Water Wars!

Well it is that time of year again in the Bitterroot; the dog days of summer. All the doom and gloom forecasts for extreme low water levels have not come into play just yet. In fact, we are hovering just above historical averages for flows. However, the new concern is over lethal water temperatures. Currently, the Bitterroot River is drastically warming to upwards of 69 degrees at Tucker Crossing. I haven't been on the lower river lately but I am sure it is above 70 below Stevi and Florence. When the water temperatures reach 71 degrees, or higher, it becomes lethal to trout and whitefish. The reason I mention whitefish (probably much to your surprise), is that whitefish are the canary in the coal mine for rivers. When the water quality diminishes, whitefish are the first to die. After the whitefish, cutthroats are the first of the trout species to succumb then the rainbows. Brown trout are the least susceptible to poor water conditions and can bulldog their way through a variety of poor water conditions. When the temps reach 71 degrees or warmer there is not enough dissolved oxygen in the water for fish to recover after battling an angler. They simply cannot release the lactic acid from their muscles and they will perish. You may see them swim away, but they will go belly up no matter how long you revive them as long as the water is above 71 degrees.

In the mid-1980's a group of sportsmen, fishing outfitters and guides discovered a way to cope with this very issue on the Bitterroot River. A long story cut very short, they along with the State of Montana and FWP purchased 50% of the water stored in Painted Rocks reservoir, which flows into the West Fork of the Bitterroot River. The contract specifically states that "the water is to be released into the Bitterroot River for the fishery". Therefore, when the water quality starts to diminish, we are supposed to get cooler water released from the bottom of Painted Rocks dam. Since this agreement was made, the Bitterroot has re-blossomed into a far greater fishery than it was during the 80's and early 90's. However, the last two years have been water surplus years and ironically there was a fish die-off last year.

This week, a few other outfitters, guides and I became very concerned about the water quality of the Bitterroot River. I personally contacted Chris Clancy, FWP head fisheries biologist for the Bitterroot River. I wanted to find out when we could expect to see some water releases from Painted Rocks. Mr. Clancy is not in charge of the release for water flows (Larry Shock of DNRC is in charge of requesting the water master to open the gates and release water for the fishery). However, I thought I would let Mr. Clancy know of the water temp issues me and other outfitters and guides were witnessing. He explained to me that they "normally don't release water from Painted Rocks until the FLOWS are 400 C.F.S. or less at Tucker Crossing". I find this very disturbing on two levels. One, I don't care it the flows are 10,000 C.F.S.; as long as the water temps are above 71 degrees fish will die! Secondly, the original contract signed for the water releases NEVER mentions minimum flows. It states that it is for the Bitterroot fishery period! Mr. Clancy informed me that the irrigators, who own the other 50% of water in the reservoir, "will surely be calling for water and that is just as good as us calling for the water". So, just like last year, are we going to see the flows out of Painted Rocks jump dramatically in late September when we don't need them? How many fish are going to have to die, like they did last year, until we get our water? It is time that we, as anglers on the Bitterroot River make our voices heard. I encourage everyone to make calls to Larry Shock at (406) 542-5885 and Chris Clancy at (406)363-7169 and demand we start getting OUR water. These people work for us as employees of the Great State of Montana and also are in charge of our resources. The Bitterroot River is an amazing fishery and will continue to be as long as we use all our wherewithal to protect her. There is an old saying in Montana that goes, "Whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting!"