8010

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 8010
• Author: Montagne, M.
• Title: The Grand Valley Propagation Facilities - 1997 Annual Report.
• USFW Year: 1998.
• USFW - Doc Type: Grand Junction, CO.
• Copyright Material: NO

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INTRODUCTION

Four native fish are now endangered in the upper Colorado River Basin: razorback sucker
(Xyrauchen texanus), Colorado squawfish (Ptychocheilus lucius), bonytail (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 (Wydowski and Hamill 1991). The Recovery Program contains five major
elements: (1) provision of in stream flows, (2) habitat development and maintenance, (3) native
fish stocking, (4) management of non-native species and sportfishing, and (5) research,
monitoring, and data management.

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). Wydowski (1994) identified four propagation-related needs for the
Recovery Program: (1) Genetic refugia and broodstock development, (2) Research and
development, (3) Information and education, and (4) Augmentation or restoration stocking.
Refuges serve a vital function in maintaining endangered fish that may become extinct due to
declines in wild populations or from catastrophic risks and to hold fish for broodstock
development (Wydowski 1994). Of the four endangered fish, the razorback sucker has been
assigned the highest priority because stocks are declining rapidly and little or no recruitment has
been documented in the wild (Wydowski 1994).

To address these needs, 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.

The HorsethiefRefugia Ponds are located in Horsethief State Wildlife Area (SW A) near Fruita
Colorado, and were constructed in 1992 to serve as refugia and hold broodstock of native
endangered fish. Four species of native Colorado River endangered fish are currently being
reared there.

The Recovery Program's 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 built to rear 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 broodstock. Razorback suckers from
the 1997 year class are currently being reared at the 24 Road Hatchery.

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