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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I EXECUTIVESU~RY F our native fish are now endangered in the upper Colorado River Basin: razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus), Colorado squawfish (Ptychocheilus lucius), bonytai1 (Gila elegans), and humpback chub (G. cypha). In an coordinated effort to recover these endangered species, The Recovery Implementation Program for the Endangered Fishes of the Upper Colorado River basin began in 1987. One goal of the Recovery Implementation Program is to conserve genetic variability of wild endangered fish stocks through recovery efforts that will reestablish viable wild stocks by removing or significantly reducing the limiting factors that caused population declines. Captive propagation will be required for some species or stocks because of inadequate recruitment in the wild (Wydowski 1994). Three facilities have been constructed in the Grand Valley, near Grand Junction Colorado. The Grand Valley Propagation Facilities include HorsethiefRefugia Ponds, the 24 Road Hatchery, and Clymer's grow-out pond. HorsethiefRefugia Ponds are located in Horsethief State Wildlife Area near Fruita Colorado, and were constructed in 1992 to serve as refugia and hold brood stock of native endangered fish. Four species of native Colorado River endangered fish are currently being reared there. The Recovery Programs Coordinated Hatchery Facility Plan (Wydowski 1994) outlined the need for additional propagation facilities to produce Colorado River endangered fish. Several options to meet this need were explored. Ultimately, the Bureau of Reclamation donated an existing warehouse at 1149 24 Road, Grand Junction, Colorado, and remodeled it to accommodate a hatchery complete with a water reuse system. This facility was created to rear endangered fish produced from broodstock at Horsethief The hatchery was completed in April 1996 and is now in its second season of operation. The 1996-year -class razorbacks have all been stocked into the Gunnison or San Juan rivers, or are being held at Horsethief as future brood stock. Razorback suckers from the 1997 year class are currently being reared at the 24 Road Hatchery. Clymer's pond is owned by The Bureau of Reclamation and is located near the confluence of the Gunnison and Colorado Rivers. Work on the pond to regrade the bottom and isolate it from the river was completed in the fall of 1995. The pond is used as a grow-out facility for fish from the 24 Road Hatchery to be stocked and held in until released into the wild. The pond was first stocked with razorback suckers from the 24 Road Hatchery in 1996. In September of 1997, the pond was drained and the surviving razorbacks were collected and stocked into the Gunnison and San Juan rivers. -lV-