Current Information

2022 Application to Establish a Watershed Group – WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program Planning Grant Proposal. Establishment of a New Watershed Group to Foster Collaboration, Trust, Outreach, Planning, and Solutions in the South Fork of the Boise River Watershed in Southwest Idaho.

2020 U of I Study of Riparian Restoration – This report, Riparian Vegetation Recruitment Tool for Assessing River Management Flexibility, South Fork Boise River, looks at options to restore riparian cottonwood and willow along the South Fork of the Boise River. By Andy Tranmer.

2020 SFB Population Survey – The latest published report from Idaho Fish and Game on the triennial population survey efforts on the South Fork Boise River.

2017 SFB Population Survey – Idaho Fish and Game returned to its triennial interval for its population survey after the two year interval between 2012 and 2014 (due to the wildlife and blowouts caused by the rainstorm a month after the fire).

2017 U of I Study of Dam Operations – Report is titled, Investigate measures to minimize the effect of operations of Anderson Ranch Dam on the South Fork Boise River between Anderson Ranch and Arrowrock Reservoirs and was produced by the University of Idaho Center for Ecohydraulics Research for the Bureau of Reclamation.

2015 SFB Juvenile Trout Survey – This report displays the results of the 2015 survey of age zero trout along the stream edges of the South Fork Boise River.

2014 SFB Population Survey and Tributary Surveys – This report displays the results of the 2014 population survey.  Typically conducted every three years, the survey was accelerated by one year to gauge the effects of the 2013 wildfire and debris flows.  The document also contains information on the 2014 survey of tributaries to the South Fork, including some affected by the debris flows in 2013 and 2014.

2013 SFB tributary and River Surveys – The IDFG conducted annual survey work of age zero trout in the main South Fork Boise River, and in 2013 also collected population data in Pierce Creek upstream of the bridge that replaced a culvert in 2011.  This survey occurred prior to the August 9, 2013 wildfire and September 12, 2013 debris flow event – PDF format.

Photos from the November 9, 2013 planting – Approximately 100 people came out on a stark, crisp autumn day to put hundreds of plants into the ground along the South Fork Boise River and tributaries.  These photos are on a dropbox.com page.

2013 USGS Bull Trout Study – Report titled Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) Movement in Relation to Water Temperature, Season, and Habitat Features in Arrowrock Reservoir, Idaho, 2012 from the US Geological Survey and it includes the South Fork Boise River. The landing page is https://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2013/5158/.

October 2012 SFB Population Survey – The IDFG conducted its triennial population survey, and here is the report, excerpted from the annual fisheries investigations report – PDF format

2012 SFB Tributary Survey – The IDFG fish population surveys of Trail, Rattlesnake, Little Rattlesnake, and Cottonwood Creeks.  Also part of the report are similar tributary surveys in the Payette River draininage – PDF format

September 2012 Macroinvertebrate Report completed February 2014.

September 2012 Stranding Study posted July 5, 2013.

March 2011 Pierce Creek Bridge decision memorandum by the Mountain Home District Ranger

Genetic Study of SFB trout as compared to populations in the tributaries of the Middle Fork and North Fork of the Boise River.  Authored by Helen Neville (Trout Unlimited) and Jason Dunham (US Geological Survey).

Historical Information

For reference, some past reports on the South Fork Boise River fishery are provided below

2010 SFB Tributary Survey – Summer 2010 IDFG fish population surveys of Dixie, Rough, Granite, Pierce and Rock creeks.

2010 Prehistoricy Flooding research paper on paleoflooding on South Fork Boise River upstream of Indian Point. Soil pits were near road 121N.

2010 Prairie Road Sediment Impact Report – An assessment by the US Forest Service scientists at the Rocky Mountain Research Station on the sediment generated by the road from the South Fork Boise River area to the plateau on its way to Prairie.

