Healing and the Henry’s Fork

Home » Blog » Healing and the Henry’s Fork

Photo courtesy of Tom and Terri Rossi

As scientists, we know that cold, clear water is crucial for trout. But what if it could do more than sustain life—it could heal?

Tom and Terri Rossi discovered the magic of the Henry’s Fork on their very first visit. So much so, that when they adopted an energetic Australian Shepherd, they knew his name had to be “Henry’s Gone Fishing”—or simply, Henry. But Henry wasn’t just a playful pup. He had a genetic condition that caused seizures. After some research, the Rossi’s learned that cold water could stop a seizure. And so, Henry became a dock diving dog—a natural athlete who leaped into water after a toy, quickly making friends wherever he went. If anyone asked where Henry was, the answer was always, “Henry’s Gone Fishing.”

This story of Henry highlights something we all know: time spent in and around water offers more than just beauty—it offers healing. When we fight for places like the Henry’s Fork, we’re not just preserving a landscape; we’re protecting the profound, life-giving benefits it provides to both animals and humans alike.

That’s why the Henry’s Fork Foundation is working tirelessly to protect this treasured river through the DIRTT Plan (Developing Infrastructure to Reduce Temperature and Turbidity). This groundbreaking initiative combines innovative engineering and nature-based solutions to tackle the river’s toughest challenges and ensure it remains a healing force for generations to come.

The DIRTT Plan will help:

  • Cooler Water: Lower temperatures in the iconic Ranch Reach, critical for trout.
  • Clearer Waters: Reducing turbidity events that impact fishing and aquatic life.
  • More Habitat: Increasing dissolved oxygen to create vibrant ecosystems for fish and insects.

 

The Henry’s Fork isn’t just a river—it’s a source of healing for body, mind, and spirit. With your support, we can ensure that it continues to heal for years to come.

Facebook
LinkedIn
Pinterest

Recent Posts

General
Jasper Davis

Island Park Reservoir Current Conditions (9/4/26)

Why is Island Park Reservoir getting so low? Simply put, this has been an exceptionally low-water year. There isn’t enough natural flow to meet all of the basin’s needs without drawing down reservoirs. Water managers are working together to deliver water that is legally owed downstream while preserving as much as possible for next year. What should anglers expect below Island Park Dam? As Island Park Reservoir drops too low for the hydropower plant to

Read More »
Water Quality
Christina Morrisett

September 2026 Water Quality Forecast for Island Park

Photo of Island Park Reservoir taken Friday, August 28, 2026 The ingredients for green algae blooms, the primary culprit for turbid water in Island Park, stacked up one after the other earlier this spring. Warm air temperatures. Low streamflow. Long, sunny days. And an ice-free reservoir 30 days earlier than normal. At the Henry’s Fork Foundation, where we swim in water data daily, we braced ourselves for the water quality worst-case scenario: another summer with

Read More »
Frequently Asked Questions
Christina Morrisett

FAQ: Island Park Reservoir Water Quality

Island Park Reservoir on June 24, 2026 Questions answered in this article: Why are Island Park Reservoir levels so low this year? Is Island Park Reservoir hyper-eutrophic? Are silt and sediment building up behind the dam?   Island Park Reservoir is the center of the Henry’s Fork universe. Reservoir water quality and quantity shape our fisheries, and your fishing experience. But after a warm winter and lower-than-average snowfall, we’ve received a lot of questions about

Read More »
A river surrounded by snow. There are rocks in the foreground pillowy with snow. The river flows from right to left in the middle. On the other side sits needled trees and a snow covered bank. The photo almost appears to be black and white.
Research and Monitoring
Christina Morrisett

Following the Snowmelt: From Mountains to Rivers

Eastern Idaho just had its warmest winter on record—and a changing climate may mean more warm winters to come. Warm winters have big implications for our snowpack, and consequently, the water that supports our fisheries. How? Snowstorms build mountain snowpacks. When a snowpack melts, some of the water is absorbed by soil, recharging groundwater and giving thirsty plants a drink. The rest of the water runs into rivers and reservoirs. In the winter, our mountain

Read More »