The base map is provided by OpenTopoMap’s volunteer servers.
Glaciation
Factors Favorable for Fairy Shrimp
Fish-stocking Zooicide
Bivouac Lake
Atlantic Sunny Bench Pond
Below “Windy Lake” Pond
“Upper Silas Lake” Southwest Pond
“Fremont Lake” Moraine Pond
Buttress Pond
Little Sandy Overlook Pond
“Coon Lake” South Pond #1
“Coon Lake” South Pond #2
“Coon Lake” South Pond #3
Cliff Edge Pond
“Coon Lake” South Pond #4
“Coon Lake” South Pond #5
Big Stough East Pond
Medina Mountain Ponds
Silas Headwall Lake
Silas Cornice Chute Lake
Cinquefoil Pond
Stough Below the Moraine Pond
Boulder Bog Pond
Deep Cirque Overlook Pond
Shoal Lake Northwest Pond
Hill 10,646 East Pond
Hill 10,646 South Pond
East Side Cirque Pond
Hidden Snowbank Pond
Jim Creek Saddle Pond
Jim Creek First Pond
Spot 10,672 Pond
Peak 11,246 South Pond
Peak 11,107 Northeast Pond
Wind River Peak Ponds
Little Stough West Pond
Stough Off Channel Pond
What Can We Learn from the Ponds in the Wind River Mountains?
The Wind River Mountains are the highest (highest peak, most glaciers) and largest mountain range in Wyoming, although the Laramie Mountains are longer (visual estimates of 1:500,000-scale map of state). It is 170 km (105 miles) long from the US 26 crossing of the continental divide at Togwotee Pass to the Wyoming 28 crossing of the divide at South Pass. It is 60 km (37 miles) wide at its mid-section from the lower end of “Fremont Lake” at the edge of the Green River Basin to the upper end of Bull Lake at the edge of the Wind River Basin. At its north end, it gives way to the Gros Ventre Mountains to the west and the Absaroka Mountains to the north. At the south end, the Wind River Mountains become more and more subdued until they are lost in the low hills and ridges of the South Pass area and the Antelope Hills.
The elevation range of the Wind River Mountains is about 2,000 m (6,560′). Gannet Peak has an elevation 4,207 m (13,804′) and there are several other peaks above 4,000 m (13,120′), such as Wind River Peak 68 km (42 miles) to the southeast. Elevations along the base of the range are variable. “Fremont Lake” at the base of the mountains on the west side is 2,260 m (7,410′) while “Bull Lake” on the east side is 1,770 m (5,810′). 55 km (34 miles) to the southeast of “Bull Lake”, the mouth of Sinks Canyon is at 2,260 m (7,410′). South of “Fremont Lake” on the west side, “Boulder Lake” is at an elevation of 2,222 m (7,290′) and the mouth of Big Sandy River is at 2,304 m (7,560′). On the northeastern side of the range, the slope up to the divide is more or less continuous. On the southwestern side of the divide, however, there is commonly a sharp rise from the Green River Basin, then a plateau-like area up to 12 km (7.5 miles) wide (e.g., Pine Mountain to “Lower Jean Lake”) between the elevations of 3,000 m (9,840′) and 3,500 m (11,480′), and finally another rise to the highest peaks and ridges. The plateau-like area holds lots of lakes and ponds.
Mean Annual Precipitation according to the Wyoming Climate Atlas by the Water Resources Data System and State Climate Office at http://www.wrds.uwyo.edu/sco/climateatlas/precipitation.html, Parameter-Elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model, PRISM, with 1971-2000 data at very widely spaced weather stations (I have eyeballed the values from a very small scale map with 11 precipitation bins marked with indistinct colors and further obscured by a shaded relief base map):
31″-40″ (79-102 cm) up to maybe 51″-60″ (130-152 cm) on crest
Much of the Wind River Mountains is above timberline where the vegetation is dominantly alpine tundra. With decreasing elevation, trees become abundant, starting with white pine krummholz and proceeding downward through full-size white pine, fir, spruce, douglas fir, and lodgepole pine. Lush meadows are common. Sagebrush is abundant in the foothills.
The Wind River Mountains are a paradise of public lands for hikers. The car-tethered masses are drawn to the scenic wonders of Teton and Yellowstone National Parks farther to the northwest. There are no roads through the Wind River Mountains south of Union Pass, near the northern end. The only choices are to walk or ride a horse. The Bridger-Teton National Forest manages the mountains to the southwest of the continental divide and the Shoshone National Forest manages the mountains to the northeast. Probably 75% (EIGWUU) of the National Forest lands in the mountains are Wilderness Areas: the Bridger Wilderness on the Bridger-Teton and the Fitzpatrick and Popo Agie wildernesses on the Shoshone. Other than a few parcels of private land along the upper Green River north of Pinedale, there are no private in-holdings.
The Wind River Indian Reservation occupies a minor proportion of the Wind River Mountains. The reservation is approximately a rectangle 110 km (66 miles) across west-east and 85 km (51 miles) north-south. The truncated southwestern corner of this rectangle covers the Wind River Mountains northeast of the continental divide between the Fitzpatrick and Popo Agie wildernesses. The truncated reservation boundary along the continental divide is 16 km (10 miles) long and the reservation expands northeastward from there.
Glaciation
Glaciers have played a major role in creating the abundance of potential fairy shrimp habitat in the Wind River Mountains. The landscape is a wonderland of heart-stopping cliffs, compelling cirques, deep u-shaped valleys where the shadows play, polished knobs of bedrock, daunting piles of boulders, and incredible vistas. Unlike in the Alps though, the glaciers in the Winds did not create the arretes and horns of the most advanced stage of mountain glaciation. Instead, many summits are broad areas with shallow to moderate slopes, like tilted aircraft carriers. Except for the tundra vegetation and the rock fields, some ridges are like prairies – until you get to the edges. This makes it possible to reach many peaks without having climbing skills. Cirques, the flat floors of the u-shaped valleys, benches on the canyon walls left by successive glacial advances, glacial gouges across the hills between the major canyons, and the plateau-like area southwest of the continental divide are all important sites for ponds.
Small glaciers are still there (as of 1980s). Glaciers don’t stand still, though, and the timing of advances and retreats affects the availability of fairy shrimp habitat. The last glacial advance of the last glacial period is marked by mounds of dirt with angular boulders that are referred to as Pinedale moraines. The term “Pinedale” is from the town at the northwestern edge of the Wind River Mountains although it is now used worldwide. In the Pinedale type area at “Fremont Lake”, the terminal moraine where the bulldozing front of the glacier stopped has been dated as 24,000 years old using cosmogenic beryllium. The glacier remained close to this extent until 18,000 years ago (as cited in Young and others, 2011; see the References page). Similar moraine ages have been reported for the Yellowstone ice cap, in the mountains of Colorado and in the Cascades and Sierra Nevada (as cited in Young and others, 2011).
Rapid glacial retreat occurred in the Wind River Mountains, the Tetons, and Yellowstone between 16,000 and 13,000 years ago (as cited in Young and others, 2011) and marks the transition to the current interglacial period. This warming was interrupted by the Little Ice Age with cooling temperatures and glacial advances from about 1200 to 1850 A.D. (Lowell, 2000). In the Wind River Mountains, the Little Ice Age advance is marked by the highest elevation moraines. Snowbanks that could become ponds occur behind some of these moraines. Little Ice Age advances impeded colonization by fairy shrimp before about 200 years ago by piling up snow and ice at locations where there are now ponds. Glaciers have been generally retreating again globally since 1850 but the Dinwoody and Gannett glaciers in the central Wind River Mountains advanced again in the early 1900s. They had occupied their earlier Little Ice Age positions by 1930 (as cited in Pochop and others, 1989). This suggests that the highest ponds only became ponds more recently than 1930.
Small pond on remnant of glacier north of Wind River Peak. The gray moraine holding the pond may be the result of a Little Ice Age advance. By analogy with the Dinwoody and Gannet glaciers, the retreat of the ice from the moraine and the formation of the pond may have occurred since about 1930.
Although not necessarily representative of all Wind River Mountain glaciers, the historical movements of the Dinwoody and Gannett glaciers have been documented in Masters of Science theses by Meier (1951) and Varuska (1989). Varuska (1989) showed that the glaciers had retreated significantly from the positions mapped by Meier (1951) and compared 1958, 1966, 1980, and 1983 photographs to document changes in position, depth, and snow cover (as cited in Pochop and others, 1989). Similarly, Thompson and Love (1988) described the retreat of Knifepoint glacier, to the south of Dinwoody and Gannett, from 1963 to 1988 (as cited in Pochop and others, 1989). Charlie Love and colleagues at Central Wyoming College continued to document the retreat of Wind River Mountain glaciers in the 2000s but I have not found any publications of their work. The recent trend of warming temperature and decreasing ice cover at least since 1930 would seem to be favorable for fairy shrimp colonization as higher ponds become warmer and new ponds form behind Little Ice Age moraines. Although a warming climate could be good for fairy shrimp, it is bad for pikas.
There is also the possibility of negative impacts due to warming if that allows invasion by frogs, salamanders, or other predators at lower elevations. There is a negative correlation between frogs and fairy shrimp in the east-central Sierra Nevada although fairy shrimp co-exist with northern leopard frogs (Rana pipiens) in the Antelope Hills (e.g., “Coyote Lake”). Frogs have been reported at elevations as high as 2,700 m (8,860′) in Wyoming and 3,355 m (11,010′) in Colorado (Smith and Keinath, 2007, p. 7). The apparently different elevation ranges may be due to non-representative observations or to latitudinal variations in temperature. Columbia spotted frogs live in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and in the foothills of the upper Wind River valley but have apparently not been found in the Wind River Mountains south of Union Pass (large-scale map figure of Patla and Keinath, 2005, p. 19).
Gooseneck Glacier is at center with Gooseneck Pinnacle to its left and the northern part of Dinwoody Glacier below Glacier Pass farther to the left. The snowbank at the top of the ridge above center obscures the top of Gannett Peak. The Gooseneck and Dinwoody Glaciers met in the valley floor 16,000 years ago. The bare ice on the Dinwoody Glacier on this August day indicates that retreat from the Little Ice Age and pre-1930 advances is continuing. At some point in the future, ponds may form where the glaciers are now and provide habitat for fairy shrimp.
Factors Favorable for Fairy Shrimp
The Wind River Mountains are well suited for fairy shrimp. They receive lots of snow and have lots of ponds. Average annual precipitation prior to 1986 was greater than 40 inches (102 cm), as water, according to Pochop and others (1989).
Although The National Map doesn’t show ponds smaller than about 25 m (80′) across, it does show that there are a great many larger than that. In the plateau-like topography between Lake Creek and Pine Creek in National Grid 12T WN 9875 (the 1-km square with southwestern corner at 598,000 Easting, 4,775,000 Northing), there are 17 ponds. In the cirque environment at the head of Silas Canyon in National Grid 12T XN 6522 (the 1-km square with southwestern corner at 665,000 Easting, 4,722,000 Northing), there are 3 relatively large lakes. I selected these grid squares as common examples but they are not representative. There are certainly some 1-km squares with no mapped ponds. WGF counted 2,000 water bodies just in the Bridger Wilderness.
Other characteristics that are favorable for fairy shrimp are the frigid winters and cool average temperatures. Fairy shrimp have been found in Antarctica (Hawes and others, 2008), Thule, Greenland, and the northernmost islands of the Canadian arctic (Lindholm and others, 2016). The cool high-elevation climate of the Wind River Mountains likely discourages amphibian predators like frogs and salamanders and may slow down, but not stop, invertebrate predators such as backswimmers and amphipods. I observed amphipods in ponds as high as 3,380 m (11,090′) (Silas Cornice Chute Lake) and backswimmers as high as 3,350 m (10,990′) (Deep Cirque Overlook Pond).
The steep topography of the Wind River Mountains has excluded native fish from the higher elevation water bodies. Unfortunately for fairy shrimp, this favorable factor has been negated by the human stocking of fish.
Fairy shrimp don’t just need ponds, they also need a way to get there. As it happens, the Wind River Mountains and central Wyoming in general are along the Central Flyway used by birds migrating from Mexico and Central America to the Canadian arctic. The abundance of water birds at “Boysen Reservoir” on the Wind River east of the Wind River Mountains is testament to the avian popularity of this part of the Flyway. However, the Wind River Mountains don’t seem to have many birds now. Seeing ducks once, at “Grave Lake”, was so unusual I remembered it. My experience may not be representative though.
