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<br />8. What work was done with these fish prior to the Recovery Program? <br /> <br />Researchers from various universities and state and federal agencies began gathering information <br />on these fish In the 1960s. But these Initial projects were conducted Independently of one <br />another. The first attempt to coordinate research projects throughout the Colorado River Basin <br />began in 1979 with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Colorado River Fisheries Project funded <br />by the Bureau of Reclamation. <br /> <br />These early rasearch efforts provided background Information that has been used to direct current <br />research projects. Since 1988, all research projects In the upper Colorado River Basin have been <br />coordinated by the Recovery Program. Also, funds from the program also are now being used to <br />. acquire Instream flows for the fish, Inform the public about endangered fish and improve methods <br />for raising endangered fish to be stocked In the wild. <br /> <br />9. Why does research take so long? <br /> <br />Steep canyon walls make much of the river system difficult to access. And there are only limited <br />numbers.of fi.sh.aY!lllab1e to study and thousands of miles. of turbid river to cover. As a result, <br />research projects can be quite costly and take several years to .complete; . <br /> <br />In the lower basin the long reach of river contained within the Grand Canyon is difficult to access . <br />and to sample efficiently. The reservoir system found from Lake Mead downstream presents large <br />expanses of water with low number of native fish, equally difficult to aample efficiently. <br /> <br />10. Which rivers are Included In the Colorado River System? <br /> <br />The upper Colorado River Basin Is upstream of Lake Powell In Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. <br />Major rivers Included are the Colorado, Gunnison, Dolores, White, Vampa, Little Snake, Green, <br />Duschene, Price, San Juan and San Rafael. The lower Colorado River system Includes Salt, Gila, <br />Virgin, Little Colorado, and Verde Rivers. <br /> <br />Rivers of the lower Colorado River Basin: Salt, Gila, Virgin, Uttle Colorado, and Verde system. <br /> <br />11. How will you know when the fish ani 1'8CO'I9red? <br /> <br />"Self-sustaining" populations of fish and natural habitat tei support them will signal recovery of the <br />fish; quantified goals for each species are being developed. Because the bonytail chub is so rare, <br />the immediate goal for this fish species Is to prevent extinction. <br />