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The creek often runs low to nearly dry in September, and even last year it took a last
ditch volunteer effort to save the fish in the stream below Highway 93.
But this week the combination of the continued dry spell, coupled with the need for water
for fire protection has created the unintended consequence of completely draining the creek.
Residents tell me the creek was already quite low last week, but starting Tuesday it began
to disappear entirely. That's about the time fire crews had to start taking water for emergency
water drops directly from Lolo Creek upstream, and residents were forced to keep sprinklers
and irrigation systems running non-stop to protect their homes and property.
Thursday evening you could only find a hole or two that still had any water at all, and
those were full of dead and dying fish.
I came across the Paul Glidewell family who lives nearby as they were scrambling to find
any live fish to scoop up and get them to fresh water in a last ditch effort to save
a few. But its apparent most of the larger fish, minnows and crayfish aren't going to
make it. Last year a sudden infusion of water helped save the fish, but this year it might
be too late for that.
The Clark Fork Coalition, local irrigators and other groups have been trying to work
out a better plan for preserving late season streamflow in Lolo Creek. But even the best-developed
plans could be challenged in conditions like these.
In Lolo, Dennis Bragg, MTN News.