Fish-stocking Zooicide
Most of the alpine ponds in the Wind River Mountains are above waterfalls or steep rapids that fish cannot climb. However, most people would rather see lakes full of fish than lakes full of fairy shrimp or other invertebrates. Whatever the original number of fairy shrimp populations in the Wind River Mountains, they were decimated by Finis Mitchell and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGF). No, decimated is too weak a term – it implies a loss of 10% (according to my New Webster’s Dictionary). Rather, fairy shrimp populations were probably reduced by 90% or more (EIGWUU). Let’s call that zooicide.
Finis Mitchell enjoyed fishing. He also loved hiking and riding and climbing the peaks of the Wind River Mountains. He started a fishing camp at “Mud Lake” on Big Sandy Creek in 1930. By then, he already knew most of the high elevation lakes lacked fish. For the benefit of his customers, other anglers in Wyoming and maybe, in his mind, for the benefit of all humanity, he started the arduous task of stocking lakes by horseback. By his own account, Mr. Mitchell stocked 314 lakes with 2.5 million fingerlings in the 1930s (from the story at www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/finis-mitchell-mountaineer; this account is consistent with what I remembered from reading a book about Finis Mitchell in the 1980s).
Finis Mitchell’s and WGF’s subsequent efforts were hugely successful. The stocked trout populations thrived. Even as late as the 1980s, employees of the Wyoming Game and FISH Department in Lander recounted anecdotes of the huge sizes of trout caught within a few years of initial stocking. They attributed the monstrous sizes to the abundance of food in the form of invertebrate zooplankton. Mr. Mitchell ultimately received numerous awards for his work popularizing the Wind River Mountains and its newly fabulous fishing. At some point, Wyoming legislators noticed and provided money for WGF to stock even more lakes.
Helicopters have been used since the 1970s for fish-stocking in the mountains of Wyoming. This is in spite of the fact that most of the alpine terrain in the Wind River Mountains has been designated as Wilderness by Congress. Although helicopters aren’t generally allowed in Wilderness Areas, Congress avoided angering states by including the following language in the Wilderness Act of 1964: “Nothing in this Act shall be construed as affecting the jurisdiction or responsibilities of the several States with respect to wildlife and fish in the national forests”. So fish-stocking with helicopters is okay. Such internal contradictions are a common feature of U.S. legislation. Congress could not even agree on the purpose of the act so it punted its responsibility and let the land management agencies take the crossfire from the public: “wilderness areas shall be devoted to the public purposes of recreational, scenic, scientific, educational, conservation, and historical use.” Although preserving native species might be included in the category “conservation”, it obviously doesn’t stand a chance against recreational and historical fishing.
Many of the Wind River Mountains’ alpine lakes are on the Wind River Indian Reservation. As the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribes also prefer fishing to admiring native aquatic species, invertebrate zooplankton populations fared no better there. WGF’s offer to stock the Reservation’s alpine lakes by helicopter was too good to pass up. The state got more opportunities for non-tribal members to kill fish and the tribes got fishing license and outfitter fees as well as new unsustainable fish populations for tribal members to exploit. The zooicide left no part of the Wind River Mountains untouched.
The extirpation of fairy shrimp populations went beyond the stocked lakes. If one lake in a basin with several lakes above the fish-blocking topography were stocked, the fish would move to adjacent lakes through the connecting streams. Moreover, even if the fish population died out due to the unsuitability of the habitat, it may have wiped out the larger zooplankton species during its short lifetime.
Fairy shrimp could only have survived in ponds that are too cold, or too small, or both to support trout, that are not connected by streams to stocked lakes, and that have escaped the fish-stocking frenzy. Of the “over 2,000 glacial carved lakes, ponds, and potholes” in the Bridger Wilderness, “[o]ver 500 are known to support fish” (Wyoming Game and Fish Department, 2013, Bridger Wilderness, A Guide to the Fishing Lakes). The Fitzpatrick and Popo Agie wildernesses have additional ponds, though probably less than 2,000 (EIGWUU). The WGF listed fish in ponds as small as 2 acres (0.8 hectares) (e.g., Lost Lake, WGF name, in the Boulder Creek drainage). A 2-acre square is 295 feet (90 m) on a side. This illustrates the current pervasiveness of fish. Trout in such small ponds must have migrated from connected lakes that were stocked. Of the 1,500 “lakes, ponds, and potholes” not known to support fish, many are probably not potential fairy shrimp habitat for the following reasons.
- Some have likely lost fairy shrimp due to fish populations that died off before being inventoried.
- Some have likely not been inventoried but still have fish.
- Some have likely been stocked by the public or WGF since 2013.
- Some may have been overgrown by vegetation since the pre-2013 inventories (e.g., Upper “Ice Lakes” Overgrown Pond; see Wind River Peak Ponds).
- Some are likely on streams with routine or seasonal flows sufficient to exclude stable fairy shrimp populations.
That still leaves a lot of potential fairy shrimp habitat. The success rate for colonization by fairy shrimp before fish-stocking was certainly less than 1. Some potential habitat remained naturally unoccupied. Of the mostly small ponds I took notes on, about 25% had fairy shrimp. That is too optimistic because I didn’t take notes on some ponds where I didn’t see fairy shrimp but it is too pessimistic because I likely missed seeing fairy shrimp where some populations were present but were not abundant or didn’t hatch the year I visited. I never waded into deeper water for a more thorough look. If those errors cancel out and there are actually 1,200 ponds in the Bridger Wilderness that could support fairy shrimp (1,500 ponds minus 300 to allow for inaccurate fish count), maybe there are still about 300 ponds with fairy shrimp. Add 150 ponds (EIGWUU) from areas outside the Bridger Wilderness and there may be about 450 ponds with fairy shrimp still remaining in the Wind River Mountains. How many there were before the zooicide will never be known.
Dispersal of fairy shrimp eggs may also have been impacted by fish stocking. The bird species which previously brought fairy shrimp eggs to the high mountain lakes might avoid the Wind River Mountains now. Fish have eaten almost all the macroscopic food in the lakes they inhabit. That’s why alpine lakes with fish look so barren. In my experience, water fowl are rare at Wind River Mountain lakes. Eggs of cold-tolerant fairy shrimp species that could survive in the Wind River Mountains (e.g., Branchinecta paludosa and Branchinecta coloradensis) are readily available in the nearby Antelope Hills and in the more distant Snowy Range. What would it take to get them into the Winds? Even in the unlikely event that some unsustainable fish populations are allowed to die off and some number of ponds or lakes become new potential habitat, it is not clear that fairy shrimp colonization would occur naturally.
The macrozooplankton zooicide was not a 1-time event; it is a continuous operation. While genocide is a time-limited event of mass murder, I don’t know of a word for the process of preventing any surviving or new generations of an ethnic group from ever returning to its homeland. I’ll call the animal equivalent of that zooicide, too. WGF provides regular updates of the zooicide. A 2019 newsletter for the Lander office has “Wind River Helicopter Stocking” on page 1. 73,365 golden, cutthroat, rainbow, brook, and tiger trout were dropped in 28 lakes in National Forest Wilderness Areas and 12 lakes in the Wind River Indian Reservation (wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/PDF/Fishing/LR_ANGLERNEWS_2019.pdf). The article noted that “[m]ost wilderness lakes support wild, naturally reproducing fish populations” but that the stocked lakes do not and must be stocked every 2-4 years. There are evidently no lakes big enough to support trout for even 2 years that have not been stocked.
WGF relishes the zooicide and tries hard to impress the public with the details. It has created a website where the public can view a tally of recent stocking efforts with lake name, fingerling number, size, and species. Fish stocking reports are at https://wgfapps.wyo.gov/FishStock/FishStock, which is a form with drop-down menus. You can get reports by lake, species, or county. It also has a map page which allows web users to zoom in to an area of interest and to click on a lake to find out which species of fish are present. For the lake guide, go to https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Fishing-and-Boating/Places-to-Fish-in-Wyoming/ and click on the link to the “Interactive Wyoming Fishing Guide”. If you want to find fairy shrimp, you could use that page to identify lakes to avoid.
In spite of the ongoing zooicide, it seems that it is still not good enough for anglers in Wyoming, who on average catch 2.5 fish per day over 3.1 million estimated angler days (Wyoming Game and Fish Department, 2021 Annual Report, p. A-30). “Tiger trout were stocked in Upper Silas Lake in 2014, 2016, and 2018 to improve a stunted brook trout population. The goal of stocking tiger trout in Upper Silas Lake is to reduce the number” of brook trout by predation and thereby increase the sizes of the survivors “as well as create a tiger trout fishery.” (“Tiger Trout in the Wind River Mountains”, June 26, 2020 news release by the Lander Regional Office; https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Regional-Offices/Lander-Region/Lander-Region-News/Tiger-trout-in-the-Wind-River-Mountains) The productivity of some high mountain lakes is so low that brook trout don’t have enough to eat. Nonetheless, they keep reproducing. Consequently, some lakes have lots of small brook trout that are eschewed by anglers.
Idaho has the same problem. “Brook trout also can become so abundant that the size of fish in the population becomes stunted and unappealing to anglers. . . . One new tool that biologists with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game have been investigating is stocking alpine lakes with super-male brook trout,” which have 2 Y chromosomes and consequently produce only male offspring (https://idfg.idaho.gov/blog/2021/08/can-super-male-brook-trout-improve-angling-alpine-lakes). Without females, the brook trout populations decline. Individual fish have more to eat and get bigger. Of course, if the population gets dangerously low, it wouldl be restocked with fish raised at State expense.
This government perpetuation of failed fish ecosystems for frivolous recreational purposes makes the Endangered Species Act seem almost rational. It’s not like remote alpine lakes are the only possible fishing locations in Wyoming. Wyoming has several state parks with reservoirs that are stocked with fish and many other non-alpine lakes. Of course, there are also countless streams and rivers with fish.
Bivouac Lake (Lander Ranger District, Shoshone National Forest; Popo Agie Wilderness)
___This map is a screenshot of The National Map (Go to The National Map). The U.S. Geological Survey generally does not copyright or charge for its data or reports (unless printed). A pond location is indicated by an “X”, which corresponds to the coordinates given in the data spreadsheet. Labels in quotations are from 7.5-minute topographic quadrangles.
___Red lines are the U. S. National Grid with a spacing of 1,000 m and intersection labels consisting of the UTM zone (e.g., 11S, 12T), a 2-letter 100-km square designation (e.g., LC, XN), and a 4-digit number. The first 2 digits of the number represent the 1,000-meter Easting and the second 2 digits the 1,000-meter Northing, as seen in the example Easting and Northing. Unlike latitude and longitude, the National Grid is rectilinear on a flat map, the units of abscissa and ordinate have equal lengths, and the units (meters) are measurable on the ground with a tape or by pacing.
___There is no private or state land on this map. All the lands are public.
Bivouac Lake is in Atlantic Canyon 32 km (20 miles) southwest of Lander. It is at the base of the cliffs on the northeast side of Atlantic Peak. It has an oval shape with a length of 190 m and width of 100 m (620′ x 330′) as shown on the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle. Snowbanks on the cliff rubble west of the lake persist into September in most years. My first night at the lake was an uncomfortable bivouac but WGF refers to the lake as Icicle Lake (see In The Beginning for more details).
Bivouac Lake is isolated from the fish in “Windy Lake” below and from Lower Saddlebag Lake (name used by WGF) above by steep streams. A 2019 newsletter for the Lander office of the WGF proclaimed that Lower Saddlebag Lake, and several others, had 16-19-inch golden trout (wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/PDF/Fishing/LR_ANGLERNEWS_2019, pdf, p.3). The Department’s online “Fish Stocking Report” indicates that Lower Saddlebag Lake was again stocked with golden trout in July 2020, 748 of them.
Big fish in Upper and Lower Saddlebag lakes create a precarious situation for the fairy shrimp in Bivouac Lake. The fishing opportunity would attract people to the area. One or more of them might be perturbed by the lack of fish in Bivouac Lake and decide to transfer a few from Lower Saddlebag Lake or “Windy Lake”. Given the success of fish in Lower Saddlebag Lake, WGF itself might decide to give Bivouac Lake a try. Just drop a few in as the helicopter heads back down the canyon. What’s there to lose?
There is a hiking trail to the eastern end of “Atlantic Lake”. An angler’s trail follows the south side of the lake to the west end. From “Atlantic Lake”, it is about 2,600 m (8,530′) laterally and 215 m (700′) up to Bivouac Lake. The trail to “Atlantic Lake” can be reached from the “Fiddlers Lake” or the “Louis Lake” trailheads. The “Fiddlers Lake” route is better although it fords Atlantic Creek. There is little change in elevation. There is also a jeep trail more than 6 miles long to “Christina Lake” from the “Louis Lake” road. It was terrible in the 1980s. The jeep trail intersects the hiking trail at the eastern end of “Christina Lake”. From “Christina Lake”, “Atlantic Lake” is only 2,600 m (8,530′) away and only 90 m (300′) up. For most people, the hike from “Fiddlers Lake” would take half a day. If you are pressed for time, a round trip in one day is possible. A camp site at “Atlantic Lake” would be more uncomfortable than one at Bivouac Lake or Lower Saddlebag Lake.
