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<br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />SUMMARY <br /> <br />Razorback suckers were stocked and successfully reared in ponds at the Lake Powell National <br />Golf Course. The fish originated from stock that were hatched in 1993 at the Ouray National Fish <br />Hatchery located in Vernal, Utah. Fish were stocked at numbers low enough that feeding and <br />other hatchery associated maintenance was not necessary. Occasionally some fish were captured <br />to monitor growth and overall condition and water parameter data was also collected. Mortality <br />was minimal and suckers grew from an average length of less than 115 mm to nearly 360 mm in <br />12 months. <br /> <br />Water quality was generally good, however, under certain conditions dissolved oxygen and <br />possibly pH could be considered marginal. Water conditions could worsen and possibly prove <br />fatal to fish if the water supply or aeration system failed for any length oftime. However, these <br />same concerns and problems exist at hatchery facilities. Some mortality should be expected but <br />inexpensive steps could be taken to safeguard fish health. If the conditions we witnessed <br />continue, the ponds could prove to be an effective, low cost alternative to more expensive, <br />hatchery rearing facilities. We estimate that 300-500, 30 cm fish could be raised per year. The <br />project also provides an excellent opportunity for public education, student programs and <br />volunteerism on endangered fish and other environmental programs. <br /> <br />We recommend the National Park Service and Fish and Wildlife Service take the lead to <br />determine if a formalized agreement could be developed with Lake Powell National Golf Course <br />for the purpose of rearing endangered fish. If such an agreement could be developed, other <br />agencies, such as FWS, Utah Department of Natural Resources, Arizona Game and Fish <br />Department, and the Navaho Nation may also be interested in participating. <br /> <br />11 <br />