In the muddy creek drainage- trout unlimited (TU) has a long history of working with the bureau of land management (BLM) and many other project partners

This $998,323 Cooperative Agreement awarded by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) under the Aquatic Resources Management program (CFDA 15.244) will support Trout Unlimited, Inc. in conducting habitat restoration projects within the Muddy Creek watershed in Wyoming. The key activities to be delivered include: removing 4 fish passage barriers to allow access for native species like Colorado River cutthroat trout, roundtail chub, and sucker species to upstream spawning habitat; implementing a spawning gravel augmentation project to improve trout spawning grounds; and completing the final two phases of the large-scale Savery Creek Tailwater habitat restoration project on 4 stream miles of BLM and state land. This work will be undertaken through June 2029 to help restore native fish populations and improve the overall aquatic health of the Muddy Creek watershed.

This partnership has resulted in exciting project completions within the drainage- but there is still work to be done to ensure the success and overarching goals for all project partners in the watershed. These proposed projects will build on past efforts that have set the stage for a great native fish restoration success story. To get this restoration and reintroduction project to the finish line- project funding for critical project pieces is needed. With the funds from this award- TU will hire contractors to design and remove barriers that are no longer needed in the drainage for non-native fish removal- improve spawning habitat- install riparian fencing- and set up an education outreach program. The native fish that have been reintroduced will benefit from each of these projects. The 4 barrier removal projects will allow access to upstream habitat for colorado river cutthroat trout (crct)- roundtail chub- bluehead sucker and flannelmouth sucker. These projects will ensure all native species have access to critical habitat during different life stages- which will increase resilience of the populations. Muddy creek and littlefield creek are lacking in spawning gravels for colorado river cutthroat trout. TU and partners will implement a spawning gravel augmentation project that will increase the available spawning habitat significantly for crct. Trout unlimited- the bureau of land management and others have been working on the savery creek tailwater project for over 5 years. The project is a large-scale habitat restoration project below the high savery DAM. The project is on 4 stream miles in a mix of state and BLM lands. Two project phases have been completed over the last 4 years and one more will be in 2024. The remaining 2 phases of the project are designed and permitted. Funds from this award will go directly to construction of the final 2 phases of the project.