BOARD00432

• Board Meeting Date: 3/10/1998
• Description: WSP Section - Colorado River Basin Issues - Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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pfe-construction activities in FY 99.

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Studies are underway to determine if the Tusher Wash Diversion Dam on the
Green Rivef just upstream from the town of Green River, Utah, is a barrier to
upstfeam movement of endangered fishes; and to determine if the Tusher
diversion canal siphons endangered fish larvae through the power plant or into
irrigation ditches. The fesults of this study will be used to determine the need
for sCfeening at diversion structufes.

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During March 1997, levees were bfeached at 3 sites along the Gfeen River,
resulting in 201 floodable acres. During October 1997, levees were breached
at 3 more sites resulting in an additional 153 floodable acres. Levees afe
currently (February/March 1998) being breached at 2 mOfe sites for an
additional 862 to 1380 acres (depending on flows). Total habitat made
available for endangefed fishes is 1,216 to 1,734 acres. This fills out the 8-site
block design recommended by the Levee Removal Evaluation Group and
subsequently approved by the Biology and Management committees.
Evaluation studies will be conducted through October. A report based on
preliminary results of data collected from 1996 through 1998 will be
developed by Decembef 1998 for review and evaluation by the Recovery
Program.

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Thirty-two sites have been screened fOf contaminants (including pre-
acquisition surveys on 14 private properties; pre-restoration surveys on 18
public properties; two candidate growout ponds; and two post-restoration
surveys). Floodability assessments have been conducted on 28 sites.

o Land acquisition activities have resulted in 14 private landowners that have
shown interest in selling easements or titles on approximately 500 acres of
floodplain properties along the Green, Colorado, and Gunnison fivers.

D. Stocking Native Fishes

Goal: A.

Status: 0

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B.

Produce a sufficient supply of hatchery reared fish to support research and
recovery activities.
Conserve the genetic diversity present in the wild.

During Fall 1997, 3,732 razorback suckers ranging in size from 4-15 inches
wefe stocked in the Gunnison River. These fish were raised in Clymers
Pond, Grand Junction. Up to 1,000 razorback suckers may be stocked
in the Green River in late Spring 1998.

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In October 1997, 2,164 age-O and ten age-I bony tails with radio transmitters
were stocked in Professor Valley near Moab, Utah. Anothef 3,000 will be
stocked in the Spring of 1998.

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