8138

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 8138
• Author: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Arizona Game and Fish Department and The National Park Service.
• Title: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Utah/Arizona\
• USFW Year: 1996.
• Copyright Material: NO

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-- 1. INTRODUCTION
A. BACKGROUND - Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (NRA) includes Lake
Powell, one of the Nation's most significant water resources. Encompassing
nearly 2,000 miles of shoreline and over 180 miles in length, Lake Powell is
the second largest reservoir in volume of water after Lake Mead. Lake Powell
is an integrator of physical, chemical, and biological inputs from its vast
watershed (111,700 square miles). Fishery managers within Glen Canyon NRA
recognize that aquatic habitats within the Glen Canyon NRA boundary are an
integral part of the larger Colorado River system. Dam operations alter and
affect both upstream and downstream aquatic resources. Although altered by
human control, impoundments such as Lake Powell support aquatic communities in
which "natural" ecosystem processes continue. Water resources within Glen
Canyon NRA support recreational fishing opportunities for the public and offer
unique challenges and opportunities for fishery managers.
Impounded by Glen Canyon Dam, Lake Powell spans the Arizona-Utah border
(Figure 1), and falls within the jurisdictions of several agencies, including
the National Park Service (NPS), the states of Utah and Arizona, the Navajo
Nation, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (USFWS), water developers, and other regional and local groups also
have interests related to water and aquatic resources monitoring, management,
and protection.
Other important waters within Glen Canyon NRA include flowing portions of the
Colorado, Dirty Devil, Escalante, Paria, and San Juan rivers. The native fish
community in these rivers has declined since the creation of dams. Four of
the endemic "big river" fish which have been negatively impacted include the
endangered Colorado squawfish (Ptvchocheilus Lucius), humpback chub (Gila
cvoha), bonytail (C~ eleaans), and razorback sucker (~-rauchen us).
Recovery programs for these species focus primarily upon upstream riverine
habitats, however, critical habitat reaches within the Glen Canyon NRA are
occupied by some of these species. The inflow zone where rivers interface
with the reservoir are used during certain stages in the life history of some
of these endangered endemic Colorado River species.
Other native fish species also utilize habitats within Glen Canyon NRA.
Roundtail chub (Gila robusta), flannelmouth sucker (Catostomus latioinnis),
bluehead sucker (Catostomus discobol~ ), and speckled dace (Rhinichthvs
osculus) are native species found within Glen Canyon NRA that warrant
management consideration. Maintaining native species as components of the
aquatic cow unity is part of preserving them as a natural legacy for future
generations.
Currently, lake Powell provides habitats for numerous species of introduced
fish (nonnatives) which support outstanding recreational sport fishing
opportunities. Anglers can experience the excitement of catching striped bass
during a "striper boil", stalking large and smallmouth bass, and variety
fishing for catfish, crappie, sunfish, and walleye. Rainbow trout in the Lees
Ferry tailwater invite anglers from around the world. Providing a quality,
sustainable recreational fishery in this spectacular setting is congruous with
the NPS's recreational fishing program, "A Heritage of Fishing", as well as