Macro Invertebrate Study

 ​On Saturday October 14th a number of volunteers for the Pikes Peak Chapter of Trout Unlimited performed the annual Macro invertebrate study of both Bear and Severy Creeks which drain off of Pikes Peak.

Each of these streams contain populations of very special Cutthroat Trout.
Severy Creek contains a population of Cutthroat native to the Gunnison area. This population contains a very unique haploid in its Mitochondrial DNA that is not found in any other population.

Of course Bear Creek contains the only reproducing population of Greenback Cutthroat Trout still in existence.  Individuals from this population have been moved to hatcheries in an attempt to reproduce them and populate other streams. Currently four streams have had these trout introduced to them after long preparations. None of these new populations as yet have shown conclusive signs of reproducing.

This Macro invertebrate study is critical to determine the health of the stream and has been performed by PPCTU since 2003. As a result of the work of PPCTU on these two streams, both have been designated “High Quality” water under the Clean Water Act.

​Watch the video below.

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