9408

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9408
• Author: Foster, D. K. and G. Mueller.
• Title: Movement Patterns, Behavior, and Habitat Use of Razorback Sucker Stocked Into the Green River at Canyonlands National Park, Utah.
• USFW Year: 1999.
• USFW - Doc Type: Open-File Report 99-107,
• Copyright Material: NO

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or recovery option; however, we feel the likelihood of establishing local populations in
themselves is probably unlikely. Cataract Canyon appears to represent a downstream
conveyance vortex to newly stocked hatchery fish and possibly a hindrance for upstream
migration. The reestablishment of razorback sucker within the park will probably be
dependent upon reestablishing or expanding populations elsewhere.
It's well known that hatchery produced razorback suckers are extremely susceptible to
downstream drift (Ryden and Pfeifer 1996, Burdick and Bonaz 1996, Day and Modde
1999). As with this study, the majority of suckers stocked at Millard Bottom ended up in
Lake Powell. Curxent methods to compensate for this drift involves stocking fish further
upstream of targeted reintroduction sites or as this study suggested, fish should be site-
acclimated to reduce post-stocking trauma and possibly subjected to flow prior to
stocking in riverine environments.
Possible options for reintroducing razorback sucker to Canyonland National Pazk include:
In-Park.-Fish should be stocked during spring run-off and held in seasonally flooded
backwaters for a minimum of 2 weeks. Backwaters could be effectively blocked with
barrier nets. We also suggest tests be conducted with acclimating suckers to flow
(0.1 m/sec) for a minimum of 1 month prior to introduction.
Artificial backwater or holding facilities could be constructed in the upper reaches of the
Green and Colorado River. These semi-permanent structures could be used to rear wild
caught razorback sucker larvae for eventual reintroduction, or be used to rear and
acclimate hatchery production to local conditions.
Out-of-Park.- As discussed in the report, razorback suckers could be stocked, held, and
acclimated at upstream locations. Several possible locations exist. Another option would
be to stock adults or lazge juveniles in the Colorado River inflow area of Lake Powell.
It's been documented that razorback suckers stocked in the San Juan River inflow area
have migrated as faz as 80 km upstream (Dale Ryden, USFWS personal communique)
and similaz upstream migrations from reservoirs exceeding 100 km have been noted
(Mueller unpublished data).
' ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
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Special appreciation goes to Ed Wick who developed the research theme and initiated the
NRPP process; Bruce Rodgers and Craig Hauke (NPS) provided study guidance; the
Canyonlands Park Ranger staff provided logistical support; Tom Czapla and Tom Pruitt
(USFWS) provided study fish; Johnny Boutwell and David Mueller assisted in the field;
and the manuscript was reviewed by Tim Modde. Work was conducted under permits
issued by FWS, NPS, and Utah Division of Natural Resources and funded by USGS and
NPS.
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