Grand Teton National Park was established to protect the area’s native plant and animal life and its spectacular scenic values, as characterized by the geologic features of the Teton Range and Jackson Hole. The parks Strategic Plan highlights the significance of the Snake River as habitat for cutthroat trout and as a recreational resource, along with the abundant mammal, plant and bird species that reside in the park. The parks 1997 Snake River Management Plan emphasizes the desire to maintain the river’s natural character in order to protect wildlife and scenic values.

The Jackson Hole One Fly Foundation – National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Conservation Partnership Program is providing funding for this program to help ensure the survival of cutthroat trout in Two Oceans Lake. Annually, since 1965, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WYG&F) stock the lake with 30,000 cutthroat trout. Fisheries biologists have identified a culvert that is a barrier to native fish migration. If this culvert were replaced or modified to allow upstream migration of fish, the need for stocking of Two Ocean Lake would be eliminated, and natural processes could be restored. This project proposes to replace the existing culvert. Once this is complete the WYG&F will discontinue stocking of Two Ocean Lake, allowing natural migration to maintain cutthroat trout populations.

Project Status:

Work was completed on the Two Ocean Lake culvert replacement on April 22, 2004. Two rock weirs were installed below the existing culvert to improve fish passage. Also streambanks were revegetated with native willows.