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Controversy continues over adding nutrients to Dworshak Reservoir

Dworshak Reservoir backs up on the the North Fork of the Clearwater River behind Dworshak Dam near Orofino. The 55-mile-long reservoir has been overpopulated with small kokanee for two years. Fish managers are considering adding nutrients to the water to boost the food chain and help kokanee grow bigger. Meanwhile, the abudance of small kokanee seems to be agreeing with bass — and bass anglers. (Associated Press photos / The Spokesman-Review)
By Rich Landers richl@spokesman.com(509) 459-5508
Dworshak Reservoir backs up on the the North Fork of the Clearwater River behind Dworshak Dam near Orofino. The 55-mile-long reservoir has been overpopulated with small kokanee for two years. Fish managers are considering adding nutrients to the water to boost the food chain and help kokanee grow bigger. Meanwhile, the abudance of small kokanee seems to be agreeing with bass — and bass anglers. (Associated Press photos / The Spokesman-Review)
Dworshak Reservoir backs up on the the North Fork of the Clearwater River behind Dworshak Dam near Orofino. The 55-mile-long reservoir has been overpopulated with small kokanee for two years. Fish managers are considering adding nutrients to the water to boost the food chain and help kokanee grow bigger. Meanwhile, the abudance of small kokanee seems to be agreeing with bass — and bass anglers. (Associated Press photos / The Spokesman-Review)

FISHERIES — In an effort to improve the kokanee fishery in Dworshak Reservoir,  the U.S. Corps of Engineers and Idaho Fish and Game are experiementing with “fertilizing” the waters.

This is a popular idea with some people, but not by others, including those who’ve filed a lawsuit claiming the nutrient supplementing has caused algae blooms.

The Columbia Basin Bulletin had an interesting dialogue on the issue. Click here to see two sides to a report the CBC had the previous week.

* This story was originally published as a post from the blog "Outdoors Blog." Read all stories from this blog