Friend of Fish

Eastern Montana irrigator spurs Yellowstone conservation efforts

The endangered pallid sturgeon and the warm water fish in the Lower Yellowstone River system have an unlikely ally: irrigator Roger Muggli. Backed by The Nature Conservancy, the Tongue and Yellowstone Irrigation District, and several state federal agencies, this third-generation, eastern Montana farmer is spearheading the revival of this warm water fishery.

Muggli Fish Bypass:

For many years Muggli led an effort to build a fish-bypass canal around the 12-Mile Dam on the Tongue River. This dam, built more than 120 years ago, has blocked fish from migrating to their tradiitional spawning areas, and has been indrectly responsible for the loss of 60% of the river's fish species. With the help of the COnservancy and its partner government agencies, Roger has achieved his vision. COnstruction on the bypass was completed in the late summer of 2007.

Success:

Fish are now starting to use the bypass for their spring migration. In one 24-hour period in spring '08, biologists netted around 1,200 fish, including cyprinid minnow species and larger natives. They're hopeful that other species, such as sauger or shovel-nosed sturgeon will turn up later in the spring. In any event, the number of fish using the by-pass is a good sign that fish diversity will one day be restored on the Tongue River.