WSP11103

• File Number: 8240.300.10
• Description: San Juan Recovery Implementation Program
• Basin: San Juan/Dolores
• Date: 2/1/1995
• Author: SJRIP
• Title: San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program - Program Document
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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3.0 RESEARCH AND RECOVERY ELEMENTS AND RECOVERY PROGRAM
IMPLEMENTATION

Given the common goal of conserving endangered fish species and
their habitats while water resource development proceeds in the
San Juan River basin consistent with applicable laws, a
comprehensive program is required to address both. All
Participants recognize that both the biological requirements of
the endangered fish species and the management of San Juan River
Basin waters are complex. Therefore, a broad range of measures
are proposed herein to enable a cooperative effort to identify
and quantify factors which limit the abundance and survival of
endangered fishes, to develop strategies to improve their status
and means to evaluate the success of such endeavors, and to
recover and delist the species under the authority of the
Endangered Species Act.

The essential research elements describe the basic research upon
which much of the subsequent research and recovery activities
will be based. The recovery elements define the major categories
of activities that will be conducted to recover endangered fish
species and maintain the native fish community in the San Juan
River basin. Research efforts will be directed toward obtaining
the information needed for identification of factors that might
act to limit the recovery of the Colorado squawfish and razorback
sucker. Based upon that information, an analysis of actions to
remove or diminish such limiting factors and promote recovery
will be accomplished. These actions will be considered,
evaluated, consulted upon, and implemented if found to be
necessary and effective. Such actions include but are not
limited to habitat modification (e.g., flow or non-flow induced
improvement of low velocity habitats or side channels) ,
artificial control of non-native species, artificial propagation
of native species for augmentation of existing natural
populations and reintroduction into historic habitat,
modification or removal of impediments to fish movement, and
improvement in water quality. Any action undertaken with the
goal of contributing to the recovery of the endangered fish
species will be closely monitored to evaluate the efficacy of the
approach.

3.1 ESSENTIAL RESEARCH FOR LONG RANGE PLAN AND PROGRAM GOAL
DEVELOPMENT

3.1.1 Statement of Problem

A small reproducing
the San Juan River.
squawfish have been
Bluff, Utah and the
1990, young of year

population of Colorado squawfish persists in
Since 1987, 21 adult specimens of Colorado
captured and several others observed between
Hogback, New Mexico. In 1987, 1988, and
squawfish were collected downstream of