Kackley Preserve

Restoration Project Summary

Working with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the Land Trust and other partners, PacifiCorp recreated the channel to improve fish passage to recreate spawning and rearing habitat for the native Bonneville cutthroat trout (BCT).  The channel construction was completed in August of 2009.  By June 2010, bank vegetation had stabilized channel the majority of flow was returned to the spring fed creek.  Over the summer, it was amazing to watch this stream find its natural footing once again.  Also this summer, we worked with project partners to improve habitat in the stream channel.   Using a new technique, built up sediment in the stream channel was removed from the systems leaving behind a clean gravel bottom.  This technique was used at the Kackley Preserve to experiment with its effectiveness at removing the invasive New Zealand mud snail. 

Thanks to increase water flow, fish can now travel freely from the Bear River into Kackley Springs and the newly created spawning habitat. “This is a unique project,” said Dave Teuscher, Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s Regional Fisheries Manager for Southeastern Idaho. “Very seldom do we have the opportunity to manage an entire system for native species.”  We have built a fish trap near the mouth of Kackley Springs to capture fish moving up into the spring. We will manage the trap to ensure only BCT are able to move upstream and keep non-native fish from moving into the system. This will allow BCT access to key spawning habitat, and reduce hybridization with other non-native trout species.

The Land Trust is thrilled with the project! The successful restoration of Kackley Springs and its associated wetland complex will provide important habitat for the native cutthroat trout, migratory birds, including waterfowl, frogs and other wetland dependent species.  The 157-acre property is located on both sides of the Bear Rive near Grace, Idaho and consists of sagebrush steppe, emergent wetland, riparian, and riverine habitat. The Kackley property is managed to retain and preserve a character of undeveloped, natural open space and to conserve and protect fish, wildlife, scenic, historic, archaeological, and cultural values.  Owned by the Land Trust, this property is open to the public. Contact our office for directions. 

Project Summary

157-acre Kackley property is located on both sides of the Bear River in Caribou County, Idaho, approximately 38 miles north of the Utah border. Most of the Kackley property consists of sagebrush steppe, emergent wetland, riparian, and riverine habitat. These habitats support a range of wildlife, including waterfowl, neotropical migrant birds, raptors, some upland game birds, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. The Kackley property is managed to retain and preserve a character of undeveloped, natural open space and to conserve and protect fish, wildlife, scenic, historic, archaeological, and cultural values.

Watershed:  Bear River

Acreage: 157

Project Goals:

• To improve wetland function, riparian condition, water quality, and fish and wildlife habitat through habitat restoration, enhancement and management;
• To sustain priority natural resource features for the long-term through monitoring and adaptive management; and,
• To facilitate limited educational and recreational opportunities to improve knowledge and inspire stewardship of Bear River’s vulnerable natural areas, while prioritizing protection of wetlands, riparian areas, water quality, and fish and wildlife.

Public Access: Yes

Project Partners
PacifiCorp
Sagebrush Steppe Regional Land Trust
Environmental Coordinating Committee