8118

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 8118
• Author: Mueller, G. and E. Wick.
• Title: Testing of Golf Course Ponds at Page, Arizona for Suitability as Grow-Out Facility for Razorback Sucker Using Surplus Fish from Ouray National Fish Hatchery.
• USFW Year: 1998.
• USFW - Doc Type: Denver, CO.
• Copyright Material: NO

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INTRODUCTION

The razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus) is in serious decline throughout the Colorado River
Basin. Restoring fish numbers in their former range is a major objective currently being attempted
in both upper and lower basins. The availability of wild fish for brood stock is limited in the upper
basin. Larval collection techniques have been developed which allow for the collection,
identification, and sorting of razorback sucker larvae in the field ( Muth and Wick 1997). It was
our hope that wild larvae could be captured and reared in low cost facilities for further
propagation and research needs. Golf course or similar municipal ponds could meet those needs.

During the past two decades, literally millions of small razorback suckers have been stocked in
the wild resulting in little or no survival. Studies have identified that predation is a serious
problem (Marsh and Brooks 1989). Exotic fish control is costly and thought to be impractical or
unnecessary by many. Survival of stocked razorback suckers can be improved by rearing and
stocking larger fish. During the past few years, larger fish have been stocked in both riverine
and reservoir habitats that have survived (Ryder 1997, Marsh 1997). The stocking philosophy has
shifted from one of stocking thousands of small fish, to stocking fewer, but larger fish (Mueller
1995, Ryder 1997). Hatcheries can produce unlimited numbers offish, however, the primary
problem in meeting stocking criteria is finding the pond space necessary to produce adequate
numbers of large fish. Existing hatcheries are at, or exceed, designed capacities and funding
simply isn't available to construct new rearing facilities.

The Native Fish Work Group, Bureau of Reclamation (NFWG BOR) and Fish and Wildlife
Service (FWS) started to explore the use of golf course ponds as alternate rearing sites for
razorback suckers several years ago. Agreements have been formalized among those agencies
which allow biologists access to golf course ponds. The program has been quite successful. Not
only are fish being reared cheaply, but municipalities and the public have become more involved in
recovering these fish.

The Endangered Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River basin and the San Juan Recovery
Program have identified and designed augmentation programs (USFWS 1992, USFWS 1994,
Ryder 1997). These programs have acknowledged increased survival by stocking larger fish.
The stocking criteria specified in the draft augmentation plan for the San Juan River sets a
stocking size of at least 40 cm. The plan acknowledges that neither funding nor rearing space is
presently available to meet production goals. Municipal ponds could be used to help reach these
goals.

Methods and Results

The Lake Powell National Golf Course (LPNGC) facility is owned and operated by the city of
Page, Arizona. The course is located along the Colorado River rim along Highway 89.
Landscaping included the construction of two small ponds (1.1 and 2.3 acres) that not only

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