7892

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7892
• Author: Elmblad, W. R., et al.
• Title: State of Colorado, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, Lake Management Plans For The Northwest Region.
• USFW Year: 1994.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

MONITORING
~ The purpose of this section is to provide a plan for monitoring potential effects
of nonnative fish stocking on endangered Colorado River fishes. Such a plan is
required by the Interim Procedures (Appendix A), and is also in keeping with the
~ Colorado Division of Wildlife's (CDOW1 dual mission to protect the State's Wildlife
resources and to provide wildlife-related recreational opportunities (CDOW 1994)
Samgling_ Procedures and Schedules
• The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the CDOW annually sample
the Colorado River in the vicinity of all waters proposed for stocking in this document
(McAda 19941. In addition to this on-going sampling, all waters stocked with
• nonnative sportfish will be monitored throughout the spring and early summer by
CDOW personnel to determine if any flooding occurs which might allow for
escapement. If flooding does occur in any of the stocked waters, sampling wilt be
• conducted in the waters in question and in mainstem reaches of the Colorado River
to assess any escapement of stocked sportfish. Standing waters would be sampled
according to Powell's (19801 reservoir sampling protocol, while the Colorado River
i
would be sampled using methods presently employed by the Recovery Implementation
Program.
In addition to this emergency sampling, stocked waters will also be annually
•
inventoried for five years to assess growth and survival of stocked sportfish. By
annually sampling for a five year period, trends in species richness, abundance, and
overall fish community structure will be identified. This information will be vital in
~ refining optimum warmwater sportfish stocking rates and management approaches
•