Park proposes bolstering Quartz Creek fish barrier

Glacier National Park biologists would like to build up an existing fish barrier on Quartz Creek to keep more non-native lake trout from entering the Quartz Lake drainage.

Lake trout were discovered in Quartz Lake in 2005 at about the same time a fish barrier was under construction in Quartz Creek about 100 yards below Middle Quartz Lake. Work on that barrier was halted.

Lake trout compete with native bull trout and can eventually take over a lake. Bull trout are an endangered species, and Quartz Lake is still considered prime bull trout habitat.

The Park teamed up with U.S. Geologic Survey biologists in an experimental program to net lake trout from Quartz Lake. Biologists say they had some success but admit that lake trout can't be eradicated from Quartz Lake now that they're established.

According to an environmental assessment for the fish barrier project, the Park now wants to raise the barrier's total height by 1-2 feet in order to prevent further migration of lake trout into Quartz Lake. The EA calls for installing about 28 gabions - wire mesh cages filled with rock, each two feet high, two feet wide and six feet long - on and near the existing barrier.

In addition, five to 10 logs taken from downed or standing dead timber in the area would be used to increase the height of the barrier. When finished, the barrier would be about 75 feet wide, six feet thick and five feet tall.

The proposed work would take place in September to avoid disturbing nearby nesting loons and bald eagles. The Park proposes using three helicopter flights - two to haul in materials and equipment and one to haul out equipment.

Helicopters, biologists contend, would have less impact on the wilderness than using stock, because a trail would have to be constructed through the forest to reach the site. No trail exists there now.

The Park is also considering putting a fish barrier in Akokola Creek near the lower end of the stream outside the wilderness. The creek drains Akokola Lake, which has no lake trout and is one of the last remaining pure bull trout fisheries in Glacier Park.

Comments on the proposal can be made online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?documentID=45763. The EA can also be downloaded in its entirety from the link.