Madison Dam to Three Forks

 

  • Warm Springs Creek- Two early samples (11 and 116) from near the mouth had very few worms and no Tubifex. Actually, neither sample had very much of anything in it. Based on the drainage condition and the community, Tubifex seems likely here. I will add some better samples when possible. A 1971 sample from Norris Hot Spring by George Roemhild contained worms that could be Tubifex, but based on their small size and nearing maturity as well as information at many other warm springs, these are most likely Ilyodrilus templetoni.

     

  • Cherry Creek- An early quantitative sample (85) near the mouth in mid-winter found only 2 species of worms and failed to detect Tubifex, at this whirling disease positive site. A follow-up qualitative inventory sample (255) found 8 species of worms with the above 2 species as the most common ones and with Tubifex making up about 25% of the total. While the worm community is fairly rich, the non-worm community is fairly depressed. Grazing impacts are likely responsible for this.

     

  • Darlington Ditch Spring Creek- Two very early samples at the Cobblestone fishing access site, one from the river and one from the creek, were accidentally confused and had to be combined as sample 3 (it was a very early sample). This mid-June sample contained many worms, but no Tubifex. June is now known to be a very poor time to look for Tubifex in Montana. A second sample (83) from the ditch in mid-winter contained many worms, but only 3% Tubifex. Ilyodrilus templetoni is much more common at this site as is common in warmer streams. The whirling disease parasite may not do well with this seasonal occurrence of Tubifex. There probably are not many rainbows present anyway.

5 JAN 1997, updated on 26 Jan 1997 D.L. Gustafson
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