Photo: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
UINTAH COUNTY, Utah – The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) will begin chemical treatment of several streams in the High Uintas on August 17th.
DWR completed a similar project in the Potter and East Fork Carter Creek areas in 2019 and 2020.
The biologists treat the streams with Rotenone – a naturally occurring organic substance found in the roots of several plant species.
The chemical is toxic to fish and, in the small amounts used by DWR, not harmful to humans.
Their goal is to restore the cutthroat trout population while removing brown trout. DWR says brown trout in these areas could completely replace cutthroat trout without intervention.
“These project treatments will not only increase the variety of fishing opportunities, but will also help the local fish,” says a DWR press release. “Habitat loss, non-native trout farming, and competition from non-native trout have resulted in a dramatic decline in native cutthroat trout populations in the west, raising concerns about the future of the species.”
Photo: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
From August 17th to 25th, the DWR will chemically treat the following areas with Rotenone:
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East Fork Carter Creek across the Sheep Creek Canal
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Ram, Mutton and Bummer Lakes
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West Fork Carter Creek across the Sheep Creek Canal
“Treatment areas will be well signposted and the area within 6 meters of the water will be closed to the public for hiking and other purposes the day before each treatment,” said Anthony Christianson, DWR Regional Wildlife Recreation Specialist. “The areas will reopen after the treatment process is complete.”
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