The goal of the Resident Fish Management Plan (RFMP) is to protect resident fish populations and habitat in the Wells Hydroelectric Project (Wells Project) during the term of the new license.
Public Utility District No. 1 of Douglas County (Douglas PUD), in collaboration with the Aquatic Settlement Work Group, has agreed to implement several resident fish Protection, Mitigation, and Enhancement measures (PMEs) in support of the RFMP.
The PMEs presented within the RFMP are designed to meet the following objectives:
- In response to any future changes in Wells Dam operations, Douglas PUD will monitor and evaluate the effects, if any, on Wells Project habitat functionally related to spawning, rearing, and migration of native, non-stocked resident fish of social and economic importance, in order to make informed management decisions towards the success of the RFMP, and implement reasonable and feasible measures to address any effects
- Continue to provide additional benefits to resident fishery resources in the Wells Reservoir as a result of continued implementation of Wells Anadromous Fish Agreement and Habitat Conservation Plan Predator Control Programs and Wells Shoreline Management Plan activities.
Actions under the RFMP include conducting studies of and monitoring resident fish populations in the Wells Reservoir and operating the Wells Project in a manner that does not negatively impact them.
Resident fish species that inhabit the Wells Project include
Native Species
- Chiselmouth
- Longnose sucker
- Bridgelip sucker
- Largescale sucker
- Lake whitefish
- Prickly sculpin
- Threespine stickleback
- Burbot
- Peamouth
- Rainbow trout
- Mountain whitefish
- Northern pikeminnow
- Redsided shiner
Non-Native Species
- Black bullhead
- Brown bullhead
- Pumpkinseed
- Bluegill
- Smallmouth bass
- Largemouth bass
- Yellow Perch
- Black crappie
- Walleye
- Tench