Elevation: 3,334 m (10,939′)
August 8, 1985
This was my first sighting of fairy shrimp, I didn’t know what they were, didn’t collect any data, and didn’t take any notes.
- Fairy shrimp.
September 3, 1986
The high lake level, snowbanks on the west side of the lake more extensive than in August of last year, and a glorious profusion of wildflowers all suggest this is a relatively wet year.
- 100 m x 190 m based on the 7.5-minute quadrangle; greater than 200 cm depth.
- Clear water.
- Relatively large fairy shrimp (4 specimens 22-23 mm); didn’t think of noting presence of eggs but they are in the photographs.
- Caddisfly larvae (Trichoptera), mayfly nymphs (Ephemeroptera), wriggly larvae, possibly cladocerans.
Specimens were identified as Branchinecta coloradensis by DB (archive #DB-749).
Lower and Upper Saddlebag Lakes (names used by WGF) are above Bivouac Lake but since Lower Saddlebag is now periodically stocked with fish (see “Zooicide” above), there’s no point creating separate entries for them. Nonetheless, it is likely that they hadn’t had fish for a decade or so before 1987. WGF employees in the Lander office had told me that Lower Saddlebag Lake had been stocked with fish but that they had died off. I got the impression the die off was many years previously. As part of my job for the Shoshone National Forest in 1985, I had collected biological samples from Lower Saddlebag Lake with a plankton net. On 3 trips, I never saw fairy shrimp there. On this visit, I walked the shores of Lower Saddlebag and adjacent Upper Saddlebag lakes looking for fairy shrimp and didn’t see any. I also didn’t see any fish so they really did die off. The absence of fairy shrimp from a newly fish-free lake, whenever that was, next to a lake with fairy shrimp suggests colonization isn’t speedy.
Bivouac Lake in the shadow of Atlantic Peak (off upper right corner of photograph), looking southwest. The lower lake, “Windy Lake”, has been stocked with fish.
A female fairy shrimp in Bivouac Lake. It has a single row of pale yellowish-brown eggs in its ovisac and 2 rows of white eggs closer to its thorax, presumably in its oviducts.
Closeup of a male fairy shrimp in Bivouac Lake. Pale food in the lower intestine can be seen through the transparent abdomen. This male has large antennae II that extend backward from the head over the legs and are so long that they cross about 2/3 of the way down the thorax. For more about the anatomy of fairy shrimp, see the “Anatomy” section on the Biology of Anostraca page.
A fairy shrimp scraping the rock in Bivouac Lake. This fairy shrimp is uncharacteristically back side up with its legs apparently scraping the granite on the floor of the lake for food. The antennae II of this male are splayed to the sides of the body and stretched over the back to keep them out of the way. There does not appear to be much in the way of food items on the rock surface. Is this behavior a sign of a shortage of phytoplankton food? There is a caddisfly larval case of stuck-together sand grains near the top of the photograph. The larva may or may not still be living in it.
August 12, 1987
I know the lake has fairy shrimp but do they hatch every year? Was I just lucky in 1985 and 1986?
- 100 m x 190 m based on The National Map; depth greater than 200 cm.
- Clear water; 9 C at 0730, 12 C at 1330.
- Pale green fairy shrimp 12-18 mm long with males bigger than females; most abundant in deeper water among boulders on southwest side of lake; most females have single row of white eggs.
- Mayflies and mayfly nymphs (Ephemeroptera), caddisfly larvae (Trichoptera), large red copepods and smaller black ones.
Specimens were identified as Branchinecta coloradensis by DB.
The fact that fairy shrimp in Bivouac Lake hatched 3 years in a row is good evidence that populations can live in large, permanent alpine lakes in the Wind River Mountains with no need for seasonal drying. It also means fairy shrimp probably inhabited many permanent alpine lakes and ponds in the Bighorn Mountains and Snowy Range before they were stocked with fish, as well.
One possible argument against a widespread pre-stocking distribution of fairy shrimp is that colonization may have been hindered by large lake sizes. Maybe females and males hatched from a small number of introduced eggs wouldn’t have been able to find each other in order to reproduce.
Pond behind the moraine (Little Ice Age?) above Upper Saddlebag Lake at the head of Atlantic Canyon. Being mostly frozen in mid-August, it is not yet ready for fairy shrimp.
A female fairy shrimp with white eggs in Bivouac Lake.
Several fairy shrimp swimming among the boulders in Bivouac Lake.
August 13, 1993
I plan to do some searching in Stough Creek Basin and couldn’t resist stopping here to check on the fairy shrimp.
- 100 m x 190 m based on The National Map; greater than 200 cm depth.
- Water is clear.
- Sparse fairy shrimp about 20 mm long, not easy to find; eggs present.
- Other animals not noted.
This population seems to hatch every year so Bivouac Lake can wipe away the fairy shrimp blues if you aren’t having any luck elsewhere.
Atlantic Sunny Bench Pond (Lander Ranger District, Shoshone National Forest; Popo Agie Wilderness)
Atlantic Sunny Bench Pond is 1,400 m (4,590′) east of Bivouac Lake at the base of the northeastern wall of Atlantic Canyon. The location is about halfway between “Windy Lake” and “Atlantic Lake”. It is on a topographic bench with a good southern exposure. The size on the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle is 150 m x 85 m (490′ x 280′).
For access, see Bivouac Lake. There is no trail to this pond but it can be reached by a cross-country hike from “Atlantic Lake”.
Elevation: 3,215 m (10,547′)
September 4, 1986
It’s on the way down from Bivouac Lake.
- 85 m x 150 m based on 7.5-minute quadrangle; depth “shallow” (according to my notes).
- Water “scummy”.
- No fairy shrimp.
- Other animals not noted.
Below “Windy Lake” Pond (Lander Ranger District, Shoshone National Forest; Popo Agie Wilderness)
Below “Windy Lake” Pond is 200 m southwest of Atlantic Sunny Bench Pond. It is 70 m (230′) northeast of Atlantic Creek, where there are parts of a trail created by those fishing in “Windy Lake”. Below “Windy Lake” Pond is 115 m x 50 m (380′ x 165′) on the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle.
For access, see Bivouac Lake. There is no trail to this pond but it can be reached by a cross-country hike from “Atlantic Lake”. It is easy to find while hiking down from Atlantic Sunny Bench Pond but would not be visible to someone hiking along the creek.
Elevation: 3,201 m (10,503′)
September 4, 1986
Stopped at this pond on the way down from Atlantic Sunny Bench Pond.
- 50 m x 115 m based on the 7.5-minute quadrangle; depth “shallow” (according to my notes) but not estimated.
- Water “scummy” (according to my notes).
- No fairy shrimp.
- Other animals not noted.
“Upper Silas Lake” Southwest Pond (Lander Ranger District, Shoshone National Forest; Popo Agie Wilderness)
___This map is a screenshot of The National Map (Go to The National Map). The U.S. Geological Survey generally does not copyright or charge for its data or reports (unless printed). A pond location is indicated by an “X”, which corresponds to the coordinates given in the data spreadsheet. Labels in quotations are from 7.5-minute topographic quadrangles.
___Red lines are the U. S. National Grid with a spacing of 1,000 m and intersection labels consisting of the UTM zone (e.g., 11S, 12T), a 2-letter 100-km square designation (e.g., LC, XN), and a 4-digit number. The first 2 digits of the number represent the 1,000-meter Easting and the second 2 digits the 1,000-meter Northing, as seen in the example Easting and Northing. Unlike latitude and longitude, the National Grid is rectilinear on a flat map, the units of abscissa and ordinate have equal lengths, and the units (meters) are measurable on the ground with a tape or by pacing.
___There is no private or state land on this map. All the lands are public.
“Upper Silas Lake” Southwest Pond is on a bench on the south side of Silas Canyon about 300 m (980′) southwest of the southern part of “Upper Silas Lake”. Its dimensions on the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle are about 290 m x 120 m (950′ x 390′).
There is a trail to “Upper Silas Lake” from the “Fiddlers Lake” trailhead. The Silas Canyon trail turns off the “Atlantic Lake”/”Christina Lake” trail east of “Lower Silas Lake” only about 2 km (1.2 miles) from the trailhead. The pond is a cross-country hike from the lower end of “Upper Silas Lake”.
Elevation: 3,142 m (10,308′)
September 4, 1986
The out-of-the-way location looks promising and this pond, like Bivouac Lake, may be cooler than average due to the cliff to the southwest.
- 120 m x 290 m based on the 7.5-minute quadrangle; depth not estimated.
- Water clear.
- No fairy shrimp.
- Big fish.
The outlet from “Upper Silas Lake” Southwest Pond drops 37 m (120′) in 170 m (560′) so it’s doubtful that fish could have gotten here on their own. It’s also doubtful that WGF would bother stocking a pond this small. This is likely the result of fish-stocking by individuals. I had also seen fish in the lower of the “Calvert Lakes”, which is only a little bigger.
“Fremont Lake” Moraine Pond (Pinedale BLM Office)
___This map is a screenshot of The National Map (Go to The National Map). The U.S. Geological Survey generally does not copyright or charge for its data or reports (unless printed). A pond location is indicated by an “X”, which corresponds to the coordinates given in the data spreadsheet. Labels in quotations are from 7.5-minute topographic quadrangles.
___Red lines are the U. S. National Grid with a spacing of 1,000 m and intersection labels consisting of the UTM zone (e.g., 11S, 12T), a 2-letter 100-km square designation (e.g., LC, XN), and a 4-digit number. The first 2 digits of the number represent the 1,000-meter Easting and the second 2 digits the 1,000-meter Northing, as seen in the example Easting and Northing. Unlike latitude and longitude, the National Grid is rectilinear on a flat map, the units of abscissa and ordinate have equal lengths, and the units (meters) are measurable on the ground with a tape or by pacing.
___Gray shading represents private land as traced from the PAD-US 2.0 – Federal Fee Managers layer of The National Map. Other lands are public or owned by the State of Wyoming.
“Fremont Lake” Moraine Pond is about 9 km (6 miles) northeast of Pinedale on the southeast side of the road to “Half Moon Lake” and Elkhart Park trailhead, the most popular entry to the Bridger Wilderness. It is near a road that turns south off the Elkhart Park road west of “Mud Lake”. It is near the crest of the massive moraine that rings the southern part of “Fremont Lake”.
“Fremont Lake” Moraine Pond is not shown on the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle and is not evident on USGS imagery of The National Map. Consequently, the location on the map above and the coordinates in the data spreadsheet may be off by 200 m (660′).
“Fremont Lake” Moraine Pond is easily reached from Pinedale. Take Sublette County Road 111 northeast from the east end of Pinedale. At the Y-junction just south of “Fremont Lake”, take the right fork rather than the left fork, which goes to “Fremont Lake” and Sandy Beach. There should be a sign to “Half Moon Lake” or Elkhart Park. About 2.9 miles from the Y, turn south onto an unimproved road at the National Forest boundary, which may or may not be marked. Drive about 200 m (660′), park, and start looking around. The official highway map of Wyoming indicates the road to Elkhart Park is now paved.
Elevation: 2,383 m (7,818′)
May 20, 1987
I don’t have a map but NPPWOPII.
- Size and depth not estimated.
- Water clear with brown tint.
- Green fairy shrimp about 25 mm long seem to be treading water more than swimming; females have white or yellow eggs.
- Other animals not noted.
June 18, 1987
The fairy shrimp in this pond looked like a different species than what I saw in Bivouac Lake and “Coyote Lake” (Antelope Hills) so I came back to collect specimens. There are grass and rushes growing in the water and abundant green algae along the north shore.
- 10 m x 30 m; depth probably at least 50 cm.
- Water clear and dark brown; 19 C.
- Fairy shrimp 25-30 mm long with deep brownish-green color and yellow eyes; seem to be treading water more than swimming and occasionally scrape the pond bottom or rise to the water surface; females have yellow eggs.
- Many small and few large backswimmers (sub-order Heteroptera, family Notonectidae), small and large dytiscid larvae (order Coleoptera, family Dytiscidae), water boatmen (sub-order Heteroptera, family Corixidae), beetles, blue dragonflies, some brown zooplankton less than 2 mm (copepods?), red and round possible water mites.
Specimens were identified as Streptocephalus seali by DB (archive #DB 801-813, which includes specimens from other ponds).
Looking north across “Fremont Lake” Moraine Pond. “Fremont Lake” is out of sight in the valley in the middle distance.
