Walker River Lahontan Cutthroat Trout Preservation

Expanding Threatened Populations in the Upper Walker

The LCT situation in the Walker River Basin is bleak. The only remaining Walker River strain populations of LCT within the watershed are small, disconnected and threatened by nonnative competitors. The project to protect LCT in the Walker River Basin requires not only electro-shocking and removing non-native brook trout, but also creating secure barriers to prevent non-native repopulation. Slinkard Creek and Silver Creek, two upper Walker River tributaries, have been identified as prime recovery opportunities.

Conservation Goal

  • Recover LCT across the entire Upper Walker River Basin through research, restoration, community engagement and long-term management planning.

Recent Accomplishments

  • Working with project partners, began initial fieldwork to eradicate invasive species on Silver Creek.
  • With DWR funding, initiated the West Walker Restoration Plan project.
  • Developed education and outreach materials for public dissemination as a means to communicate our work and the importance of restoring LCT populations to their native range.

What We Will Accomplish in 2014-15

  • Complete non-native fish removal on a one-mile stretch of Slinkard Creek.
  • Complete non-native fish removal on a one-mile stretch of Silver Creek.
  • Complete an outreach and education program, including construction of a LCT-informational kiosk.

Key Partners: US Fish & Wildlife Service, USGS, California Department of Fish & Game, US Forest Service, UC Davis, University of Nevada Reno

Other Partners: California Tahoe Conservancy California State Parks, Alpine Watershed Group, Nevada Division of Wildlife, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, The Nature Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, Truckee River Watershed Council, Tahoe Truckee Fly Fishers, Sagebrush Chapter of Trout Unlimited

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