Newton Reservoir is a popular fishery located just 15 miles northwest of Logan, Utah. The reservoir is best known for its once dense population of tiger muskie, a species capable of attaining lengths exceeding 50-inches and weights of over 30-lbs. Because of the large size attained by this fish, it is extremely popular with anglers. Tiger muskie are usually a rare catch, but Newton Reservoir's abundant tiger muskie population once offered both experienced and novice anglers an excellent opportunity to catch this fish, with anglers often catching multiple fish in one trip. In 2013, a low water year resulted in over 100 large tiger muskie exiting the reservoir through the current outlet structure. Once out of the reservoir, these fish entered the irrigation system where they died; littering ponds and clogging water conveyance structures. The muskie population at Newton Reservoir now appears to be a small fraction of its former numbers. Tiger muskie are a sterile fish, meaning the DWR has to stock this species in order to maintain population numbers. These fish are relatively expensive to produce and thus become a particularly valuable resource as they get larger and older. Historically, the tiger muskie fishery at Newton Reservoir drew anglers from across the state and from nearby states like Idaho. The tiger muskie fishery has not rebounded since the loss of fish in 2013, resulting in noticeably lower angler visitation. When tiger muskie leave the reservoir and enter the irrigation system, they cause problems for water users. Such problems and additional work include removing fish that foul pipes and temporarily impaired water distribution. The currently outlet structure and screen at the reservoir are ineffective at preventing losses of most fish; with large gaps that allow even big fish like tiger muskie to move freely into the irrigation system. This is a lingering concern for fishery managers because of the loss of valuable fish and the resulting decline in fishery quality that can happen when large fish leave the reservoir, not to mention the continuation of headaches for water users who have to deal with the fish that end up in the irrigation network. In order to prevent further events from happening, fishery managers and Newton Water Users are seeking funding for an improved outlet screen. The screen would prevent all but the smallest fish from leaving the reservoir. An added benefit would be that the new screen would facilitate operation of the new pressurized irrigation system that water users have been constructing over the past several years to improve water efficiency and leave more water in the reservoir.

*Install a new outlet screen that benefits both the Utah Division of Wildlife and Newton Water Users. *Prevent the loss of large and valuable fish, such as tiger muskie. *Minimize problems for water users that occur when large fish enter the irrigation network *Facilitate the transition of the Newton irrigation network to pressurized irrigation, which will result in decreased water use and more water in the reservoir and the sport fish therein.

There is the possibility of losing the fishery at Newton Reservoir during the construction and installation of a new outlet screen, as this requires drawing the reservoir down to dead pool, which leaves the reservoir at a maximum depth of 7-feet. Such low water volume can result in low oxygen conditions as a result of the warmer water and dense concentrations of fish occupying the remaining water. This is not viewed as a substantial risk as the reservoir has reached dead pool level each year for the past three years and has not resulted in noticeable fish kills.

*Maintaining a viable tiger muskie population in Newton Reservoir is critical to managing the fishery as a "predator management water", where a top predator is used to control overabundant populations of fish. The management concept is part of the Utah DWR Aquatics Section Sportfish Management Plan. *Partnership with the Newton Water Users Association on this project is consistent with the Division of Wildlife's constituency goal of improving communications with wildlife organizations, public officials, private landowners, and government agencies to obtain support for Division programs. *The potential of this project to assist in conserving water is part of a larger statewide goal and plan to conserve, develop, and protect Utah's water - a mission goal of the Division of Water Resources.

Not applicable.

Installation of an improved outlet screen will be one of the final upgrades necessary for Newton Water Users to move to pressurized irrigation. Pressurized irrigation often results in increased water efficiency. Increased efficiency results from reduced losses of water to evaporation and seepage that are normally part of canal networks. In addition, sprinkler irrigation from pressurized systems uses less water than gravity fed systems and also results in a more even distribution of water to irrigated crops. Reduced runoff from pressurized systems also improves water quality, as less runoff results in reduced loads of sediment and nutrients reaching downstream areas. Newton Water Users estimates they were previously losing about 35% of the water in the irrigation canals to seepage and evaporation. This water will now be saved for the reservoir.

Newton Reservoir is a United States Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) Project. The design for the new outlet screen is currently under review with BOR. The BOR has been a financial contributor to Newton Water Users uprgrade to a pressurized irrigation system.

Newton Water Users and DWR have already worked with an engineering firm to create a design for the proposed outlet screen. One round of design has already taken place and been sent to BOR for approval. See attached drawing for the current screen design. The current screen design calls for 4" x 3" galvanized steel mesh, which will prevent most fish from becoming entrained in the irrigation system. The BOR has commented on the current screen design and is requiring some improvements to the strength of the current screen design, so more engineering will be necessary. The old outlet structure has already been removed and replaced with a new outlet works, which has been funded by Newton Water Users. Dredging to remove sediment that had accumulated around the old outlet works has also already been removed. The new screen would be constructed and installed in early fall of 2017; following the irrigation season. Newton Water Users will oversee construction and installation of the new screen.

Newton Water Users will monitor the irrigation system of any entrainment of unwanted fish, though no fish are expected. The DWR will continue to monitor and manage the fishery as per the Northern Region Aquatics Strategic Sampling Plan.

Direct partners on this fish screen: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Newton Water Users Indirect partners which have helped fund the larger project to move the reservoir to pressurized irrigation: United States Bureau of Reclamation Utah Division of Water Resources

Once the new outlet screen is in place, DWR plans to restart it's immensely popular tiger muskie program at Newton Reservoir. The hope is to have the tiger muskie population rebuilt within four- to -five years.

Not applicable.