2009 SFB Population Survey – In October 2009 IDFG conducted its triennial population survey, and here is the report, excerpted from the annual fisheries investigations report – PDF format

SFB Genetics Study Public Presentation Slides  – November 12, 2009 – PDF format

Genetic evaluation of SFB Rainbow Trout – September 2009

2008 SFB Canyon Survey – This report has information on the IDFG fishery assessment in the South Fork Boise from Danskin to Neal Bridge.

South Fork Boise Newsletter – May 6, 2008 – PDF format

Trout Unlimited Press Release on SFB projects – May 9, 2008

2008 Project Presentation – May 14, 2008 TTTU Monthly meeting – PDF format (6 MB)

SFB Tributary Assessment Instructions – instructions for volunteers – PDF format

Map of SFB Tributaries and AOP Barriers – May 1, 2008

2007 Spawning Redd Survey – map by USFS Boise National Forest, Mountain Home Ranger District

2006 SFB Electrofish Report – Idaho Fish and Game’s Lance Hebdon write-up of the 2006 survey of the fish population 

Potential Spawning Tributaries – presentation given at Nov 15, 2007 meeting

2003 Boise National Forest Management plan for the lower South Fork Boise River area.

IDFG 2003 Electrofish Report – Excerpts from the 2003 report of Idaho Fish and Game, covering the 2003 electrofishing efforts of that year, with comparisons to previous electrofishing in 2000 and 1997.

2001 Creel Census – excerpt regarding the SFB from the 2001 Annual Performance Report for Fisheries Management

1999 Whirling Diseases Study – A University of Idaho study of whirling disease in the South Fork Boise River, looking at four test sites below Anderson Ranch Dam. 4.1MB (slow download)

IDFG 1994 Electrofish Report – Excerpts from the 1994 report of Idaho Fish and Game, covering the 1994 electrofishing efforts of that year.

IDFG 1993 Electrofish Report – In the fall of 1993 IDFG conducted it’s furst electrofishing survey of the SFB section from Reclamation Village to the meadow a mile downstream of Cow Creek.  This survey set the stage for the 1994 and subsequent surveys.

IDFG 1983 Fisheries Research Report – IDFG conducted a creel survey during the 1982 fishing season in response to reports of fewer large fish being caught in 1981.  20 pages.

1982 Final EIS on the 3rd Powerhouse – Bureau of Reclamation EIS on the proposed 3rd powerhouse to be added to Anderson Ranch Dam. It was not built.

1980 Study of effects of rapid flow changes on aquatic insects –  This study was a cooperative effort of Idaho Fish and Game, University of Idaho, US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Reclamation.  Lost from the library for a long time.  Posted February 2012.  Available at the Idaho Fish and Game digital research library (16.7 MB).

1979 SFB Creel Census and Populations Study –  January 1978 to December 1978. The report also covers spawning tributary assessments, growth and age studies of fish, and fish movement. Like the year previous, this study was prepared by Idaho Fish and Game for the Bureau of Reclamation.

1978 SFB Quarterly Report – July 1978 to September 1978.

1978 SFB Creel Census and Populations Study – January 1977 to December 1977.  The study also covers fish movement via tagging.  This study was prepared by Idaho Fish and Game for the Bureau of Reclamation.

1977 SFB Creel Census Study – March 1976 to February 1977.  Special regulations had previously been enacted and this study looked at fishing activity as well as asking anglers their opinions of the new rules.  This study was prepared by Idaho Fish and Game for the Bureau of Reclamation.

1975 SFB Survey of Fish Harvest – a study of recreational use and fishing pressure from March 1974 to February 1975.  This study was prior to special regulations on the fishery.

Other Reference Information & Links

SFB River Map – Dam to Danskin – higher resolution map available at Boise National Forest website

SFB River Map – Canyon Section – higher resolution available at Boise National Forest website

Boise Nat’l Forest Top 200 A.O.P. Barriers – map by USFS Boise National Forest

2004 Boise Nat’l Forest Culvert Report – details of obstacles present in BNF and some of the remediation work completed

Stream Systems Technology Center – USFS knowledge-base for stream systems and watershed hydrology