Low Water Impact

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By Sarah Gravlee

Story Published: May 12, 2008 at 7:31 PM MST

Story Updated: May 12, 2008 at 7:31 PM MST

BILLINGS - Last week officials lowered the flows in the Big Horn River in an attempt to keep more water in Big Horn Lake. On Friday biologists floated the upper three miles of the Big Horn River to see the effects on the fish population.

Fish Biologists Ken Frazer said the reduced flows could greatly affect fish populations because trout lay their eggs in shallow water. Reducing the flows could dry these eggs and kill the next generation of fish. "We found a lot of reds, a lot of spawning area, with only an inch or two of water above the existing reds, so all the fish have been flushed out of these areas."

Officials with Montana's Fish Wildlife and Parks said water flows have been reduced during the Brown Trout hatching season for five of the last six years. Wyoming officials said the water level in the Big Horn Lake is significantly below mandated levels.

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