8134

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 8134
• Author: Valdez, R. A.
• Title: Significance of the Palisade to Grand Junction Reach of the Colorado River to the Endangered Fishes ERI ‎(C035-06)‎.
• USFW Year: 1985.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

2-1

2.0 INTRODUCTION

This document provides insight on,the significance of a IS-mile reach
of the Upper Colorado River to the endangered fi shes of that system. The
reach of river extends from the Grand Valley Canal downstream to the mouth
of the Gunnison River at Grand Junction, Colorado (Figure 2-1). The
endangered fishes include the Colorado squawfish (Ptychocheilus lucius,),
humpback chub (Gila CYPh:), and bony tail chub (Gila elegans). Also of
concern is the razorbac sucker (Xyrauchen texariUS) , a fish that is a
candidate for listing, but is not protected by the Endangered Species Act.

Recently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has proposed to
focus some of its studies on this reach of the Colorado River. This
document addresses the biological significance of that reach of river by
examining the known status and distribution of the endangered fishes
therein.