Frenchman Creek low flow blamed for Dec. 31 fish kill

IMPERIAL -- A major fish kill at the Imperial Light Dam Reservoir last month was likely the result of near-zero flows in Frenchman Creek in that area, according to state experts.

Darrol Eichner, fisheries management supervisor for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, said that Conservation Officer Dirk Green of Imperial reported the loss of more than 400 game fish in what was once a 30-acre impoundment on Frenchman Creek four miles southwest of Imperial.

(Advertisement)

Eichner said the water level at the Light Dam is critically low because of depleted flows in Frenchman Creek that feeds the impoundment.

A report filed by Greene and received by Eichner estimates the loss to be 300 channel catfish, 60 northern pike, 30 crappie and 20 largemouth bass on Dec. 31. The report also indicated that numerous nongame fish, mussels and painted turtles also were lost.

According to Eichner, Frenchman Creek historically began near Holyoke, Colo.

In recent decades, however, the headwaters have receded to the point where flowing water begins approximately four miles upstream of Enders Reservoir. The diminishing flow of Frenchman creek corresponds directly to extensive deep-well irrigation development in Chase County, Neb., and northeast Colorado that began in the 1970s.

Eichner said it is also unfortunate in that, in 1998, a $250,000 grant from the Environmental Trust Fund was awarded to the city of Imperial for a habitat rehabilitation project on the impoundment.

Local schools had conducted outdoor environmental classroom activities on the lake related to the rehabilitation project.

Eichnere said the depletion of Frenchman Creek flows has affected fisheries and other forms of water recreation along its path, including activities at Enders Reservoir, which continues to diminish in size and as a viable fishery.

He said that Frenchman Creek also is an important tributary to the Republican River, which provides inflows to the Harlan County Reservoir.

Nebraska Game & Parks Commission

http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/