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

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The evaluation criteria were grouped into six major categories: water source; water quality,
including temperature; site physical factors; biological considerations; locational factors and
probable cost. Key guidelines used in setting the value for each of the criteria were that the
maximum possible point total for any site was set at 100, and the criteria categories (e.g.
water source, water quality, etc.) were weighted, such that there was a limit to the maximum
number of points which could be received for any criteria category or subcategory. In
addition, a site could receive a fatal flaw rating if a site condition was determined to be not
acceptable. Site descriptions are provided at the end of this report, including the basis of
any fatal flaw determinations. The six rating categories and the point values assigned to
each category are shown in Table 2.

TABLE 2

RATING FAcrOR CATEGORIES

Factor Cateiory

Maximum Point Value

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Water Source
Water Quality
Site Physical
Biological Considerations
Locational Factors
Probable Cost

25
20
20
15
10
10

The type of water source was the highest rated criteria category due to its impact on the
development of a hatchery/recovery facility and the propagation of fish. Groundwater is
preferred for rearing hatchery fish because it is generally free of fish diseases which are
prevalent in surface water supplies. This is extremely important to hatchery operations,
especially for a hatchery dedicated to the holding and propagation of endangered species.
For this reason, groundwater supplies were given higher point values than surface water
supplies. However, surface water supplies tend to provide the most genetically compatible
water supply as it more closely resembles natural conditions.

Water temperature was also a highly rated criteria because of the importance of water
temperature at different life stages and growth rates. Warm water is also a preferred water
source because the endangered fish need warm water for spawning. Warm water also
provides improved survival and enhances growth rates under intensive culture conditions.
Geothermal warm water offers a significant operational cost advantage over heating cold
water supplies.

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A matrix was developed to tabulate the rating criteria, allowable rating points and the
evaluation scores for each of the sites. The matrix is presented as Table 3. Site scores for
each criteria are totaled at the bottom of the matrix. Sites which best meet the evaluation
factors have higher scores.

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