FWP warns against buildign dams in streams

During the hot summer months when the chance to cool off in the water arrives, it's a good reminder that building dams in creeks and streams can have negative consequences for fish. This is especially true for species such as bull trout, which ascend small tributaries in late summer to spawn.

Rock dams built to create swimming holes may seem harmless, but they can accumulate debris and build-up over time. While small dams can be washed out during spring, these features often remain intact and function as a passage barrier all the way through winter.

Fish may have traveled a great distance from downstream areas and their inability to travel past a dam and spawn can impact a population for many miles downstream.

Building dams in creeks is illegal. If you see a dam on a creek, please dismantle it. Notify your local FWP office if you notice persistent dams at popular access points.

Help protect our prized fisheries by not building rock dams in streams.