About

Horner’s Corner project

TU Chapter #103 next stream enhancement project will be on the Big Truckee in the Loop/Horner’s Corner stretch of the river. The Chapter’s Board and local TU staff have been working with California Division of Fish and Wildlife and Rick Poore of Streamwise to develop a design and plan for this exciting project. Rick has designed and constructed numerous stream enhancements throughout the west.

 The project area is located in the stretch of the river just west of the I 80 Hirschdale exit in the area commonly known as The Loop or Horner’s Corner. This will be the Chapter’s first enhancement project on the Big Truckee. The area was selected because of its lack of habitat diversity, high angling pressure and ease of access for construction equipment. Additionally, the property is owned by the California Division of Fish and Wildlife which simplifies the permitting process.

The enhancement project will include the placement of rock W and J weirs and stream boulders. This will improve holding water and provide physical scour of the river with resulting improvement of depth and habitat. The goal of the project is to improve fish habitat resulting in improved angling opportunities in this stretch of the river.

Habitat for trout is enhanced by maximizing usable holding, feeding and spawning areas. Fish hold in the multiple feeding lanes created by the two thalweg locations and pools. Various age classes of trout also hold in the deep glide created upstream of the structure and against both banks due to the increased depth and reduced velocity of flows in the near-bank region. Spawning habitat is created in the tail-out of the pools due to upwelling currents and a sorting of gravel bed material sizes preferred by trout.