A female fairy shrimp in “Fremont Lake” Moraine Pond with yellow eggs. Unlike the other species I have seen, this one has yellow eyes. The yellow thing at the end of the abdomen between the cercopods is not a tail, it is a mucilaginous string of food that hasn’t fallen off yet.
A fairy shrimp in “Fremont Lake” Moraine Pond. This one doesn’t have eggs or anything that looks like an ovisac so it is probably a male. It is not just the dark body color and yellow eyes that makes this look like a different species than the one in Bivouac Lake. It is also the kidney rather than round shape of the eyes, the curved cercopods, and the inconspicuous antennae II in mature males.
A dytiscid larva (order Coleoptera, family Dytiscidae) on the bottom of “Fremont Lake” Moraine Pond. The end of the abdomen characteristically turns up toward the water surface and helps make these larvae easy to identify. Dytiscid larvae are predators of fairy shrimp.
Buttress Pond (Lander Ranger District, Shoshone National Forest)
___This map is a screenshot of The National Map (Go to The National Map). The U.S. Geological Survey generally does not copyright or charge for its data or reports (unless printed). A pond location is indicated by an “X”, which corresponds to the coordinates given in the data spreadsheet. Labels in quotations are from 7.5-minute topographic quadrangles.
___Red lines are the U. S. National Grid with a spacing of 1,000 m and intersection labels consisting of the UTM zone (e.g., 11S, 12T), a 2-letter 100-km square designation (e.g., LC, XN), and a 4-digit number. The first 2 digits of the number represent the 1,000-meter Easting and the second 2 digits the 1,000-meter Northing, as seen in the example Easting and Northing. Unlike latitude and longitude, the National Grid is rectilinear on a flat map, the units of abscissa and ordinate have equal lengths, and the units (meters) are measurable on the ground with a tape or by pacing.
___There is private land north of the green line at the extreme upper right. All other lands are public.
Buttress Pond is the name Arthur Shoutis used for the pond (see In The Beginning for details). It may be in common use as the Buttress is a climbing spot. The pond is on the back (north) side of a mass of rock that juts out from the north wall of Sinks Canyon and looms nearly vertically over the Middle Fork Popo Agie River. The pond is about 900 m (2,950′) west of the Middle Fork Popo Agie River trailhead. Except for the north shore, the pond is within a grove of conifers. On The National Map, the pond is 125 m long and 90 m (410′ x 295′) wide.
Buttress Pond is a steep climb from the Middle Fork trail. The Middle Fork trailhead is next to the Bruce Picnic Ground at the end of the paved Sinks Canyon road (Wyoming 131) southwest of Lander. I don’t remember the route we took to the pond but there wasn’t anything technical.
Elevation: 2,358 m (7,737′)
May 22, 1987
Arthur Shoutis thought he had seen fairy shrimp in this pond previously so we went to see if they had hatched this year.
- Pond about 100 m long; depth at least 50 cm.
- Clear to slightly murky brownish water.
- No fairy shrimp.
- Abundant amphipods; a puddle in the marsh west of the pond had dytiscid larvae (order Coleoptera, family Dytiscidae) and backswimmers (sub-order Heteroptera, family Notonectidae).
July 6, 1987
I came back to take a longer look at the aquatic life and maybe find fairy shrimp this time.
- Size and depth not estimated.
- Water clarity not estimated..
- No fairy shrimp.
- Abundant amphipods of many sizes, abundant snails up to 25 mm across, caddisfly larvae (Trichoptera) with towering cases, dytiscid larvae (order Coleoptera, family Dytiscidae), damselfly larvae, a dragonfly as big as a hummingbird, a few fat salamander larvae.
Little Sandy Overlook Pond (Pinedale Ranger District, Bridger-Teton National Forest; Bridger Wilderness)
___This map is a screenshot of The National Map (Go to The National Map). The U.S. Geological Survey generally does not copyright or charge for its data or reports (unless printed). A pond location is indicated by an “X”, which corresponds to the coordinates given in the data spreadsheet. Labels in quotations are from 7.5-minute topographic quadrangles.
___Red lines are the U. S. National Grid with a spacing of 1,000 m and intersection labels consisting of the UTM zone (e.g., 11S, 12T), a 2-letter 100-km square designation (e.g., LC, XN), and a 4-digit number. The first 2 digits of the number represent the 1,000-meter Easting and the second 2 digits the 1,000-meter Northing, as seen in the example Easting and Northing. Unlike latitude and longitude, the National Grid is rectilinear on a flat map, the units of abscissa and ordinate have equal lengths, and the units (meters) are measurable on the ground with a tape or by pacing.
___There is no private or state land on this map. All the lands are public.
Little Sandy Overlook Pond is 36 km (22 miles) southwest of Lander on the west side of the continental divide about 250 m (820′) west of “Coon Lake”. It is perched on the edge of the 230 m (750′) cliff dropping down into Little Sandy Creek canyon. Because it is on the west side of the divide, it is in the Bridger-Teton National Forest rather than the Shoshone National Forest.
Although the water of Little Sandy Overlook Pond is not visible on USGS imagery of The National Map, the location is tightly constrained by the greenery and bare rock in photograph Little Sandy Overlook Pond 1987-08-10, #3112, and the topography.
Little Sandy Overlook Pond is close to “Coon Lake”. “Coon Lake” can be reached from the Worthen Meadows trailhead by following the trail over Roaring Fork Mountain to Tayo Park and then ascending Tayo Creek to past “Poison Lake”. Above “Poison Lake”, the trail shown on the recreation map of the southern half of the Shoshone National Forest turns north toward “Tayo Lake”. An informal trail continues to the west up the hill to “Coon Lake”.
Elevation: 3,206 m (10,517′)
August 9, 1987
I saw a couple of people fishing at “Coon Lake” so there was no point stopping there. I continued to the end of the lake and approached the cliffs of Little Sandy Creek canyon. The view is beyond my expectations – the canyon is a spectacular glacier-carved trench. But, oh, there is a pond at the top of the cliff. I’m pooped and I haven’t found a place to pitch my tent yet but I have to look.
- Fairy shrimp.
August 10, 1987
Found some other fairy shrimp ponds today. It’s time to document this one.
- Pond 25 m x 10 m; depth possibly up to 100 cm.
- Water is clear; 14 C at 1915 with air temp about 10 C.
- Abundant brownish-green fairy shrimp with males larger than females; most females have single row of white eggs in ovisac.
- Black beetles, caddisfly larvae (Trichoptera), both larger black and smaller reddish brown copepods.
Little Sandy Creek canyon in the morning light, with Little Sandy Overlook Pond in the foreground at the edge of the precipice. The high-water mark on the rocks is about 15 cm above the current water level. “Little Sandy Lake” is in the sunlight beyond the shadowed canyon.
Numerous fairy shrimp swimming among the boulders in Little Sandy Overlook Pond. Floating pine needles for scale.
August 21, 1989
1987 was a good year for fairy shrimp in the ponds by “Coon Lake” so what about this year?
- Size and depth not estimated.
- Water clarity not noted.
- No fairy shrimp.
- Large black copepods.
Little Sandy Overlook Pond from edge of the cliff by Cliff Edge Pond. I couldn’t find any fairy shrimp this time. The water level is a little lower but there is still plenty. This is a sunnier view of Little Sandy Creek canyon.
August 30, 2006
Not much luck with my tour of the Wind River Peak Ponds so it’s time to check on these southwest of “Coon Lake”.
- Size and depth not estimated.
- Water clarity not noted.
- No fairy shrimp.
- Backswimmers.
“Coon Lake” South Pond #1 (Pinedale Ranger District, Bridger-Teton National Forest; Bridger Wilderness)
Little Sandy Overlook Pond map
“Coon Lake” South Pond #1 is about 550 m (1,800′) southeast of Little Sandy Overlook Pond and 250 m (820′) south of “Coon Lake”. It is among 5 ponds south of “Coon Lake” that were visited in my search for fairy shrimp. The ponds are south of the hill marking the continental divide south of “Coon Lake”. The rocky terrain slopes gently toward Little Sandy Creek canyon for about 350 m (1,150′) before dropping off a 230 m (750′) cliff. Pond #1 is in a draw between the 2 summits of the small hill 200 m (660′) south of the shore of “Coon Lake”.
Although not mapped, the location for “Coon Lake” South Pond #1 could be identified with reasonable certainty on the USGS imagery of The National Map in spite of the dark water vs. dark vegetation ambiguity. Location accuracy is probably better than 25 m (80′).
For access, see Little Sandy Overlook Pond.
Elevation: 3,257 m (10,685′)
August 10, 1987
The small hill south of “Coon Lake” is an obvious place for a nice view but, even better, it’s got puddles. Pond #1 is a puddle that it is partly dry.
- 15 m long; depth 30 cm between the rocks.
- Water is clear; 14 C at 1745.
- Abundant greenish-brown fairy shrimp with males (18-20 mm) larger than females (17-19 mm); most females have eggs in up to 3 rows in long ovisacs; counted 30-40 eggs in collected specimens.
- Black beetles, a dytiscid larvae (order Coleoptera, family Dytiscidae) as big as my forefinger, small backswimmers (sub-order Heteroptera, family Notonectidae), red spheres that may be water mites, many black ostracods(?) less than 1 mm, black copepods and other small zooplankton.
Specimens were identified as Branchinecta coloradensis by DB.
The puddle of water at center is “Coon Lake” South Pond #1. The cliffs in the distance are on the far side of Little Sandy Creek canyon. The peak at right has what I call a tilted aircraft carrier shape, which is rather common in the Winds.
Darkly colored fairy shrimp in “Coon Lake” South Pond #1.
August 21, 1989
The water level looks very low.
- Size and depth not estimated.
- Water clarity not noted.
- Large dark green fairy shrimp; eggs not noted.
- No other animals noted.
August 30, 2006
This doesn’t look good.
- Dry.
“Coon Lake” South Pond #2 (Pinedale Ranger District, Bridger-Teton National Forest; Bridger Wilderness)
Little Sandy Overlook Pond map
“Coon Lake” South Pond #2 is south of the hill marking the continental divide south of “Coon Lake” and about 150 m (490′) south of “Coon Lake” South Pond #1. It is one of the 5 ponds south of “Coon Lake” that were visited in my search for fairy shrimp. Pond #2 is on the north side of a small knob and on the west side of a closed contour shown on the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle.
“Coon Lake” South Pond #2 is not visible on USGS imagery of The National Map but topography constrains location accuracy to within about 50 m (165′).
For access, see Little Sandy Overlook Pond.
Elevation: 3,254 m (10,677′)
August 10, 1987
Like Pond #1, Pond #2 has a high-water mark about 15 cm above the current water level. However, it is deeper.
- About 30 m long; depth maybe up to 80 cm.
- Clear to slightly murky water.
- Fairy shrimp smaller than in Pond #1, with males larger than females; some females have single row of white eggs.
- Black beetles, abundant tiny red copepods.
August 21, 1989
Water levels are down but Pond #1 has fairy shrimp so maybe this one does too.
- Size and depth not estimated.
- Water clarity not noted.
- Small fairy shrimp; eggs not noted.
- No other animals noted.
August 30, 2006
The water level is very low.
- Size and depth not estimated.
- Water clarity not noted.
- Fairy shrimp.
- Beetles.
“Coon Lake” South Pond #3 (Pinedale Ranger District, Bridger-Teton National Forest; Bridger Wilderness)
Little Sandy Overlook Pond map
“Coon Lake” South Pond #3 is on the east side of the hill marking the continental divide south of “Coon Lake” and about 100 m (330′) southeast of “Coon Lake” South Pond #1. It is the largest of the 5 ponds south of “Coon Lake” that were visited in my search for fairy shrimp. “Coon Lake” South Pond #3 is northeast of, and at about the same elevation as, Pond #2.
“Coon Lake” South Pond #3 is not visible on USGS imagery of The National Map but topography constrains location accuracy to about 100 m (330′).
For access, see Little Sandy Overlook Pond.
Elevation: 3,250 m (10,661′)
August 10, 1987
There is a light sprinkle and the threat of heavy rain so I’d better hurry up with this pond.
- 13 m x 35 m; depth probably 50 cm.
- Clear to slightly murky, brownish water.
- Abundant brown fairy shrimp 12-14 mm long, with males larger and more abundant than females and some smaller females; some females have single row of white eggs; some fairy shrimp turn over and scrape the rock from time to time.
- Black beetles, large black copepods and smaller zooplankton, greenish-black ostracods(?) less than 1 mm.
Specimens were identified as Branchinecta coloradensis by DB.
I spotted 1 male with short antennae II which is probably not Branchinecta coloradensis like those in “Coon Lake” South Pond #1. It could be Branchinecta paludosa (BTANSD) like those in “Coyote Lake” (Antelope Hills).
