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Last modified
7/14/2009 5:02:31 PM
Creation date
5/18/2009 12:43:45 AM
Metadata
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Template:
UCREFRP
UCREFRP Catalog Number
7822
Author
Miller, W. H., et al.
Title
Colorado River Fishery Project, Part I, Summary Report.
USFW Year
1982.
USFW - Doc Type
(contract no. 9-07-40-L-1016 with the Bureau of Reclamation),
Copyright Material
NO
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The largest existing population of bonytail chub is found in Lake Mohave <br />in the Lower Basin. The bonytail chub have been artifically propagated <br />in the hatchery where they have produced offspring. At this date it <br />appears doubtful that the bonytail chub will survive without intensive <br />species management. <br />Razorback suckers, like the bonytail, are rare in the Upper Basin. <br />However, a few razorbacks were observed at spawning time near the Ashley <br />Creek confluence on the Green River, the Walker Wildlife Area, and a <br />gravel pit on the Colorado River near Clifton, Colorado. Reproduction <br />seems to be a major problem and no young razorback have been recorded <br />from the Upper Colorado River in recent years. Almost all fish observed <br />in this study were old individuals. Competition with exotics appears <br />to be a serious problem for the razorback, although only limited data <br />collected during this study and observations recorded in Lower Basin work <br />supports that conclusion. Again, the survival of razorbacks will proba- <br />bly require some intensive species management. <br />Recommendations <br />Any program developed to protect the rare Colorado River endemic <br />fishes should focus on three concerns. First, the protection of existing <br />spawning and rearing areas; second, the continued development of habitat <br />improvement areas with associated facilities to ensure propagation and <br />management of the species, in case natural production fails; and third, <br />protection and maintenance of migration routes for Colorado squawfish to <br />ensure access to spawning, feeding, and rearing areas. <br />A Colorado River endangered fish monitoring program which would <br />evaluate recommended river flow requirements and the use of specific <br />natural and man-made areas by endemic fishes is required. These studies <br />should be reduced in scope to verify flow needs and assess existing <br />reproductive success on known spawning areas. Further, the studies would <br />help arrive at some practical solutions for the propagation of rare <br />fishes which may need intensive management. Potential problems relating <br />to hybridization of chubs may also require monitoring. <br />Minimum instantaneous flow requirements at selected sites for the <br />Colorado squawfish and humpback chub are presented in the table on the <br />following page. These minimums are based upon computer simulation, <br />physical habitat modeling, and actual flow for 1979-81. The flow of the <br />river at these selected points should not fall below the required level <br />to ensure the present levels of reproductive success. However, it should <br />be noted that the Colorado squawfish populations in many areas are <br />decreasing under present conditions and additional measures will need to <br />be implemented to stabilize or increase the numbers of this endangered <br />species. <br />• Any future water development program in the Colorado River system <br />should be compatible with the known requirements of the endangered Colo- <br />rado River fishes. The Fish and Wildlife Service is presently developing <br />a conservation plan to provide guidance for future management of the <br />endangered Colorado River fishes. We believe that eventually a manage- <br />ment program including habitat improvement, a hatchery, and stocking will <br />be required for some, if not all, of these endangered fishes. <br />2
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