7315 ‎(2)‎

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7315
• Author: Colorado Water Conservation Board.
• Title: State of Colorado Hatchery Feasibility Study for Endangered Fishes of the Colorado River Basin, Vols. 1 & 2.
• USFW Year: 1993.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

.

HATCHERY FEASIBILI1Y STUDY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION

In 1989, the Colorado Legislature authorized the Colorado Water Conservation Board
(CWCB) to prepare a feasibility study of fish culture techniquesl and fish hatchery
construction and operation for the propagation in Colorado, of endangered fish of the
Upper Colorado river basin. The four endangered species are the Colorado squawfish
(Ptychocheilus lucius) , humpback chub (Gila cypha) , bonytail chub (Gila elegans), and
razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus).

The purpose of this Executive Summary is to provide a brief overview of the Final Report
of this study. The Final Report and technical appendices include more detailed site
information as well as hatchery simulation model printouts, design layouts and various
tabulations of facility design information and costs. The proposed facility, which is
cumulatively known as a recovery facility, could ultimately consist of a propagation
component, a broodstock and refugia holding facility, and a research facility.

.

This study addresses only biological, technical and engineering design issues. Economic,
social and philosophical issues related to the propagation and augmentation of endangered
fish populations are beyond the scope of this study. However, these issues should be
considered in deciding whether an endangered fish recovery facility should be built and
where such a facility should be located.

The study evaluated sites in Colorado for a recovery facility and included a feasibility level
design that will aid the State of Colorado and the Recovery Program in determining where
a site should be located and what its construction and operation costs will be. This study
is a unique undertaking as such a facility would provide propagation, research, broodstock
holding, refugia and public educational opportunities for endangered fish species. There are
uncertainties about culture and large scale production techniques for these fishes, therefore
some assumptions were made as to how this type of facility should be developed and
operated.

The study was performed by a team of consulting engineers and biologists and a Technical
Advisory Committee (T AC). The T AC was responsible for overall direction of the study
and was composed of staff representatives from the CWCB, Colorado Division of Wildlife
(CDOW) and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The Consultant Team
consisted of URS Consultants, Inc., the prime contractor and responsible for site evaluation
and engineering; Fish Pro, Inc., specializing in fish biology and hatchery design; Bio/West,

.

!culture techniques . a definition of this and other scientific terms used in this Executive Summary are included in the

glossary.

1