9304

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9304
• Author: Mueller, G., L. Boobar, R. Wydoski and K. Comella.
• Title: Aquatic Survey of the Lower Escalante River, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah; June 22-26, 1998.
• USFW Year: 1998.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I

INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with National Park Service, Fish and
Wildlife Service, and Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, has been studying the fish
communities found in the confluences and tributaries of Lake Powell, Utah. Research has
focussed on the native and non-native fish communities found at the confluence of the San Juan
River and Lake Powell, with specific interest in the endangered razorback sucker (Xyrauchen
texanus). These research tasks were finished in 1997 and remaining project resources were
refocused in 1998.

National Park Service requested that remaining resources and time be directed at the Escalante
River that lies within the boundaries of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The Escalante
River in an extremely remote stream with little known about its aquatic community. We know of
only one previous attempt to survey the lower river's fish community and that was conducted by
Dr. Paul Holden in the early 1970's before Lake Powell filled (1980).

An extensive baseline inventory would demand resources and time that far exceeds this study.
National Park Service (NPS) prepared ajoint, 5-year study proposal with the Grand Staircase-
Escalante National Monument (GLCA 1997). A task force was created to evaluate and make
recommendations pertaining to the proposal. Members represent NPS, Bureau of Land
Management, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR), and Forest Service. The
committee recommended the USGS effort be developed as a pilot survey, not only to examine
aquatic resources, but to also assess collection techniques and problems associated with difficult
access. This information provides additional survey information for UDWR's river drainage
management plan.

A 5 member, survey team was formed of state and federal biologists, for the purpose of
conducting a baseline survey of invertebrates, fish, and amphibians found in the middle and
lower reaches of the Escalante River. The survey ran through June 22 to June 26, 1998.

Site Description The Escalante River drains approximately 830 km2 portions of Garfield and
Kane counties, Utah. There are approximately 800 kIn of active stream within the watershed. Its
headwater is formed by Pine, Mamie, Sand, and Calf creeks which enter the Escalante upstream
of Highway 12. Waters are diverted from the river to Wide Hollow Reservoir, an off stream
storage facility. Pine Creek supports approximately 2,000 ofinigated crop land. Downstream of
Highway 12 the river enters the Escalante Canyon, a remote sandstone canyon bracketed by the .
Kaiparowits Plateau to the west, Circle Cliffs to the North, and Lake Powell to the south.
Headwaters are located within Dixie National Forest and lower portions of the drainage flow

1