3100

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 3100
• Author: Valdez, R. A.
• Title: Cataract Canyon Fish Study ‎(Fisheries Biology and Rafting)‎
• USFW Year: 1985.
• USFW - Doc Type: Final Report.
• Copyright Material: NO

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1-2

habitat for Colorado squawfish is not believed to be available in Lake
Powell, it is reasonable to look for spawning sites inunediately upstream.
The region of the Colorado River immediately upstream of Lake Powell is the
white-water section, Cataract Canyon, which is within Canyonlands Nationa.l
Park (Figure l).

Fisheries investigations in Cataract Canyon are not known before the
first CRFP sample effort in September 1979 (Valdez et ale 1982). A total
of four sample trips, each lasting 7 to 10 days, were conducted from 1979 to
1981. During these CRFP investigations, l8 Colorado squawfish and 1
humpback chub ,were taken in Cataract Canyon (confluence downstream to
Imperial Canyon). In December 1981, USFWS rel eased about 7,600 hatchery-
reared fingerl ing humpback chub into Cataract Canyon as an attempt to
establish a population in habitat that appeared suitable (Valentine 1983).
Each fish was marked with a small coded wire nose tag imbedded in the nasal
region.

Three other fish collection efforts have been made into Cataract
Canyon. The fi rst was by ERI in Apr il 1984 as pa rt 0 f a wa ter qual i ty study
for Canyonlands National Park (Carter et ale 1984). A total of 7 young
Colorado squawfish were captured at the mouths of Indian and Salt Creeks,
well above Cataract Canyon. Hi gh and turbul ent water cond itions prevented
extended sample efforts, although gill nets were set at Y Canyon that did
not yield any endangered fishes.

In September 1984, a joi nt USBR/USFWS sampl e effort was made through
Ca taract Canyon with an el ectro fi shi ng ra ft used for sampl i ng in the Grand
Canyon. A one-day effort yielded no endangered fish in Cataract Canyon.

In April 1984, USBR contracted ERI for an early spring sample effort
and scoping trip into Cataract Canyon. No endangered fish were captured
during the 5-day trip. High and turbulent water prevented effective
sampling and only gill nets were used.

Fish sampling in Cataract Canyon has been sparse and sporadic. The
turbul ent waters and dangerous rapids create difficult sampl e cond it ions.
The difficulty is enhanced by the logistical problems of accessing the
reg ion. Cataract Canyon has no access roads or even good tra il S. The onl y
access is via specially-equipped rubberized white-water rafts from launch
sites 50 miles upstream at either Potash on the Colorado River or Mineral
Bottom on the Green River. The entire trip from launch to takeout at Hitle
Marina on Lake Powell is nearly 100 miles long.