The Rockport Reservoir Fishery provides anglers with opportunities for yellow perch, smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, and brown trout. It is the eleventh most popular reservoir among boaters and anglers in Utah; accommodating 119,676 boater trips annually. Recent angler surveys indicate 124,979 angler days are invested on this reservoir annually. Prior to impoundment in 1954, the basin occupied by Rockport Reservoir was a long subalpine valley bisected by the Weber River. Very little woody vegetation existed in this basin prior to impoundment. Due to seasonal irrigation and power needs Rockport Reservoir experiences annual water level fluctuations of around 30 feet and, due to the lack of woody debris, generally lacks habitat complexity for fish in its littoral zone. Additionally, although some submergent macrophytes (e.g., curly-leaf pondweed) do persist in the reservoir, these plants are primarily located at the inlet mouth and, due to drawdowns, are not widely distributed in the reservoir. The lack of woody debris and aquatic vegetation is thought to result in low survival of juvenile fish and poor recruitment to the sport fishery. Based upon results from the 2011 Utah Statewide Angler Survey, catch and harvest estimates for panfish (e.g., yellow perch) and smallmouth bass at Rockport Reservoir lag far behind those of other comparable reservoirs in northern Utah (USU 2012); suggesting that the abundance of stock-sized fish might be limited. The aforementioned lack of cover and spawning habitat in the littoral zone is suspected as the major limiting factor to recruitment. Without enhancement of in-reservoir habitat, it is unlikely that angler catch and harvest rates will reach the targeted rates outlined in the UDWR Draft 2010 Aquatic Section Strategic Plan.

Place artificial structures portions of the deep, hypolimnetic areas of Rockport Reservoir to allow young yellow perch an enhanced opportunity for survival from predation.

Since the proposed habitats are all planned for deep water, the proposed project would not create navigation hazards for boaters and dam operation hazards for water distributors. With this in mind, the proposed project will include careful planning and communication with all stakeholders including the Bureau of Reclamation, Weber Basin Water, U.S Army Corps of Engineers, and anglers.

The proposed project is consistent with several goals of the Division of Wildlife Resources. The project will: improve watershed habitat, improve fishing opportunities, and improve communications with angler organizations, public officials,and government agencies to obtain support for division programs. Utah Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy Lentic water, such as that found at Rockport Reservoir, is considered a key habitat for fish and wildlife. National Fish Habitat Partnership Inspired by our natural heritage and challenged by continuing habitat loss, an unprecedented coalition forged the first National Fish Habitat Action Plan in 2006. Made up of anglers, conservation groups, scientists, tribal governments, state, territorial, and federal agencies, and industry leaders, they saw the need to foster voluntary, non-regulatory, science-based action to protect, restore, and enhance America's aquatic systems. The Action Plan served as the cornerstone for the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP). Objective 1. Achieve measurable habitat conservation results through strategic actions of Fish Habitat Partnerships that improve ecological condition, restore natural processes, or prevent the decline of intact and healthy systems leading to better fish habitat conditions and increased fishing opportunities. American Fisheries Society Policy Statement #5: Cumulative effects of small modifications to habitat. Encourage expanded research on habitat improvement and mitigation, focusing on offsetting potential habitat loss and ecosystem restoration.

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Through a MOU that DWR and Bureau of Reclamation have entered into, the BOR will write a categorical exclusion from a NEPA for any aquatic habitat projects. Actual treatment area are wholly underwater.

Place artificial habitat structures in deep water areas of Rockport reservoir generally in close proximity to spawning areas of yellow perch. The goal is to place structures in 'patches' of approximately 0.1-0.25 acre areas. Aquatics biologists will be consulted to target the most advantageous areas for the structures.

Area will be mapped with down scan and side scan sonar to document habitation and size of treated area. If water clarity permits, underwater video will be taken to show use of these areas and to corroborate findings of sonar. Trend netting will continue at Rockport to document changes in fish assemblage.

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Rockport will likely continue to be managed as a basic yield fishery. Yellow perch will continue to be a highly sought after species. Habitat augmentation may continue to play an important part in that management scenario.

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07/02/2018

05/09/2019

2019

This project was planned to begin in mid-summer 2018, but structure placement was contingent upon finalizing an MOU with BOR and Weber Basin. That process took much longer than anticipated and was finally completed in December 2018. Structure placement was then planned for shortly after ice-out. Area was mapped in early fall 2018 in anticipation of the MOU being completed. Commercial as well as in-house constructed habitat elements were utilized in this project. Placement commenced on the morning of May 8, 2019 and continued throughout the day. A great crew facilitated construction and deployment of structures. Several media outlets were in attendance. About 250 structures were placed in total. Location as follows: They have been placed in clusters within the polygon contained within the corners identified by the following coordinates (Clockwise beginning at the northwest corner): N 40 deg. 46.647' W 111 deg. 24.171' N 40 deg. 46.663' W 111 deg. 24.059' N 40 deg. 46.509' W 111 deg. 24.152' N 40 deg. 46.531' W 111 deg. 23.970' WGS 84 map datum

Waiting for BOR and WBWCD; in the interim, preparatory mapping was completed. Cooperation with BOR and WBWCD was secured and structures were ordered. Mossback, Pond King and Fishiding structures we all ordered. In addition to the commercially-available structures, several in-house manufactured structures were also deployed. Many thanks to Rocky Mountain Anglers for providing volunteers for this effort.

Monitor effectiveness of structures. Deploy temperature/ dissolved oxygen dataloggers in treatment area.