“Coon Lake” South Pond #3, looking north. The peak with the snowbank is Wind River Peak. I came back the next morning to take this photograph and check out a few more ponds before hiking over to Bivouac Lake.
An abundance of fairy shrimp in “Coon Lake” South Pond #3. The high density of fairy shrimp may be partly due to the shrunken volume of water as the level has clearly dropped.
August 30, 2006
I haven’t definitely found “Coon Lake” South Pond #3 today but that is probably because it is dry, like “Coon Lake” South Pond #1.
- Dry.
Cliff Edge Pond (Pinedale Ranger District, Bridger-Teton National Forest; Bridger Wilderness)
Little Sandy Overlook Pond map
Cliff Edge Pond is about 300 m (980′) west of “Coon Lake” and about 250 m (820′) north of Little Sandy Overlook Pond. It is on a bench with a small south-facing cliff to its immediate north and the big cliff into Little Sandy Creek canyon to its south and west. Cliff Edge Pond may have an outlet to the southeast at high water but there is no indication of an inlet. The pond is 80 m (260′) long on the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle.
For access, see Little Sandy Overlook Pond.
Elevation: 3,251 m (10,667′)
August 11, 1987
Yet another pond near “Coon Lake” and this one is the biggest yet.
- 45 m x 75 m; depth possibly 200 cm.
- Clear greenish water; 8 C at 0715.
- No fairy shrimp.
- Amphipods, black beetles (one holding remains of amphipod), caddisfly larvae (Trichoptera), relatively big black copepods, smaller zooplankton.
August 21, 1989
Another year, another chance for fairy shrimp.
- Size and depth not estimated.
- Water clarity not noted.
- No fairy shrimp.
- Amphipods, black beetles.
August 30, 2006
One of the few “Coon Lake” ponds with water this year so WIDLA.
- Size and depth not estimated.
- Water clarity not noted.
- No fairy shrimp.
- Backswimmers, amphipods.
“Coon Lake” South Pond #4 (Pinedale Ranger District, Bridger-Teton National Forest; Bridger Wilderness)
Little Sandy Overlook Pond map
“Coon Lake” South Pond #4 is about 250 m south of “Coon Lake” South Pond #1. The pond is among 5 ponds south of “Coon Lake” that were visited in my search for fairy shrimp. Pond #4 is in the draw between the small hill south of “Coon Lake” and the big ridge leading up to Mt. Nystrom. It is southeast of Pond #2 and northeast of Pond #5.
“Coon Lake” South Pond #4 is not visible on USGS imagery of The National Map but topography constrains location accuracy to about 100 m (330′).
For access, see Little Sandy Overlook Pond.
Elevation: 3,241 m (10,633′)
August 11, 1987
Being in the draw, Pond #4 could receive some runoff from surrounding slopes but it is rather small.
- Pond about 25 m long; depth not estimated.
- Clear water.
- Sparse but relatively large fairy shrimp, with males larger and more abundant than females; most females have eggs.
- Other animals not noted.
August 30, 2006
- Dry.
“Coon Lake” South Pond #5 (Pinedale Ranger District, Bridger-Teton National Forest; Bridger Wilderness)
Little Sandy Overlook Pond map
“Coon Lake” South Pond #5 is about 325 m (1,070′) south of “Coon Lake” South Pond #1 and 100 m (330′) southwest of “Coon Lake” South Pond #4. It is among 5 ponds south of “Coon Lake” that were visited in my search for fairy shrimp. Pond #5 is in a marshy bog southwest of Pond #4 and closer to the cliff into Little Sandy Creek canyon.
“Coon Lake” South Pond #5 is not visible on USGS imagery of The National Map but topography constrains location accuracy to about 100 m (330′).
For access, see Little Sandy Overlook Pond.
Elevation: 3,233 m (10,606′)
August 11, 1987
This pond looks like it could get flushed out during spring runoff but WIDLA.
- Pond 15 m long; depth less than 30 cm.
- Clear water.
- No fairy shrimp.
- Other animals not noted.
August 30, 2006
This makes for 4 out of 7 “Coon Lake” ponds dry this year.
- Dry.
Big Stough East Pond (Lander Ranger District, Shoshone National Forest; Popo Agie Wilderness)
Big Stough East Pond is in a marsh on the small hill about 150 m (820′) east of Big Stough Lake (WGF name). Big Stough Lake is the northernmost large lake of the “Stough Creek Lakes”.
Stough Creek Basin can be reached from the Worthen Meadow trailhead. On the west side of Roaring Fork Mountain, there is a trail junction with one trail continuing to the west to Middle Fork Popo Agie River and Tayo Park and one trail going south into Stough Creek Basin. The first large lake on the trail to the south is Big Stough Lake. The most direct route to Big Stough East Pond is to ford the outlet on the north edge of Big Stough Lake and continue almost due east for about 150 m (820′).
Elevation: 3,208 m (10,525′)
August 11, 1987
The pond is very small and shallow and partially overgrown. I’m looking for an easy way up Roaring Fork Mountain but NPPWOPII.
- Size not estimated; depth not estimated.
- Water clarity not noted.
- Fairy shrimp.
- Other animals not noted.
Medina Mountain Ponds (Pinedale Ranger District, Bridger-Teton National Forest; Bridger Wilderness)
___This map is a screenshot of The National Map (Go to The National Map). The U.S. Geological Survey generally does not copyright or charge for its data or reports (unless printed). A pond location is indicated by an “X”, which corresponds to the coordinates given in the data spreadsheet. Labels in quotations are from 7.5-minute topographic quadrangles.
___Red lines are the U. S. National Grid with a spacing of 1,000 m and intersection labels consisting of the UTM zone (e.g., 11S, 12T), a 2-letter 100-km square designation (e.g., LC, XN), and a 4-digit number. The first 2 digits of the number represent the 1,000-meter Easting and the second 2 digits the 1,000-meter Northing, as seen in the example Easting and Northing. Unlike latitude and longitude, the National Grid is rectilinear on a flat map, the units of abscissa and ordinate have equal lengths, and the units (meters) are measurable on the ground with a tape or by pacing.
___There is no private or state land on this map. All the lands are public.
Medina Mountain Ponds comprise several ponds generally south or east of Medina Mountain and also west of “Pipestone Lakes” and south of “Halls Lake”. They are within 3 km (2 miles) of the summit of Medina Mountain. Medina Mountain is 34 km (21 miles) east of Pinedale.
Medina Mountain Ponds were selected by virtue of their having a low probability of fish. Most of the ponds are less than 50 m (165′) across. Most of the ponds are not connected to streams or are on streams separated from larger lakes that could have fish by steep topography. According to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s 2013 “Bridger Wilderness, A Guide to the Fishing Lakes” (17 p.), “Halls Lake”, “Pipestone Lakes”, and “Howard Lake”, all have fish. Any pond on a stream connected to those lakes would have a high risk of fish. To maximize search time, no notes were taken except at 2 of the ponds with fairy shrimp.
Most ponds are shown on the 1938, 1:62,500-scale, Mt. Bonneville 15-minute topographic quadrangle, which I had in the field. Only 2 (#4 and #14) are not shown. 4 (#1, #10, #13, and #17) of the Medina Mountain Ponds ponds shown on the 15-minute quadrangle are not shown on the 1981 Halls Mountain 7.5-minute quadrangle. Ponds not shown on the 1981 Halls Mountain quadrangle are also not shown on The National Map. Consequently, the locations of these 6 ponds are less certain than for the other ponds but are probably not off by more than 50 m (165′), given the topography.
Elevations of Medina Mountain Ponds are between 3,109 m (10,200′) and 3,267 m (10,720′) (using the XY tool of The National Map). These elevations are not given below but are in the data spreadsheet on the Data page. Pond sizes given below have been measured on the Halls Mountain 1:24,000-scale quadrangle where present and assumed to be less than 50 m (165′) across where not present, unless described otherwise.
The shortest route to the Medina Mountain area is from the “Boulder Lake” trailhead. To reach the trailhead, turn east onto Wyoming 353 to Big Sandy from US 191 at Boulder (12 miles southeast of Pinedale). About 2 1/2 miles east of US 191, turn north on Sublette County road 114. This road ultimately leads up the south shore of “Boulder Lake” to “Boulder Lake” Campground, Boulder Lodge, and the trailhead. There are probably signs to one or more of those landmarks. The hiking trail from “Boulder Lake” trailhead leads to “Pipestone Lakes”, where it intersects the High Line Trail. Looking at the map 25 years later, I suspect I camped somewhere along “Pipestone Lakes”.
August 19, 1989
Heavy clouds this morning and a little rain yesterday on the hike up. This is probably not a good day to hike up Medina Mountain. Guess I’ll spend the whole day looking for fairy shrimp.
- Pond #1: east of north end of lower of the “Pipestone Lakes”, shown on Mt. Bonneville but not on “Halls Lake” quadrangle, less than 50 m across, no fairy shrimp.
- Ponds #2,#3: up to 100 m across on quadrangle, no fairy shrimp.
- Pond #4: east of southeast end of lower of the “Pipestone Lakes”, not shown on either quadrangle, less than 50 m across, no fairy shrimp.
- Ponds #5,#6,#7: less than 50 m across, no fairy shrimp.
- Pond #8: on outlet of Pond #9, less than 50 m across, no fairy shrimp.
- Pond #9: lake up to 500 m across east of “Howard Lake”, no fairy shrimp.
- Pond #10: within 100 m of western shore of Pond #9, shown on Mt. Bonneville but not on “Halls Lake” quadrangle, less than 50 m across, no fairy shrimp.
- Pond #11: less than 50 m across, no fairy shrimp.
- Pond #12: up to 120 m across on quadrangle, no fairy shrimp.
- Pond #13: less than 50 m across, shown on Mt. Bonneville but not on “Halls Lake” quadrangle, no fairy shrimp.
- Pond #14: on ridge about 1,500 m northeast of southeast corner of “Howard Lake”, not shown on either quadrangle, less than 50 m across, has fairy shrimp.
- Pond #15: 1,100 m due east of summit of Medina Mountain and 170 m northeast of 600 m long lake with fish, up to 75 m across on quadrangle, has large fairy shrimp, mostly males, 1 female has eggs.
- Pond #16: semicircular pond 15 m x 25 m, water rather milky, 11 C at 1210, has fairy shrimp with females 10-12 mm and males 12-14 mm, females have eggs in oviducts or rarely in ovisacs, large black copepods, jelly-like algae(?) attached to rocks.
- Pond #17: half way between Ponds #16 and #18, shown on Mt. Bonneville but not on “Halls Lake” quadrangle, less than 50 m across, no fairy shrimp.
- Pond #18: less than 50 m across, no fairy shrimp.
- Pond #19: up to 120 m across on quadrangle, no fairy shrimp.
- Pond #20: on hill south of outlet of “Halls Lake”, less than 50 m across, no fairy shrimp.
- Pond #21: on saddle between lake south of “Halls Lake” and Halls Creek and at head of drainage tributary to Halls Creek, up to 80 m across on quadrangle, a few large green fairy shrimp about 20 mm long, 1 female has pale eggs in ovisac.
- Pond #22: pond at head of stream in drainage tributary to Halls Creek, up to 120 m across on quadrangle, no fairy shrimp.
- Pond #23: not connected to stream, up to 120 m across on quadrangle, no fairy shrimp.
- Pond #24: elliptical pond up to 200 m across on stream in drainage tributary to Halls Creek, no fairy shrimp.
- Pond #25: irregular pond up to 250 m across on stream in same drainage tributary to Halls Creek as Pond #24, no fairy shrimp.
Specimens collected from Pond #16 were identified as Branchinecta coloradensis by DB. All of the fairy shrimp observed in the Medina Mountain Ponds looked superficially like the Branchinecta coloradensis identified at Bivouac Lake and in Pond #16.
25 Medina Mountain Ponds visited, 4 had fairy shrimp.
Medina Mountain Pond #16, looking east. The low water level suggests this may not be a good year to find fairy shrimp but there were some here. The rock spire in the distance may be Pipe Organ, on the continental divide east of “Halls Lake”.
View north across the west side of “Halls Lake”. This lake has been stocked with brook trout but a few small ponds in the vicinity have fairy shrimp. Was the lake also home to fairy shrimp before 1930? The jagged mountain at right is Halls Mountain. Clouds are breaking up, I didn’t get snowed on, and I found at least a few fairy shrimp. That counts as a good day.
Silas Headwall Lake (Lander Ranger District, Shoshone National Forest; Popo Agie Wilderness)
Silas Headwall Lake is the uppermost lake of Silas Canyon, south of Cony Mountain. It is 30 km (19 miles) southwest of Lander and about 2 km (1.2 miles) north of Bivouac Lake. On the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle, it is 300 m long and 150 m wide (980′ x 490′) with a regular oval shape. It is below a nearly vertical cliff on the east side of Roaring Fork Mountain. The lake is inaccessible to fish swimming upstream because there is no outlet. The water just drains through the boulders below the lake.
