8116 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

were no recaptures of channel catfish from the previous pass(es) this suggests a lower catch efficiency. Assuming a catch efficiency of 10 percent, this computes to 138 fish/km and 7,107 channel catfish in the White River in Colorado. Martinez et al. (1994) reported he and other researchers found channel catfish were rare in the White River. Assuming 10% of the stocked channel catfish from Kenney Reservoir had escaped downstream (300 fish), they would represent almost 11 percent of the hypothetical population of 2,832. At 11 percent of the population it is very likely some stocked fish would have been captured, but none were. At the higher population estimate of 7,107, four percent of the fish would have been stocked (300/7107) at assumed 10% escapement. Of the total of 404 channel catfish collected from the river during this study, 16 should have been stocked fish (404 x 0.04). But none were. The catch of 404 would be 5.6 percent of the population (404/7107). Since 4 percent of the population should be stocked fish and 5.6 percent of the population was sampled, again same stocked fish should have been collected. If channel catfish are escaping from Kenney Reservoir it was not observed in 1,390 hours of sampling effort and a catch of 404 fish. If there is escapement it would be a negligible addition to the wild channel catfish population. The hydroelectric plant at Taylor Draw Dam began operation in June 1993, the same time this study started. Any fish escaping through the penstock would be subjected to turbine induced and pressure related injuries. The other avenue for downstream escapement is over the spillway. Kenney Reservoir only spills water during spring runoff or precipitation events. Sampling was done in late spring and summer when spilling is common, yet when the highest catches of channel catfish were from the inlet azea. The chances for channel catfish to escape Kenney Reservoir may be reduced by injuries associated with operation of the hydroelectric facility and by the preference of the fish to occupy the upper end of the reservoir at a time of frequent spilling. VII. Conclusions The objectives of this study were to evaluate (1) growth, survival, and retention of channel catfish stocked in Kenney Reservoir, and (2) escapement of channel catfish from Kenney Reservoir downstream to the White River. The study found growth was good compared with other fisheries. Survival was similar to two channel catfish sportfisheries in Wyoming. Retention appeared good based on survival and the lack of stocked fish below the reservoir, although there is some movement of channel catfish upstream into the White River. Channel catfish satisfy these evaluation criteria and their stocking into Kenney Reservoir warrants further consideration. The RIP has decided channel catfish in critical habitat pose one of the greatest threats of any fish species to the recovery of endangered fish. Endangered Colorado pikeminnows occur up to'Taylor Draw Dam but are no longer found in the reservoir or upstream of it. If channel catfish are escaping to the White River downstream of Kenney Reservoir the numbers aze small. In consideration of this 16