7799

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7799
• Author: Modde, T. and D. Irving.
• Title: Conceptual Management Plan for Habitat Enhancement In Old Charley Wash.
• USFW Year: 1994.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

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SITE DESCRIPTION

Old Charley Wash is a 234 acre wetland located adjacent to the Green River at river mile 249.5. This

bottomland is part of a wetland complex located within the boundary of the Ouray National Wildlife Refuge

(Figure 1). Despite being a part of the refuge since 1960, Old Charley Wash is owned by the Unitah-Ouray

Ute Tribe. This property is leased under a 25 year agreement administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs

extending from 1990 to 2015. As part of the National Wildlife Refuge program, Old Charley Wash is currently

managed primarily to enhance aquatic migratory bird populations. However, the highest priority of the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service Refuge program is management for endangered species. If Old Charley Wash is

found to be an important habitat necessary for endangered fish species. then management for these fishes

will be incorporated into refuge operations.

The vegetation common in Old Charley Wash includes sago pond weed, Potamogeton pectinatus,

in the deeper regions, hard stem bulrush (Schoenoplectus acutus) and broodleaf cattail (Typha latifolia) in

the shallower areas. In addition, smart weed (Polygonum sp.) is an abundant plant species along the

margins and intermediate depths of the wetland. Invertebrate production in Old Charley Wash was reported

to be an order of magnitude higher than observed in adjacent riverine backwaters with mean benthic

densities ranging between 85,812 and 262,808 invertebrates per m3 of floodplain habitat (Maybe 1993).

Avian species observed in Old Charley Wash included white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos),

double breasted cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus), and great blue herons (Ardea herodias), as well as

other nonpiscivorous water birds. Cormorants and great blue herons have established rookeries adjacent

to Old Charley Wash. All three piscivorous species represent potential threats to juvenile and subadult fishes

occupying the wetland. On the upland areas adjacent to Old Charley Wash several endangered Unita Basin

hookless cactus (Sc/erocactus glaucus) plants reside. These rare plants are located outside of the

management influence of the wetland.

The dikes surrounding the Old Charley Wash are both of natural and man-made origin. The flood

pool elevation of the wetland is 4,655 fasl with a volume capacity of 640 acre feet (Figure 2). At this