Silas Headwall Lake can be reached from the “Fiddlers Lake” trailhead. A trail up Silas Canyon branches to the northwest off the “Christina Lake” trail on the east side of “Lower Silas Lake” about 3.3 km (2 miles) from the trailhead. The trail is less used above “Upper Silas Lake” and eventually peters out but the canyon presents no major difficulties.
Elevation: 3,434 m (11,266′)
August 13, 1993
It’s mid-August but this lake looks cold. There is a big chunk of ice in the water.
- 150 m x 300 m based on the 7.5-minute quadrangle; depth at least 200 cm.
- Water is clear.
- No fairy shrimp.
- Other animals not noted (I don’t think there were any).
Silas Headwall Lake and the cliff on the east side of Roaring Fork Mountain. There is a considerable slab of ice floating on the water adjacent to the snowbank. Is this future fairy shrimp habitat?
Silas Cornice Chute Lake (Lander Ranger District, Shoshone National Forest; Popo Agie Wilderness)
Silas Cornice Chute Lake is about 310 m (1,020′) east of Silas Headwall Lake and is the next lake down the canyon. It is a smaller lake at 190 m x 100 m (620′ x 330′) according to the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle. It is at the base of the cliff on the north side of Silas Canyon. There is a prominent snow-filled chute to the west of the lake with a cornice at the top of the cliff. The snow likely persists into autumn in most years. The outlet stream to “Thumb Lake” below has a steep section that probably blocks fish.
For access, see Silas Headwall Lake.
Elevation: 3,384 m (11,102′)
August 13, 1993
“Thumb Lake” below has big fish but I don’t think they can get up here.
- 100 m x 190 m based on the 7.5-minute quadrangle; depth at least 100 cm and probably more.
- Water is clear.
- No fairy shrimp.
- Amphipods.
Cinquefoil Pond (Lander Ranger District, Shoshone National Forest; Popo Agie Wilderness)
___This map is a screenshot of The National Map (Go to The National Map). The U.S. Geological Survey generally does not copyright or charge for its data or reports (unless printed). A pond location is indicated by an “X”, which corresponds to the coordinates given in the data spreadsheet. Labels in quotations are from 7.5-minute topographic quadrangles.
___Red lines are the U. S. National Grid with a spacing of 1,000 m and intersection labels consisting of the UTM zone (e.g., 11S, 12T), a 2-letter 100-km square designation (e.g., LC, XN), and a 4-digit number. The first 2 digits of the number represent the 1,000-meter Easting and the second 2 digits the 1,000-meter Northing, as seen in the example Easting and Northing. Unlike latitude and longitude, the National Grid is rectilinear on a flat map, the units of abscissa and ordinate have equal lengths, and the units (meters) are measurable on the ground with a tape or by pacing.
___There is no private or state land on this map. All the lands are public.
Cinquefoil Pond is about 150 m (490′) southeast of the southernmost large lake in the basin, which is called Canyon Lake by WGF. Only a trickle of water flows down the hill to Canyon Lake, which probably has fish. Although not shown on the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle, the pond is visible on the USGS imagery of The National Map as a dark vegetated area. The grassy bench on which the pond occurs had abundant yellow cinquefoil on the first visit.
Stough Creek Basin can be reached from the Worthen Meadows trailhead. After crossing to the west side of Roaring Fork Mountain, the Roaring Fork trail meets the Stough Creek Basin trail. The Roaring Fork trail continues to the west to Middle Fork Popo Agie River and Tayo Park. Turn south and follow the Stough Creek Basin trail. From the first big lake at the north end of Stough Creek Basin, follow the main branch of Stough Creek all the way to Canyon Lake. The trail gives out somewhere short of this goal. Go around the east side of Canyon Lake to Cinquefoil Pond.
Stough Creek Basin can also be reached from the Middle Fork Popo Agie River trail, which has a trailhead at the end of the Sinks Canyon Road near Bruce Picnic Area. That route is at least 3 times longer.
Elevation: 3,388 m (11,116′)
August 14, 1993
I saw amphipods in Canyon Lake. I didn’t see fish but I suspect they are there. Certainly no worries about fish here.
- About 30 m across; probably at least 50 cm deep.
- Water is clear; 11 C at 1230.
- Fairy shrimp 15-20 mm long; some females have single row of pale eggs.
- Other animals not noted.
View to the southwest across Cinquefoil Pond to Stough Below the Moraine Pond in the middle distance. Cinquefoil Pond has fairy shrimp but Stough Below the Moraine Pond does not. Could it be because Stough Below the Moraine Pond was still 4 C colder at mid-day? Note the massive moraine above Stough Below the Moraine Pond. It holds back a snow field that could also be a pond some day.
August 31, 2006
Looks almost dry.
- Size and depth not estimated.
- Water clarity not noted.
- No fairy shrimp.
- Other animals not noted.
Stough Below the Moraine Pond (Lander Ranger District, Shoshone National Forest; Popo Agie Wilderness)
Stough Below the Moraine Pond is at the southern extremity of Stough Creek Basin 31 km (19 miles) from Lander and about 2 km (1.2 miles) northwest of Bivouac Lake. It is below a 50 m (165′) high moraine that holds back a perennial snowfield but is itself bounded below by a small moraine. On the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle, Stough Below the Moraine Pond is 120 m x 70 m (390′ x 230′). It is isolated from Canyon Lake (name used by WGF) below by the lack of an outlet.
For access, see Cinquefoil Pond. Stough Below the Moraine Pond is about 200 m (660′) southwest of Cinquefoil Pond.
Elevation: 3,386 m (11,110′)
August 14, 1993
Bigger and maybe better than Cinquefoil Pond.
- 70 m x 120 m based on the 7.5-minute quadrangle; depth probably up to 100 cm.
- Water is clear; 7 C at 1200.
- No fairy shrimp.
- Rare caddisfly larvae (Trichoptera).
Looking down upper Stough Creek canyon with, from bottom to center, Stough Below the Moraine Pond, Canyon Lake (name used by WGF), and Blackrock Lake (name used by WGF). Cinquefoil Pond is to the right of the upper (lower in photograph coordinates) end of Canyon Lake next to the closest patch of green vegetation. The long ridge of Roaring Fork Mountain bounds the right side of Stough Creek canyon. This photograph was taken several years previously during a dry year.
August 31, 2006
Cinquefoil Pond is almost dry but this one is doing okay.
- Size and depth not estimated.
- Clear water.
- No fairy shrimp.
- Other animals not noted.
Boulder Bog Pond (Lander Ranger District, Shoshone National Forest; Popo Agie Wilderness)
Boulder Bog Pond is about 1,200 m north of Stough Below the Moraine Pond. It is on the south side of the knoll on the west side of Blackrock Lake (name used by WGF) south of the lake’s outlet. Blackrock Lake is the next lake below and to the north of Canyon Lake. The pond is in a marshy area with boulders and some smooth rock outcrops.
Boulder Bog Pond is not on the 7.5-minute quadrangle and is not visible on the USGS imagery of The National Map. The location of the pond on the Cinquefoil Pond map and in the data spreadsheet (on the Data page) may be off by 100 m (330′).
For access, see Cinquefoil Pond. Boulder Bog Pond is 1,000 m (3,280′) north of Cinquefoil Pond and on the way to that pond from the Stough Creek Basin trail.
Elevation: 3,291 m (10,798′)
August 14, 1993
It’s not much of a pond but it is in a wet area that must collect considerable snow in the winter.
- About 40 m long; depth not estimated.
- Water is clear; 13 C at 1330.
- Fairy shrimp; eggs not noted.
- Other animals not noted.
August 31, 2006
This one is gone, too.
- Dry.
Deep Cirque Overlook Pond (Lander Ranger District, Shoshone National Forest; Popo Agie Wilderness)
___This map is a screenshot of The National Map (Go to The National Map). The U.S. Geological Survey generally does not copyright or charge for its data or reports (unless printed). A pond location is indicated by an “X”, which corresponds to the coordinates given in the data spreadsheet. Labels in quotations are from 7.5-minute topographic quadrangles.
___Red lines are the U. S. National Grid with a spacing of 1,000 m and intersection labels consisting of the UTM zone (e.g., 11S, 12T), a 2-letter 100-km square designation (e.g., LC, XN), and a 4-digit number. The first 2 digits of the number represent the 1,000-meter Easting and the second 2 digits the 1,000-meter Northing, as seen in the example Easting and Northing. Unlike latitude and longitude, the National Grid is rectilinear on a flat map, the units of abscissa and ordinate have equal lengths, and the units (meters) are measurable on the ground with a tape or by pacing.
___There is no private or state land on this map. All the lands are public.
Deep Cirque Overlook Pond is in a marshy area on the hill on the west side of Stough Creek Basin about 450 m (1,480′) west of, and 100 m (330′) above, Footprint Lake (name used by WGF). It is about 2,400 m (7,870′) northwest of Stough Below the Moraine Pond. The pond is shown as an oval about 50 m (165′) long on the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle. Deep Cirque Overlook Pond has a great view of an unusually deep and narrow cirque which holds the tear-drop shaped Eyrie Lake (name used by WGF).
For access, see Cinquefoil Pond. Instead of continuing up Stough Creek to Cinquefoil Pond, turn west south of Shoal Lake (name used by WGF) and climb the hill above Footprint Lake (name used by WGF).
Elevation: 3,351 m (10,993′)
August 14, 1993
Eyrie Lake still has floating ice but it is nice and warm in the sun here.
- 30 m across; depth not estimated.
- Water is clear; 14 C at 1440.
- Abundant fairy shrimp; eggs not noted.
- Black beetles, backswimmers(?) (sub-order Heteroptera, family Notonectidae).
August 31, 2006
Not seeing many fairy shrimp on this trip but I’m hopeful they hatched in some of the ponds where they hatched before.
- Size and depth not estimated.
- Water clarity not noted.
- Fairy shrimp.
- Backswimmers (sub-order Heteroptera, family Notonectidae), beetles.
Shoal Lake Northwest Pond (Lander Ranger District, Shoshone National Forest; Popo Agie Wilderness)
Shoal Lake Northwest Pond is in a relatively flat area on the northwest side of Shoal Lake (name used by WGF) in Stough Creek Basin and about 150 m (490′) west of the lake’s outlet.
Shoal Lake Northwest Pond is not discernible on the USGS imagery of The National Map and the flat topography makes locating it on a map difficult. As a result, the location on the Cinquefoil Pond map and in the data spreadsheet may be off by 100 m.
For access, see Cinquefoil Pond. Shoal Lake Northwest Pond is well north of Cinquefoil Pond. To go to Cinquefoil Pond, one would cross Stough Creek north of Shoal Lake and hike up the east side of the lake. To find Shoal Lake Northwest Pond, don’t cross the creek and walk southwestward while staying 50-100 m (165′-330′) from the north shore of the lake.
Elevation: 3,225 m (10,581′)
August 14, 1993
With so many fabulous lakes and ponds in Stough Creek Basin, this is not impressive. But NPPWOPII.
- Size not noted but less than 50 m long; depth not estimated but shallow.
- Water is clear.
- Abundant fairy shrimp; eggs not noted.
- Other animals not noted.
View (in a previous year) to the north across Stough Creek Basin with Shoal Lake at center, Footprint Lake at left, and Cutthroat Lake at right (names used by WGF). Shoal Lake Northwest Pond is to the upper left of Shoal Lake in a treeless area in the shadow.
Hill 10,646 East Pond (Lander Ranger District, Shoshone National Forest; Popo Agie Wilderness)
Hill 10,646 East Pond is in Stough Creek Basin about 250 m (820′) south of Big Stough Lake (name used by WGF), the northernmost large lake in the basin. It is on the east side of a hill that has a spot elevation of 10,646 feet (3,245 m) on the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle. Its dimensions on that quadrangle are 350 m x 120 m (1,150′ x 390′). The elevation is low enough for the area to be wooded, unlike most of Stough Creek Basin.
For access, see Big Stough East Pond. Instead of crossing the outlet on the north side of Big Stough Lake, attempt to ford the creek between Big Stough Lake and Little Stough Lake. If that doesn’t look promising, you may find a better crossing between Little Stough Lake and Cutthroat Lake (names used by WGF). Go around the south side of hill 10,646 and then turn north to find the pond or go over the top for the view.
Elevation: 3,230 m (10,596′)
August 14, 1993
With the trees and milder climate here, maybe there is a different species of fairy shrimp.
- 120 m x 350 m based on the 7.5-minute quadrangle; depth not estimated.
- Water clarity not noted.
