7797

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7797
• Author: Collins, K.
• Title: Conceptual Management Plan for Razorback Sucker Habitat Enhancement in Flooded Bottomlands Scott M. Matheson Wetland Preserve Moab, Utah.
• USFW Year: 1994.
• Copyright Material: NO

Factors leading to unsuccessful recruitment of razorback sucker
' include the loss of critical habitats, such as flooded
bottomlands, and high numbers of non-native fishes. Historic
riverine habitats of the Colorado ecosystem have changed with
water resource development. Flows have been altered resulting in
' less area being flooded and areas that do flood are
flooded for a shorter period of time. In addition, predation and
' competition by non-native fishes have had an increased impact on
razorback suckers.
The Preserve contains components of suitable nursery habitat for
' razorback suckers, i.e. high food production (Cooper 1994), warm
water temperatures, vegetative cover and perennial water sources.
In the short-term, young razorback suckers, which have been
' produced in hatcheries, could potentially be reared in this
natural system and released into the Colorado River. Rearing
razorback suckers in this setting will provide valuable
' information on flooded bottomlands as habitat and an opportunity
to refine long term management techniques of flooded bottomland
systems. With the establishment of a viable population of
razorback suckers in the Upper Colorado River, the need for
' hatchery-produced fish will be reduced and naturally-produced
fish would utilize the habitat within the Preserve.
' Historic use of the Preserve by razorback suckers of any life
stage is unknown. However,'the location of the Preserve is
likely strategic for larvae in the Upper Colorado River Sub-
basin. The Preserve is the last major flooded bottomland on the
Colorado River before the confluence with the Green River.
In addition to the positive significance of the Preserve as a
' rearing habitat for razorback sucker, there are also concerns a
number of concerns which could impact the use of the Preserve for
razorback sucker habitat developments.
' The Colorado River currently floods the Preserve less
frequently and for a shorter duration than has occurred
historically. This affects the availability of within
' the Preserve for use by razorback suckers.
• Surface and ground water are of mixed quality: some
' sources are excellent, other sources are poor.
• Non-native fish are abundant in the wetlands.
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• High beaver populations within the Preserve require
' innovative design and/or intensive maintenance of water
control structures.

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