‘Persistent drought’ impacting several southeast Idaho fisheries – KTVB

Report on the Impact of Drought on Southeast Idaho Fisheries and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

Persistent drought conditions in Southeast Idaho have led to critically low water levels in local reservoirs and rivers, severely impacting rainbow trout populations. This situation directly challenges the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to water, climate, and biodiversity. This report outlines the environmental stressors, the ecological consequences, and the mitigation strategies being implemented by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG), framing them within the context of SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Environmental Stressors and Water Scarcity: A Challenge to SDG 6 and SDG 13

The decline in local fisheries is a direct result of environmental factors exacerbated by climate change, highlighting vulnerabilities in water resource management and the urgent need for climate action as outlined in SDG 13. The primary causes threaten the sustainability of water-related ecosystems, a key target of SDG 6.

Contributing Factors to Water Depletion

• Insufficient Snowpack: While high-elevation snowpack was substantial, warm valley temperatures limited lower-elevation snow accumulation.
• Prolonged Drought: A lack of spring and summer precipitation, combined with sustained high temperatures, accelerated water loss.
• Critical Reservoir Levels: Reservoir levels dropped sharply across the region. American Falls Reservoir, a critical habitat, was drawn down to 3% of its capacity.
• Reduced River Flows: To facilitate repair work at Minidoka Dam, flows in the Snake River were reduced to approximately 2% of their peak, further limiting aquatic habitat.

Ecological Impact on Aquatic Life: A Setback for SDG 14 and SDG 15

The environmental stressors have created a perilous situation for rainbow trout, directly impacting regional biodiversity and the health of freshwater ecosystems. This undermines progress toward SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land), which call for the protection and restoration of aquatic habitats and the prevention of biodiversity loss.

Consequences for Trout Populations

1. Population Decline: Anglers are advised to expect fewer and smaller rainbow trout in American Falls Reservoir, Walcott Reservoir, and sections of the Snake River.
2. Habitat Degradation: The combination of low water levels, rising water temperatures, and decreased dissolved oxygen forces trout to seek refuge in less-than-ideal conditions, reducing their chances of survival.
3. Overwintering Challenges: Reduced winter discharge further constricts available habitat during the most critical survival period for trout.

Mitigation Strategies and Ecosystem Restoration Efforts

In response to the crisis, the IDFG has initiated a series of measures aimed at rebuilding trout populations and enhancing the resilience of these freshwater ecosystems. These actions represent a direct effort to meet the targets of SDG 14 and SDG 15 by actively managing and restoring aquatic life.

IDFG Action Plan

• Population Replenishment:
  • IDFG will stock American Falls Reservoir with approximately 250,000 fingerlings and 42,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout.
  • Idaho Power will contribute an additional 9,000 catchable trout to support the restoration effort.
• Scientific Research and Monitoring:
  • Hundreds of hatchery rainbow trout are being tagged to monitor movement, survival rates, and emigration between reservoirs.
  • Electrofishing surveys are planned for the Snake River to assess the current population status and tag additional fish for data collection.

Future Outlook

The long-term recovery of the fisheries in Southeast Idaho is contingent upon improved water availability and environmental conditions over the coming months. This situation underscores the critical importance of sustainable water management (SDG 6) and building resilience to climate-related hazards (SDG 13) to protect vital freshwater ecosystems (SDG 14, SDG 15).

1. SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  The article’s central theme is water scarcity and its impact on aquatic ecosystems. It explicitly mentions “persistent drought,” low reservoir levels, and reduced water flows, which directly relate to the availability and sustainable management of freshwater resources.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The underlying causes of the water shortage described in the article—”persistent drought,” “warm valley temperatures,” “little precipitation,” and “prolonged heat”—are all climate-related phenomena. The response by Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) represents an adaptation strategy to the impacts of these climate-related hazards on local ecosystems.

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  The article focuses on the health of a freshwater aquatic species, the rainbow trout. It details the adverse impacts of environmental stressors on their population (“fewer and smaller trout”) and the science-based management actions being taken to protect and restore these fish stocks.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  This goal includes the protection and restoration of inland freshwater ecosystems. The article is a clear case study of the degradation of such an ecosystem (the Snake River and its reservoirs) due to environmental pressures and the urgent actions being taken to halt the loss of its biodiversity (the trout population).

2. Specific Targets Identified

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity. The article highlights severe water stress, noting that the “American Falls Reservoir was drawn down to 3% capacity,” demonstrating the challenge of ensuring sustainable withdrawals during a drought.
   • Target 6.6: By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems. The entire article discusses the degradation of a water-related ecosystem (reservoirs and rivers) and the specific actions IDFG is taking to “rebuild trout populations,” which is a direct effort at restoration.

2. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. The drought is a climate-related hazard. The actions taken by IDFG, such as stocking fish and conducting research, are measures to build the fishery’s resilience and adapt to the consequences of the drought.

3. SDG 14: Life Below Water

   • Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts… and take action for their restoration. While focused on freshwater, the principle applies. The article describes how low water levels, rising temperatures, and declining dissolved oxygen have caused adverse impacts, and IDFG is taking action to “rebuild trout populations,” which constitutes restoration.
   • Target 14.4: By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting… and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks. The article details several science-based management actions, including stocking specific numbers of trout, tagging and researching fish to understand movement, and conducting electrofishing surveys to “evaluate population status,” all with the aim of restoring the trout fishery.

4. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of… inland freshwater ecosystems and their services. The article focuses on the restoration of the American Falls Reservoir and Snake River fisheries, which are inland freshwater ecosystems, after they were strained by drought.
   • Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity… The decline in trout populations due to low water levels, high temperatures, and reduced oxygen is a direct result of habitat degradation. IDFG’s response, including stocking 250,000 fingerlings and thousands of catchable-sized trout, is an urgent action to halt this loss.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied

1. Under SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)

   • Implied Indicator for Target 6.4: Level of water stress. The article provides a direct measurement of this by stating that the “American Falls Reservoir was drawn down to 3% capacity.”
   • Implied Indicator for Target 6.6: Change in the extent and condition of water-related ecosystems. The article describes the negative change in the ecosystem’s condition through “rising temperatures, and a decline in dissolved oxygen,” which impacts trout survival.

2. Under SDG 14 (Life Below Water)

   • Implied Indicator for Target 14.2: Health of the aquatic ecosystem. This is measured by the condition of its key species. The article indicates a decline in health by noting that anglers should expect “fewer and smaller trout.”
   • Implied Indicator for Target 14.4: Status of fish stocks. The article mentions that IDFG will conduct surveys to “evaluate population status,” which is a direct measurement used to determine if fish stocks are at sustainable levels. The stocking of nearly 300,000 fish is an intervention based on the assessment that stocks are below a sustainable level.

3. Under SDG 15 (Life on Land)

   • Implied Indicator for Target 15.5: Status of biodiversity. The article implies a decline in local biodiversity through the stress placed on trout populations. The efforts to “rebuild trout populations” can be measured by tracking the number and size of fish over time.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ktvb.com