- No fairy shrimp.
- Amphipods.
Hill 10,646 South Pond (Lander Ranger District, Shoshone National Forest; Popo Agie Wilderness)
Hill 10,646 South Pond is in Stough Creek Basin next to Hill 10,646 East Pond and 480 m (1,570′) south of Big Stough Lake (name used by WGF). It is on the south side of a hill that has a spot elevation of 10,646 feet (3,245 m) on the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle. The pond dimensions are 150 m x 50 m (490′ x 160′) on the map.
For access, see Hill 10,646 East Pond.
Elevation: 3,218 m (10,559′)
August 14, 1993
No luck in Hill 10,646 East Pond. This one is ecologically similar but WIDLA.
- 50 m x 150 m based on the 7.5-minute quadrangle; depth not estimated.
- Water clarity not noted.
- No fairy shrimp.
- Amphipods.
East Side Cirque Pond (Lander Ranger District, Shoshone National Forest; Popo Agie Wilderness)
East Side Cirque Pond is in a small cirque on the east side of Stough Creek Basin above Cutthroat Lake (name used by WGF) and about 1,450 m (4,760′) south of Big Stough Lake, the northernmost large lake in Stough Creek Basin. The pond dimensions are 110 m x 40 m (360′ x 130′) on the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle.
For access, see Hill 10,646 East Pond. Go south along the shore of Cutthroat Lake and then follow the inlet up to East Side Cirque Pond.
Elevation: 3,252 m (10,671′)
August 14, 1993
Even if fish could get up the steep creek from Cutthroat Lake, this pond is likely shallow enough to freeze solid in winter.
- 50 m long; depth not estimated.
- Water is clear.
- Abundant fairy shrimp; eggs not noted.
- Abundant amphipods.
East Side Cirque Pond, looking northwest across the lower part of Stough Creek Basin. The lake in the distance is Cutthroat Lake (WGF).
Hidden Snowbank Pond (Lander Ranger District, Shoshone National Forest; Popo Agie Wilderness)
Hidden Snowbank Pond is about 1,450 m (4,760′) south of Big Stough Lake (name used by WGF) and a short distance up the hill west of East Side Cirque Pond. It is just below the saddle between 2 hills west of East Side Cirque Pond at a good location for a snow drift. It is fed by a snowbank that is visible only from the east.
Hidden Snowbank Pond is not shown on the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle and is not visible on USGS imagery of The National Map. However, the snowbank is on the image so the location on the Cinquefoil Pond map and in the data spreadsheet (on the Data page) is probably within 50 m (165′) of the actual location.
For access, see East Side Cirque Pond. Hidden Snowbank Pond is about 150 m (490′) west of East Side Cirque Pond.
Elevation: 3,269 m (10,723′)
August 14, 1993
Looks like melting snow would keep this pond going in most years.
- 25 m long; depth not estimated.
- Water is clear; 18 C at 1700.
- No fairy shrimp.
- Black beetles.
August 31, 2006
Another one dried up. So, no, the snowbank isn’t always enough.
- Dry.
Jim Creek Saddle Pond (Pinedale Ranger District, Bridger-Teton National Forest; Bridger Wilderness)
___This map is a screenshot of The National Map (Go to The National Map). The U.S. Geological Survey generally does not copyright or charge for its data or reports (unless printed). A pond location is indicated by an “X”, which corresponds to the coordinates given in the data spreadsheet. Labels in quotations are from 7.5-minute topographic quadrangles.
___Red lines are the U. S. National Grid with a spacing of 1,000 m and intersection labels consisting of the UTM zone (e.g., 11S, 12T), a 2-letter 100-km square designation (e.g., LC, XN), and a 4-digit number. The first 2 digits of the number represent the 1,000-meter Easting and the second 2 digits the 1,000-meter Northing, as seen in the example Easting and Northing. Unlike latitude and longitude, the National Grid is rectilinear on a flat map, the units of abscissa and ordinate have equal lengths, and the units (meters) are measurable on the ground with a tape or by pacing.
___There is no private or state land on this map. All the lands are public.
Jim Creek Saddle Pond is 38 km (24 miles) north of Pinedale and 7.7 km (5 miles) west of Squaretop Mountain. It is an elongate pond on the saddle at the head of Jim Creek, west of the peak with spot elevation 11,246 feet (3,428 m). The 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle shows it as a perennial lake about 120 m (390′) long and 40 m (130′) wide. It has no inlet and no outlet.
To reach the Jim Creek trail, turn north off US 191 6 miles west of Pinedale and follow Wyoming 352 toward “Green River Lakes” for approximately 23 miles. At the time of my visit, the little used road at Jim Creek was not well marked and there was no developed trailhead. The Jim Creek road is 2 miles north of the Boulder Creek crossing and 1 mile north of the Circle S Ranch. The Jim Creek Road climbs steeply up the hill on the north side of Jim Creek and I don’t recall how far it is passable. I vaguely remember parking at the turn-off from Wyoming 352 and hiking from there. The straight-line distance from Wyoming 352 to Jim Creek Saddle Pond is 8.6 km (5.3 miles) but the walking distance is obviously farther. The pond is less than 50 m (160′) east of the trail.
Elevation: 3,298 m (10,820′)
August 13, 2005
Just a day hike but at least I got far enough to find ponds without fish.
- 40 m x 120 m according to the 7.5-minute quadrangle; depth not estimated.
- Clear water.
- Fairy shrimp.
- Other animals not noted.
Jim Creek First Pond (Pinedale Ranger District, Bridger-Teton National Forest; Bridger Wilderness)
Jim Creek First Pond is 400 m (1,310′) northwest of, and lower than, Jim Creek Saddle Pond. It is the first, or uppermost, pond on Jim Creek. The 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle does not show a creek above it. The pond has a teardrop shape with dimensions of 100 m x 90 m (330′ x 295′) on the map.
For access, see Jim Creek Saddle Pond. Jim Creek First Pond should be visible from the trail north of Jim Creek Saddle Pond.
Elevation: 3,240 m (10,629′)
August 13, 2005
If one pond has fairy shrimp, it’s worth looking in others nearby even if I have to lose elevation to do it.
- 90 m x 100 m according to the 7.5-minute quadrangle; depth not estimated.
- Clear water.
- No fairy shrimp.
- Amphipods.
Spot 10,672 Pond (Pinedale Ranger District, Bridger-Teton National Forest; Bridger Wilderness)
Spot 10,672 Pond is southeast of Jim Creek Saddle Pond and west of Peak 11,246 South Pond in a small basin at the head of a tributary stream of Jim Creek. I don’t recall what topographic feature the spot elevation is for but it must be relatively distiinctive.
Spot 10,672 Pond is a very small pond that is not shown on the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle and is not visible on the USGS imagery of The National Map. Consequently, its precise location is uncertain. My notes say only that it is east of spot elevation 10,672 (3,250 m) on the 7.5-minute quadrangle. My guess is that the pond is within 200 m (660′) of the spot elevation. The location uncertainty is less than that.
For access, see Jim Creek Saddle Pond. The spot elevation is less than 550 m (1,800′) west of Peak 11,246 South Pond so Spot 10,672 Pond shouldn’t be hard to find. It may be visible from the trail due to its lower elevation.
Elevation: 3,254 m (10,677′)
August 13, 2005
I probably saw the pond from the trail or I would have stayed on the trail.
- Probably less than 30 m across; depth not estimated.
- Clear water.
- Fairy shrimp.
- Other animals not noted.
Peak 11,246 South Pond (Pinedale Ranger District, Bridger-Teton National Forest; Bridger Wilderness)
Peak 11,246 South Pond is about 750 m (2,460′) southeast of Jim Creek Saddle Pond and 630 m (2,070′) south of the peak with spot elevation 11,246 feet (3,428 m). It is about 200 m (660′) north of the Jim Creek trail before it drops down into the Porcupine Creek drainage. On the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle, the pond is 90 m x 50 m (300′ x 165′).
For access, see Jim Creek Saddle Pond. Follow the trail south from Jim Creek Saddle Pond and turn east, up the hill, when the trail turns to the south.
Elevation: 3,279 m (10,759′)
August 13, 2005
Another pond, another chance for fairy shrimp. I think I must have climbed the knoll south of the pond for the view and to see where the trail was going. The pond would be easily visible from there.
- 50 m x 90 m according to the 7.5-minute quadrangle; depth not estimated.
- Clear water.
- No fairy shrimp.
- Black diving beetles.
Peak 11,107 Northeast Pond (Pinedale Ranger District, Bridger-Teton National Forest; Bridger Wilderness)
Peak 11,107 Northeast Pond is 1,700 m (5,580′) southeast of Jim Creek Saddle Pond and 300 m (2,070′) northeast of the summit of the peak with spot elevation 11,107 feet (3,385 m). At the saddle on the Jim Creek – Porcupine Divide, a trail branches to the south off the Jim Creek trail. This trail goes over the hill with spot elevation 11,107 feet and eventually drops down into Dodge Creek. The pond is easily visible from this trail and less than 100 m (330′) north of the trail. The pond is 180 m x 90 m (600′ x 300′) on the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle,
For access, see Jim Creek Saddle Pond. Turn off the Jim Creek trail south of Peak 11,246 South Pond and follow the trail to Dodge Creek over the hill with spot elevation 11,107 feet.
Elevation: 3,328 m (10,920′)
August 13, 2005
I was feeling pretty good about finding 2 ponds with fairy shrimp and decided to cap off the hike with a view down Porcupine Creek and over toward Squaretop Mountain. I was quite tired by the time I got a good view of Squaretop. Then I looked down into the canyon of Porcupine Creek and I saw the pond. It was quite an elevation drop but not too far away and only a short distance off the trail. I decided to go down for a look. It proved to be an exhausting day of fairy shrimping. I write this not as a complaint but as a warning. If you start searching for fairy shrimp, you, too, may end up pushing yourself to check out just one more pond, and then another until your legs turn to rubber and you end up staggering out in the dark.
- 90 m x 180 m according to the 7.5-minute quadrangle; depth not estimated.
- Clear water.
- No fairy shrimp.
- Amphipods.
Wind River Peak Ponds (Lander Ranger District, Shoshone National Forest; Popo Agie Wilderness)
___This map is a screenshot of The National Map (Go to The National Map). The U.S. Geological Survey generally does not copyright or charge for its data or reports (unless printed). A pond location is indicated by an “X”, which corresponds to the coordinates given in the data spreadsheet. Labels in quotations are from 7.5-minute topographic quadrangles.
___Red lines are the U. S. National Grid with a spacing of 1,000 m and intersection labels consisting of the UTM zone (e.g., 11S, 12T), a 2-letter 100-km square designation (e.g., LC, XN), and a 4-digit number. The first 2 digits of the number represent the 1,000-meter Easting and the second 2 digits the 1,000-meter Northing, as seen in the example Easting and Northing. Unlike latitude and longitude, the National Grid is rectilinear on a flat map, the units of abscissa and ordinate have equal lengths, and the units (meters) are measurable on the ground with a tape or by pacing.
___There is no private or state land on this map. All the lands are public.
Wind River Peak Ponds are a group of ponds I visited over a couple of days to try to find as many fairy shrimp populations as possible. They are generally east and southeast of Wind River Peak, which is 35 km (21.5 miles) southwest of Lander. Most of the ponds are in the Tayo Creek drainage and north of Tayo Creek but the Upper “Ice Lakes” ponds are above the “Ice Lakes” in the Deep Creek drainage. I took minimal notes so sizes are taken from the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle. All but 4 of the ponds are shown on that map. None of the ponds are named on the 7.5-minute quadrangle. Wind River Peak Ponds range in elevation from 3,070 m to 3,420 m (10,070-11,220′). Coordinates and elevations for each pond are given in the data spreadsheet on the Data page.
Wind River Peak Ponds are accessible from the Tayo Creek trail and the Ice Lakes trail. These trails, in turn, can be reached by way of the Middle Fork Popo Agie River trail with a trailhead at the end of the Sinks Canyon Road (Wyoming 131) or by the Roaring Fork trail with a trailhead at Worthen Meadows, which is off the “Louis Lake” Loop Road. I think I camped at Tayo Park.
August 29, 2006
This time of year is not ideal due to the shorter days but it’s probably too early for snowstorms.
- Tayo Fork Pond: about 50 m off the channel of the north fork of Tayo Creek, which is not named on the 7.5-minute quadrangle, and adjacent to Tayo Fork Channel Pond; 35 m x 120 m, no fairy shrimp.
- Tayo Fork Channel Pond: on the channel of the north fork of Tayo Creek just above the fork to Lower Tayo Lake (name used by WGF); less than 50 m across, no fairy shrimp.
