Volunteers build fence along Portneuf River to boost trout population

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Story Published: Oct 10, 2009 at 5:25 PM MDT

Story Updated: Oct 11, 2009 at 8:48 PM MDT

By Wes Horrocks

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CARIBOU COUNTY - Volunteers spent the day trying to improve the water in the Portneuf River north of Lava Hot Springs.

The entire project has taken about 25 years.

And groups like the Southeast Idaho Fly Fishers Association, and the Portneuf River Project are excited to see things going forward. Darrell Brown, President of the Southeast Idaho Fly Fishers Association said, "You being to see as the miles roll on, it is pretty impressive how much fence we've put up."

That fence is keeping cattle from getting into the river, and grazing along its banks which eventually leads to contamination.. Brown said, "A crew of seven to ten people will do about 100,125 yards a day."

As grasses are able to start growing again, the river will be cleaned out helping to restore Yellowstone Cutthroat trout. Bud Smalley, Director of the Portneuf River Project said, "It's a long river, and just a few of us can't do it by ourselves. There is a lot of opportunity here for improvement."

So far, volunteers have put up about 10 miles worth of fence, and they're already starting to see results. Smalley said, "You can look down here now, and you can see there is trout in the river. It's running nice and clear. And that's what it's all about."

And they aren't done. The project just received a $10,000 grant to continue work.

That means more logs, and more of the river they can help. "It's pretty awesome, but we couldn't do that if we were just one little group. The more the merrier," said Smalley.

Volunteers will be out working on the fence again on the 24th of October, and the first weekend in November.

If you'd like to help contact the Southeast Idaho Fly Fishers Association, or meet at Mike's Place; 10 miles north of Lava Hot Springs.

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