EA Lepley Creek Livestock Private Pond License Review FWP-CEA-FSH-R4-25-024

A private landowner is applying for a Private Fish Pond License and proposes to stock rainbow trout, brown trout, westslope cutthroat trout, and brook trout in an unnamed private pond on North Branch Knapp Creek. The pond is 0.31 surface acre and is located at 1629 Simms Cascade Rd, Cascade, MT 59421 (T18 R1W S30). The pond is on an intermittent drainage.  The inlet starts from a ground spring approximately 2 miles upstream from the private pond. The outlet is culverted through an impoundment. North Branch Knapp Creek is an intermittent stream that flows approximately 2.5 miles SE until it meets the mainstem of Knapp Creek, another intermittent stream that flows approximately 4.3 miles until it drains into the Missouri River. Flow encounters six reservoirs between the pond outlet on North Branch Knapp Creek and the Missouri River. Rainbow trout, brown trout, westslope cutthroat trout, and brook trout are already present within the Missouri River drainage both upstream and downstream of Cascade. The pond outlet would be screened to prevent escapement of stocked salmonids.

 

There are currently no fish in the pond and there are no known game fish or species of concern present in North Branch Knapp Creek or Knapp Creek. Presence is unlikely given the small intermittent nature of the stream. Risk of escapement is low given the location of the pond in the drainage, and since the outlet is screened. During extreme high water events it is possible water could flow over the dam into North Branch Knapp Creek, and to the Missouri River where all fish species proposed to be stocked are already present in the drainage. In the unlikely event trout are flushed from the reservoir, impacts to any fish present within the drainage are unlikely given the lack of habitat that would allow trout to persist, and the presence of these species already within the Missouri River. Any impacts are expected to be minimal given the lack of suitable habitat in North Branch Knapp Creek and downstream.

The project is sponsored by the private landowner and the license would be active for a period of 10 years from the year of issuance (2025). The license can be renewed for additional 10-year intervals at the end of each term and the license is transferable.

Related Documents: EA Lepley Creek Livestock Private Pond License Review FWP-CEA-FSH-R4-25-024

 

Duration of Public Comment Period: The public comment period begins on the date of publication on the FWP website. Written or e-mailed comments will be accepted until 5:00 p.m., MST, on the last day of public comment, as listed below:

 

Length of Public Comment Period: 15 days

Public Comment Period Begins: May 27, 2025

Public Comment Period Ends: June 10, 2025

 

Comments must be addressed to the FWP contact, as listed below.

 

Where to Mail or Email Comments on the Draft EA:

Name: Daniel Madel, Fisheries technician  

Email: dmadel2@mt.gov

Mailing Address: 4600 Giant Springs Rd

Great Falls, MT 59401