94 3 uniden live; 4 redds
1994 estimated SH abundance, Law 1: 245; Law 2: 523; Law 3: 252
Law 4: 216; Law 5: 191; Law 6: 258
1994 coho sampling, 10 for 6 sites
12/22/95 survey, 77 live KS; 7 uniden live; 16 KS car (8M/8F); 1 KS skel; 12 redds
1995 estimated SH abundance, Law 1: 404; Law 2: 388; Law 3: 152
Law 4: 208; Law 5: 172; Law 6: 129
1995 coho sampling, 2 for 6 sites
2/15/96 survey, 1 live SH; 1 uniden skel; 6 redds
2/15/96 survey, 7 redds
Middle Fork Yager
6/24-26/91 survey, at 592' YOY
8/13,29/91 electrofishing site 1: 16 SH (34-148 mm); 9 roach
(50-68 mm); 6 stickleback (32-38 mm)
electrofishing site 2: 6 SH (46-177 mm)
electrofishing site 3: 0 fish
North Fork Yager
8/8/38 survey, Lone Star Creek, "probably barren"
8/8/38 survey, SH 1.5" to 7" "common"
8/25,27/64 seining, "Salmonids were very numerous. Fish were
seined and identified as rainbow trout. The fish ranged in size from 2-14 inches in length. The most common size was in the 5-6 inch bracket."
3/27/67 survey, Lone Star Creek, 7 adult SH; redds
10/20/82 survey, RT/SH 2-3 inches (200/100' of stream) below
roughs; a few 2.5" RT above
6/24-27/91 survey, at 8991' 20 SH (5-8"); at 9436' 50 YOY SH
8/13&9/10/91 electrofishing site 1: 25 SH (53-168 mm); 34 roach
(28-84 mm); 5 sucker (88-157 mm); 2 stickleback
(22,32 mm); 3 lamprey (111-114 mm)
electrofishing site 2: 33 SH (52-144 mm); 58 roach
(34-74 mm); 1 lamprey (93 mm); 2 salamanders
electrofishing site 3: 14 SH (49-165 mm); 41 roach
(21-74 mm); 1 lamprey (103 mm)
electrofishing site 4: 57 SH (41-141 mm); 47 roach
(35-74 mm); 1 lamprey (109); 2 salamanders
Shaw Creek
8/2/85 survey, "RT/SH and coho juveniles were abundant
throughout the survey..."
12/12/85 survey, 56 KS; 35 redds
12/20/85 survey, 17 KS; 44 redds
1/8/86 survey, 5 KS; 16 redds; 1M KS car
12/3/87 survey, 9 live KS
1/4/88 survey, 4 KS skel; 1M KS car; 3+ redds; 3 live SS
3/15/88 survey, 3 salmon, 2 of which were spawning
12/7/88 survey, 9 live KS; 5 skel; 5 car; 11 redds
1/13/89 survey, 2 live KS
1/21/90 survey, no fish or redds
7/29,30/91 electrofishing site 1: 1 SH (146mm)
electrofishing site 2: 14 SH (53-123 mm); 2 SS
(68-69 mm); 1 Pacific lamprey (131 mm)
electrofishing site 3: 18 SH (33-123 mm); 2 SS
(28,40 mm); 1 Pacific lamprey (135 mm)
3/4/92 survey, 1 live SH; 10 redds
12/16/92 survey, 2 live KS; 2 live SS; 1 live uniden; 8 redds
1992 estimated SH abundance, Shaw 1: 158; Shaw 2: 37; Shaw 3: 43
1992 coho sampling, 12 total for 3 sites
1/12/93 survey, 16 live KS; 2 live SH; 5 uniden; 3 uniden
skel; 22 redds
1/19/93 survey, 37 live KS; 1 SH; 2 uniden; 1M KS car (97cm);
2 KS skel; 1 SH skel; 1 uniden skel; 32 redds
1/27/93 survey, 12 live KS; 4 live SH; 11 KS car; 5 uniden
skel; 25 redds
2/9/93 survey, 1 KS skel; 25 redds
12/20/93 survey, 8 live KS; 1 live SS; 1 live uniden; 16 redds
12/29/93 survey, 1 live KS; 18 redds
1993 estimated SH abundance, Shaw 1: 141; Shaw 2: 21; Shaw 3: 43
1993 coho sampling, 0 total for 3 sites
1/5/94 survey, 6 KS car (M 46,88,99 cm; F 78,79,83 cm); 8 KS
skel; 56 redds
1/13/94 survey, 4 uniden live; 2 uniden skel; 36 redds
12/5/94 survey, 7 uniden; 38 KS; 15 redds
12/15/94 survey, 34 KS; 1M KS car; 5F KS car; 37 redds
12/22/94 survey, 13 uniden; 4 KS; 1 redd
1994 estimated SH abundance, Shaw 1: 109; Shaw 2: 45; Shaw 3: 51
1994 coho sampling, 24 total for 3 sites
1/7/95 survey, no fish or redds
12/5/95 survey, no fish or redds
12/20/95 survey, 31 live KS (16M, 9F, 2 jacks, 4 uniden);
2 uniden; 1F KS car; 13 redds
1995 estimated SH abundance, Shaw 1: 96; Shaw 2: 25; Shaw 3: 36
1995 coho sampling, 16 total for 3 sites
1/4/96 survey, 2 live KS; 1 live KS jack, 4 live SS; 1 live SH; 6 live uniden; 6 redds
2/9/96 survey, 4 live SH; 7 live uniden; 1 SH car
South Fork Yager
8/8/38 survey, "no fish seen"
6/23/80 survey, "Salmonid fry were abundant throughout the
surveyed section. Local residents indicated that
an abundant population of resident trout exists above
barrier #3 at 2000'."
