Crowley Lake
Tributary Stream
Enhancement Goals

A meander on Convict Creek (above) in 1991 prior to project implementation.

   Livestock rotation and changes in public access and vehicle parking result in improvements in both riparian and nearby upland vegetation. With reduced livestock and human impacts, vegetation responds quickly and seedlings are able to mature into full-grown plants. When stream flows interact with healthy vegetation, the end result is a stream with better fishery habitat in the form of deeper pools, undercut banks, better water quality and plenty of spawning habitat for rearing young. Healthy streamside vegetation holds stream systems together and keeps them from unraveling during periods of high flow, while providing habitat for the insects fish eat. Birds and mammals common to wetland and stream habitats also benefit greatly.

Enhancement Project Shows Remarkable Success

   In the early 1990’s, the Department of Water and Power implemented improvement programs on Crowley Lake’s three major tributaries: Convict Creek, McGee Creek and the Upper Owens River. Since then, stream improvement results have been dramatic. Undercut banks formed, the river channels narrowed and deepened, streamside vegetation has become prolific, and previous impacts from recreational and livestock use have become virtually unnoticeable.

The exact same meander on Convict Creek in 1995, just four years into the project, shows remarkable changes.