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

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Mosquito control has been and will continue to be a
major concern of the people of Moab.
C. GOALS
The overall goal of this plan is to enhance all values of the
flooded bottomland habitat within the Preserve in order to aid
the recovery of threatened and endangered fish species. The
Preserve should be able to function as naturally as possible in
the Colorado River ecosystem.
The short-term goal of the razorback sucker recovery project in
the Preserve is to augment populations by enhancing the survival
of early life stages.
The first long-term goal of the recovery project in the Preserve
is to provide essential habitat for the natural recruitment and
survival of the Upper basin razorback sucker population. The
second long-term goal of the recovery project in the Preserve is
to determine how best to manage essential habitat for optimum
natural production of razorback sucker.
D. OBJECTIVES
The objective of this plan is to determine the process of
enhancing early survival of razorback suckers in the Preserve.
This would be accomplished through a series of experiments that
address life history and habitat requirements and how they are
affected by habitat manipulation.
II. SITE DESCRIPTION
A. GENERAL
The Preserve is located inside a flooded bottomland meander in
Moab Valley, Utah on the Colorado River at river mile 63 (Figures
1 and 2.). Moab Valley is 1.5 miles wide at this point and is
bounded by high sandstone cliffs to the east and west. The
Preserve is located northwest of the City of Moab and abuts the
city boundary on the southern end of the Preserve. The Preserve
is two miles long north to south and ranges between one mile wide
at the north end to .3 mile wide at the south end. The Preserve
contains 875 acres.
The natural topographical relief ranges from approximately 3,964
feet to 3,952 feet. Artificial dikes near the pond on the north
end of the Preserve rise to approximately 3,970 feet. The
Colorado River flows north to south and the Preserve generally
slopes south. The highest point of the Preserve is found at the
northwest corner and the lowest point is in the open water area
of the southern portion of the site.
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