7/26/85 survey, 2" RT/SH juveniles were abundant below first
log jam
9/30/85 survey, juvenile RT/SH 1.5" to 2" were "abundant" up to
the 1830' barrier; few fish (2-6") above barrier
8/14/91 electrofishing site 1: 26 SH (35-139 mm); 33 roach
(55-91 mm)
electrofishing site 2: 61 SH (41-136 mm)
electrofishing site 3: 13 SH (49-162 mm)
2/4/92 survey, 2 redds
1/29/93 survey, 12 live KS; 1 live SH; 8 redds
12/5/94 survey, no fish or redds
12/22/94 survey, 1 uniden live fish; 1M KS car
2/15/96 survey, 1 uniden live; 4 redds
Strawberry Creek
11/18/80 survey, 2 salmonids 500' above mouth
7/29&8/12/91 electrofishing site 1: 5 SH (50-130 mm)
electrofishing site 2: 1 SH (135 mm)
electrofishing site 3: 1 SH (117 mm)
1/8/92 survey, 3 redds
2/4/92 survey, 3 redds
1/19/93 survey, no fish or redds
Wilson Creek
6/12/63 survey, "salmonids were observed ranging from 1 to 3
inches in size. Silver salmon were identified."
2/9/84 survey, 3 uniden fish; 2 roach; 1 SH (84 mm)
2/5/87 survey, 29 SH redds; 11 live SH including
spawning pair; "Wilson Creek is a productive steelhead
stream..."
1/20/88 SH spawning in Wilson Creek, 12-14 redds; 8 adult SH
9/3/91 YOY and juvenile salmonid fry in ponded water in
dewatered reach; salmonid fry below bridge at 716';
at 1603' juvenile SH (10-12 inches)
9/6/91 electrofishing site 1: 4 stickleback (39-74 mm)
electrofishing site 2: 5 SH (71-305 mm)
electrofishing site 3: no fish
Yager Creek
1930 stocking: 25,000 RT; 25,000 SH
1931 stocking: 10,000 RT; 25,000 and 15,000 SH
1932 stocking: 20,000 SH
1933 stocking: 15,000 SH
1934 stocking: 10,000 SH
1935 stocking: 15,000 and 10,000 SH
1936 stocking: 25,000 SH
1938 stocking: 40,000 SH from Ft. Seward Hatchery
1939 stocking: 15,000 SH from Ft. Seward Hatchery
8/9/38 survey, stickleback, and sucker "abundant"
8/25/64 seining, "Salmonids were very abundant...species
identified were stickleback, rainbow trout, and silver
salmon. The fish ranged in size from 2 inches to 12
inches. The most abundant were the 5-6 inch fish."
2/20/68 identification, specimens taken 1/4 mile from mouth:
Catostomus occidentalis and Hesperoleucus symmetricus.
7/30/80 survey, "salmonid fry were abundant throughout the
entire survey."
8/91 survey, at 30126' SH 18-24"; at 61716' "very high
densities" of roach; at 63029' dead 4" SH; at 63349'
4 large 2+ SH and 100 roach
9/11,16/91 electrofishing site 1: 4 SH (86-112 mm); 58 roach
(31-75 mm); 19 sculpin (50-120 mm); 1 Pacific
lamprey ammocoete (148 mm)
electrofishing site 2: 14 SH (81-192 mm); 15 roach;
9 sculpin (46-115 mm)
electrofishing site 3: 27 SH (71-190 mm); 5 roach (57-78
mm); 1 Pacific lamprey ammocoete (106 mm)
electrofishing site 4: 0 SH; 212 roach (26-95 mm); 11
sucker (43-63 mm)
electrofishing site 5: 3 SH (74-105 mm); 14 roach (34-71
mm); 3 sucker (111-145 mm); 3 Pacific lamprey ammocoetes
(103-109 mm)
12/4/91 survey, 3 live KS; 1 uniden; 9 redds
12/5/91 survey, 17 live KS (6 jacks); 21 redds
12/6/91 survey, no fish or redds
12/11/91 survey, 1 KS skel; 2 live KS; 7 redds
1/24/92 survey, 17 live KS; 2M KS car (81,97 cm); 11 redds
1/24/92 survey, 1 live KS; 1 KS skel; 5 redds
1/27/92 survey, 3 live KS; 1F KS car (92 cm); 10 redds
12/1/92 survey, 2 live KS; 2 redds
12/1/92 survey, 3 live KS; 8 redds
12/1/92 survey, no fish or redds