- North Tayo West Side Small Pond: the smaller and northern of 2 ponds west of a split in north fork Tayo Creek above the fork to Lower Tayo Lake; likely pond size is 35 m x 70 m but there is no water.
- North Tayo West Side Big Pond: the larger and southern of 2 ponds west of a split in north fork Tayo Creek; 50 m x 110 m, no fairy shrimp.
- North Tayo Canyon Pond: on the low part of a ridge between 2 branches of north fork Tayo Creek, not shown on map so location on map and in data spreadsheet (on the Data page) could be off by 100 m; less than 30 m across, has fairy shrimp, backswimmers.
- Tayo Bench East Pond: on the wide bench half way up the north side of Tayo Creek canyon above “Poison Lake” and source of western stream to “Poison Lake” North Lake; 30 m x 100 m, has fairy shrimp.
- Tayo Bench Middle Pond: on the wide bench half way up the north side of Tayo Creek canyon above “Poison Lake”; 25 m x 70 m, no fairy shrimp.
- Tayo Bench West Pond: on the wide bench half way up the north side of Tayo Creek canyon above “Poison Lake” and on the creek from North Tayo Lower Cirque Pond; 70 m x 110 m, no fairy shrimp, amphipods, beetles.
- North Tayo Cirque Lower Pond: in the cirque at the head of north fork Tayo Creek which is east of the bigger cirque with Upper Tayo Lake (name used by WGF); 130 m x 190 m, no fairy shrimp, amphipods.
- North Tayo Cirque Upper Pond: in the cirque at the head of north fork Tayo Creek which is east of the bigger cirque with Upper Tayo Lake, and upstream from North Tayo Lower Cirque Pond; 60 m x 70 m, no fairy shrimp.
- North Tayo Other Source Pond: 350 m west of North Tayo Cirque Upper Pond and the source of another branch of north fork Tayo Creek; 60 m x 170 m, no fairy shrimp, overgrown with vegetation.
- Upper “Ice Lakes” First Lake: biggest and uppermost lake south of the named “Ice Lakes”; 270 m x 430 m, no fairy shrimp.
- Upper “Ice Lakes” Second Lake: downstream of Upper “Ice Lakes” First Lake; 100 m x 290 m, no fairy shrimp.
- Upper “Ice Lakes” Third Lake: downstream of Upper “Ice Lakes” Second Lake; 140 m x 230 m, no fairy shrimp.
- Upper “Ice Lakes” Long Pond: downstream of Upper “Ice Lakes” Third Lake; 35 m x 110 m, no fairy shrimp.
- Upper “Ice Lakes” Round Pond: downstream of Upper “Ice Lakes” Long Pond; 50 m x 60 m, no fairy shrimp.
- Upper “Ice Lakes” Off Stream Pond: 100 m east of Upper “Ice Lakes” Round Pond; pond size less than 30 m across, dry.
- Upper “Ice Lakes” Fourth Lake (has spot elevation 10,773 feet on the 7.5-minute quadrangle): downstream of Upper “Ice Lakes” Round Pond; 130 m x 240 m, no fairy shrimp, amphipods.
- Upper “Ice Lakes” Overgrown Pond: at source of stream east of Upper “Ice Lakes” stream; 60 m x 130 m, no fairy shrimp, overgrown with vegetation.
- Ice Lakes Trail Pond #1: along trail in saddle 1.4 km northwest of Tayo Park, not shown on map so location on map and in data spreadsheet could be off by 100 m; less than 30 m across, no fairy shrimp.
- Ice Lakes Trail Ponds #2, #3, #4: at upper end of stream northwest of Tayo Park; less than 30 m across, no fairy shrimp.
- Tayo Park Northwest Ponds #1, #2, #3: at upper end of eastern stream to “Poison Lake” North Lake and 1 km northwest of Tayo Park; less than 50 m across, no fairy shrimp.
Upper “Ice Lakes” Fourth Lake on a September hike in a previous year after the first snow but before a big snow. Wind River Peak is at upper left.
August 30, 2006
- “Poison Lake” Outlet Pond: less than 100 m southeast of the outlet of “Poison Lake”, not shown on map so location on map and in data spreadsheet (on the Data page) could be off by 100 m; less than 30 m across, has fairy shrimp.
- “Poison Lake” East Lake: 650 m east of “Poison Lake”; 85 m x 170 m, no fairy shrimp.
- “Poison Lake” North Hill East Pond: on hill between “Poison Lake” and “Poison Lake” North Lake, not shown on map so location on map and in data spreadsheet could be off by 100 m; less than 30 m across, no fairy shrimp.
- “Poison Lake” North Hill West Pond: on hill between “Poison Lake” and “Poison Lake” North Lake, not shown on map so location on map and in data spreadsheet could be off by 100 m; pond area less than 30 m across but dry.
- “Poison Lake” North Lake: 800 m north of “Poison Lake”; 110 m x 410 m, no fairy shrimp.
- “Poison Lake” North Overgrown Pond: on stream west of “Poison Lake” North Lake; 50 m x 120 m, no fairy shrimp, overgrown with vegetation.
- “Coon Lake” Cirque Pond: in small cirque 600 m north of “Coon Lake”; 25 m x 100 m, no fairy shrimp (Little Sandy Overlook Pond map).
Of the 33 Wind River Peak Ponds I looked at, 3 had fairy shrimp. I noted amphipods in 3 ponds and none of those had fairy shrimp.
Tayo Park, which is about 1.5 km (0.9 miles) northeast of “Poison Lake” Outlet Pond. The view is to the southwest on a September day of a previous year. Mt. Nystrom in the background has new snow.
The view from Roaring Fork Mountain on the hike out to Worthen Meadow Reservoir on an August day in a previous year. Looking northwest, Wind River Peak is at left and the angular Lizard Head Peak at right. The Wind River Peak Ponds of the Tayo Creek and Deep Creek drainages that I looked at are generally in the left half of the middle distance and closer to Wind River Peak than to the photographer.
Little Stough West Pond (Lander Ranger District, Shoshone National Forest; Popo Agie Wilderness)
Little Stough West Pond is in Stough Creek Basin less than 50 m (165′) west of Little Stough Lake (name used by WGF), which is the second lake encountered along the trail into the basin from the north. Little Stough West Pond has an elongate shape and dimensions of 100 m x 35 m (330′ x 110′) on the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle. Little Stough West Pond is not connected to Little Stough Lake.
For access, see Big Stough East Pond. Instead of going around the north side of Big Stough Lake to go to Big Stough East Pond, follow the trail along the west shore of the lake to the south.
Elevation: 3,201 m (10,503′)
August 31, 2006
The pond is almost dry.
- Size and depth not estimated.
- Water is clear.
- No fairy shrimp.
- Other animals not noted.
Stough Off Channel Pond (Lander Ranger District, Shoshone National Forest; Popo Agie Wilderness)
Deep Cirque Overlook Pond map or Cinquefoil Pond map
Stough Off Channel Pond is east of Stough Creek about 525 m (1,720′) south of Shoal Lake (name used by WGF) in the northern part of Stough Creek Basin. It is east of Footprint Lake (name used by WGF). It has dimensions of 100 m x 60 m (330′ x 200′) on the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle.
For access, see Cinquefoil Pond. Stough Off Channel Pond is about 70 m (230′) east of Stough Creek about half way between Shoal Lake and the creek’s sharp bend to the east toward Black Rock Lake (name used by WGF).
Elevation: 3,253 m (10,673′)
August 31, 2006
The pond doesn’t appear to be connected to Stough Creek so maybe fish can’t get here.
- Likely smaller than the 60 m x 100 m shown on the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle; depth not estimated.
- Water is clear.
- Fairy shrimp.
- Backswimmers.
What Can We Learn from the Ponds in the Wind River Mountains?
Fish-stocking has made almost all of the lakes and many of the ponds in the Wind River Mountains uninhabitable by fairy shrimp. That still leaves hundreds of ponds and a few lakes without fish as potential fairy shrimp habitat.
In my haphazard, non-random searches for fairy shrimp, I found fairy shrimp present at least once in 23 ponds and absent from 67 other ponds (including 2 that were dry during the only visit). These results are biased by my tendency to not record ponds where I did not see fairy shrimp. In the 2 cases where I recorded every pond visited, 16% of Medina Mountain ponds and 10% of the Wind River Peak ponds had fairy shrimp. Those chances could be improved by omitting overgrown ponds and small ponds in streams.
Of the specimens I collected from alpine habitats, DB identified only Branchinecta coloradensis. After the first specimens from Bivouac Lake had been identified, I usually made an effort to see if newly discovered fairy shrimp looked like those in Bivouac Lake based on observations using a binocular microscope or a 10X magnifying glass. It appeared to me that the following 13 other ponds also had B. coloradensis.
- Boulder Bog Pond
- Cinquefoil Pond
- “Coon Lake” South Pond #1
- “Coon Lake” South Pond #2
- “Coon Lake” South Pond #3
- “Coon Lake” South Pond #4
- Deep Cirque Overlook Pond
- East Side Cirque Pond
- Little Sandy Overlook Pond
- Medina Mountain Pond #15
- Medina Mountain Pond #16
- Medina Mountain Pond #21
- Shoal Lake Northwest Pond
“Coon Lake” South Pond #2 additionally had what looked to me like Branchinecta paludosa. Specimens collected from 3 of these ponds were later confirmed to be B. coloradensis by DB. This preponderance of B. coloradensis differs from the Snowy Range, where B. coloradensis and B. paludosa appear to be similarly abundant (based on a sample size of 7).
I generally avoided big water bodies due to the possible presence of fish. I nonetheless looked in 36 where I estimated the maximum dimension to be 100 m (330′) or more. I saw fairy shrimp in 4 of those. Bivouac Lake is the largest water body with fairy shrimp that I know of and it is has a maximum dimension 190 m (620′). I found fairy shrimp there on all 4 of my visits. These cases prove that fairy shrimp populations can persist in large, permanent, alpine water bodies. It is likely then that fairy shrimp did once inhabit some of the lakes in the Wind River Mountains where fish have been introduced.
Repeated observations indicate that some fairy shrimp populations hatch every year that water is available.
- Bivouac Lake in 1985, 1986, 1987, and 1993.
- “Coon Lake” South Pond #2 in 1987, 1989, and 2006.
- Deep Cirque Overlook Pond in 1993 and 2006.
Populations in other ponds hatched less regularly or I failed to see them during my visits.
- “Coon Lake” South Pond #1 – 1987 but not 1989.
- Little Sandy Overlook Pond – 1987 but not 1989 or 2006.
- Cinquefoil Pond – 1993 but not 2006.
Even ponds in alpine terrains can dry up. “Coon Lake” South Pond #1, Pond #3, and Pond #4 had fairy shrimp in 1987 but were dry in 2006. Similarly, Boulder Bog Pond had fairy shrimp in 1993 but was dry in 2006. The proportion of ponds that could dry up is probably small but a dry year would reduce the chances of finding fairy shrimp to some extent.
I did a poor job of recording animals other than fairy shrimp but some observations are better than none. Several ponds had invertebrate predators that might constrain the distribution of fairy shrimp.
- I saw amphipods in 10 ponds and only 1 of those had fairy shrimp.
- I saw backswimmers (sub-order Heteroptera, family Notonectidae) in 8 ponds and 5 of those had fairy shrimp.
- I saw dytiscid larvae (order Coleoptera, family Dytiscidae) in only 3 ponds and 2 of those had fairy shrimp.
- I saw “beetles” in 10 ponds and 5 of those had fairy shrimp. I couldn’t identify the “beetles” so some may have been mature dytiscids.
Of the list above, amphipods are the most concerning. I didn’t see frogs in the Wind River Mountains but one lower elevation pond had salamanders and no fairy shrimp.
There are many good reasons to visit the Wind River Mountains but you can add fairy shrimping if you need an additional nudge. Conversely, if you can’t get motivated for fairy shrimp, go to the Wind River Mountains for the scenic splendor and then have a look in a pond or 2 while you filter some water or catch your breath. The water is clear, there is no sticky mud, and many ponds are small enough for a thorough search in 15 minutes or less.
In the Wind River Mountains, you can chose the level of exertion for your fairy shrimp searches. There are many ponds in valleys close to trails and many more off trail and high up a mountain. “Poison Lake” Outlet Pond (Wind River Peak Ponds) is in the easier category. To reach the fairy shrimp in Deep Cirque Overlook Pond or Tayo Bench East Pond (Wind River Peak Ponds) would require considerably more effort but they are still not that far from a trail and a decent camping spot.
Anostracan species identified by Denton Belk are:
Branchinecta coloradensis – Bivouac Lake, “Coon Lake” South Pond #1, “Coon Lake” South Pond #3, Medina Mountain Pond #16.
Streptocephalus seali – “Fremont Lake” Moraine Pond.