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Page 8 ~ chub remains uncertain at this time; however, listing, at least in the lower basin, would be a likely scenario without emphasis on conservation of roundtail chub populations. Water quantity The threats to these species are amplified by their preferred localities and habitats within the state. One or more of the three species are frequently found in mid-elevation high desert streams in Utah (i.e., the San Rafael, Price, Muddy, Duchesne and White rivers), which are characterized by approximate elevations of 4000 to 5000 feet and tend to have hot summers, cold winters, and ~ less than 10 inches of rainfall annually. In addition, the alteration of riparian habitat over the last 200 years has allowed the invasion of the non-native tamarisk, which takes up more water than native cottonwood and willow species. The Utah State Water Plan identifies current allocations, future projected allocations based on growth and decline of certain uses, and issues and recommendations. An excerpt from the West Colorado River Basin Water plan exemplifies the . problems associated with many basins in the state: The West Colorado River Basin, like many other areas of the state, has a problem in overall supply and uses with regards to water rights. Much of the basin is over- appropriated and, as a result, late season shortages exist in many of the agricultural areas.... The San Rafael is the most over-appropriated drainage in the basin (Utah ~ Division of Water Resources 2001). Instream flow acquisition for the three species and other native fish in mid-elevation, high desert streams is almost nonexistent and usually dependent upon occurrence of endangered or sport fish, such as the flow recommendations for the Duchesne River intended to enhance instream ~ habitat for Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker (Modde and Keleher 2003). In Utah, flow volumes in major tributary systems such as the Duchesne and Price rivers have been depleted by 47 - 52% over the past 100 years (Brunson and Christopherson 2003; Cavalli 1999) and may be developed further as long as the waterbody is able to meet its beneficial uses. i Water quality The Utah Division of Water Quality assigns multiple beneficial uses to each of the state's waterbodies and monitors them regularly to determine whether or not water quality is adequate for each of the beneficial uses. Though many of these streams are currently designated for some form of recreational use, they are also designated for agricultural use and normally do not ~ support much sportfishing or recreational activities. Agricultural uses can often result in heavy depletions in many locations, and therefore highly degraded water quality. An increase in interest from recreation groups may help to change public opinion regarding water use issues and curtail these heavy depletions through broadening the actual beneficial uses of these streams. In addition to mid-elevation, high desert streams, bluehead sucker are found in higher elevation ~ streams in the Bonneville Basin and Strawberry River Basin of northern Utah. Water temperatures are generally colder there than in three species streams of the Colorado River Basin. However, the Bonneville Basin, including the Bear, Ogden, and Weber rivers, is highly urbanized and highly developed with multiple dam and diversion structures (see Background section for more information). Water development projects, such as dams, have the potential to ~