The Mores Creek watershed was placered, dredged, and hydraulically mined in the late 1800's. Tailings piles are scattered across open valleys of Mores Creek and are composed of cobbles with depths up to 15 feet. These piles armor the streambanks, preventing channel migration, riparian vegetation growth, and limiting fish and wildlife habitat. At times, temperatures in the creek reach lethal levels to fish. Hydraulically mined cliffs release massive amounts of sediment to a tributary of Mores Creek which is named Elk Creek. Elk Creek once provided native bull trout habitat and is the source of Idaho City's drinking water. The Mores Creek site is highly visible to Idahoans and is very representative of what large tracts of the western landscape silently endure.
The beauty of the Mores Creek project is the simplicity and functionality of its design. Large landscapes that have been impacted by legacy mining cannot be returned to pristine conditions. But there can be a diamond found in the rough. To stretch our dollars as far as possible, the project design is focused exclusively on making a difference in the riparian zone. Treatments will be applied based on decisions to increase the projects' footprint systematically. Work can be replicated downstream, as more grant funds and land owner participation is secured. With a sound recovery design that concentrates on functionality, large sections of a stream can be restored successfully over time.
The demonstration site lies two miles above the town of Idaho City, along scenic Highway 21. Fish habitat structures will be installed along with plants and trees planted in the reclaimed floodplain. An oasis will be created in the midst of tailings and will provide refuge to resident fish and wildlife.
Ted Trueblood Volunteers will join local Idaho City residents, The Wilderness Society, and the Idaho Conservation League to plant the newly formed floodplain this fall.
A well-attended workshop was held on June 24th to kickoff the project.
Questions or comments? tutedtrue@aol.com
Ted Trueblood Chapter of Trout Umlimited