8139

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 8139
• Author: McAda, C., C. Philips, C. R. Berry and R. S. Wydoski.
• Title: A Survey of Threatened and Endangered Fish in Southeastern Utah Streams.
• USFW Year: n.d.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

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roundtail chub, Virgin River spinedace and woundfin will probably be composed '
of similiar sections of the Virgin River. A significant portion of the ,
potential "Critical Habitat" for these species is found on or near National
Resource Lands. A review of stream classification indices for Utah waters '
revealed that long reaches of streams in southern Utah are considered either
""critical" or "high priority" for endangered or threatened species. '
Species lists and relative abundance of other fish species were also '
compiled. Common species recorded in downstream portions of most rivers
were the carp C rinus carpio), red shiner (Notropis lutrensisfathead '
minnow (Pimephales promelas), speckled dace (Rhinichthys osculusflannel-
mouth sucker (Catostomus latipinnis), bluehead sucker (C. discobolus) and
channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Salmonids, particularly cutthroat ,
(Salmo clarki) and rainbow trout S. gairdneri) as well as some suckers and
dace were usually found to inhabit upper regions of most drainages. There '
was an indication from the literature that introduced fish such as the carp,
red shiner, fathead and channel catfish were competing successfully with ,
native species. This indication was confirmed with field sampling. Moreover,
it appeared that native species dominated headwater areas while introduced
species dominated areas near the terminus of each river. This pattern was ,
especially apparent in the San Rafael, Fremont and Escalante Rivers.
More information was available on fish populations and habitat of the '
Virgin River than any other stream in the study area. Therefore, little '
effort was expended there during this study. The majority of collections
were made in the San Rafael, Dirty Devil and Escalante River basins because ,
of the limited information concerning these rivers. The Paria River,
the Dirty Devil River and a major tributary, Muddy Creek, contained limited '
fish habitat, consequently fish populations there were small. The Escalante ,
River basin contained the most diverse fish fauna, although several small