7354

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7354
• Author: Wydoski, R. S.
• Title: Biological Review of Endangered or Imperiled Fish in the Upper Colorado River Basin.
• USFW Year: 1985.
• USFW - Doc Type: Washington, D. C.
• Copyright Material: NO

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INTRODUCTION
The Colorado River has been extremely important in the settlement and
development of western United States and has been altered to control water for
municipal, agricultural, and industrial areas. Water development projects have
altered the natural river ecosystem that resulted in changes in its physical,
chemical, and biological characteristics (Table 1). The demand for water will
result in additional water development projects that will further modify the
system. The past changes and the intentional or accidental introduction of
nonnative species have had adverse affects on several endemic fish species:
Coloado squawfish, Pt chocheilus lucius; humpback-chub, Gila cypha; bonytail
chub, Gila elegans; and razorback sucker, Xyrauchen texanus.
Future management aquatic resources in the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB)
must consider the social and economical needs of the American public for water
development, political and legal or institutional constraints, and biological
requirements of the rare organisms. Biopolitics (i.e., the art of resolving
management problems related to the multiple use of natural resources in a
biologically sound and politically acceptable manner) will continue to play the
key role in the management of the Upper Colorado River Basin. Management
decisions must be realistic and practical to prevent jeopardizing the continued
existence of rare species and provide for restoration of these species while
meeting the social and economical needs for water and energy development in the
upper basin.
The objectives of this report were to: (1) Review what is known about the
biology and ecological requirements of the rare or imperiled Colorado River fish
species; (2) Determine what available biological data requires further analysis
or refinement; and (3) Identify actions that are needed to protect or restore
the rare endemic fish of the Upper Colorado River Basin. This report also
summarizes the changes in the upper Colorado River that have or may affect the
river environment and the fish as well as a biological summary of current
knowledge of the rare fish in the UCRB.
The report is based on an intensive three week review of
unpublished reports, and personal or telephone contacts
actively involved with the study, welfare, or management
the published and
with people who are
of these fish.
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