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the fish for PIT-tagging and stocking. Razorback suckers can be readily captured with trapnets and this method of harvest from ponds with irreguiar bottoms that cannot be effectively drained has been successful. To produce adequate numbers offish for experimental assessment of survival after release, the present Recovery Program emphasis should be for modification of existing ponds or construction of growout or production facilities. Experience in both the upper and lower basins has demonstrated that the endangered fish (razorback suckers, bonytail, and Colorado squawfish) can be reared successfully in off-channel ponds or impoundments if these waters do not contain nonnative fish predators. In the Grand Valley, the only major problem encountered was harvesting the fish because ponds from gravel mining operations could not be drained and the fish could not be readily captured. The solution to this problem is to slope the bottom of the ponds and install a fish trap for collecting fish when the ponds are drained. Also, trapnets have been successful as a tool for collecting fish from ponds with irregular bottoms. Defined Mission of Propagation Facilities in the Upper Colorado River Basin Pennanent Facilities and Sites in the Upper Colorado River Basin I. Grand Vallev Endaneered Fish Facility CO. The Grand Valley Endangered Fish Facility is composed of ponds at the HorsethiefState Wildlife Area, a hatchery building in Grand Junction, and a growout pond at the confluence of the Gunnison and Colorado rivers. The HorsethiefState Wildlife Area CO contains 6 ponds that total 3.5 surface acres. The mission of the Grand Valley Endangered Fish Facility is a primary refuge for priority endangered fishe stocks from the Upper Colorado River. The broodstocks for Upper Colorado River razorback suckers and Upper Colorado River Colorado squawfish are currently being maintained at the Horsethiefponds. 2. Ourav National Fish Hatcherv UT. The mission of the Ouray National Fish Hatchery is a primary refuge for priority endangered fishes from Green River stocks. The main purposes for this refuge are (1) to develop broodstocks through pedigree matings of wild stocks used as founders, (2) to produce fish for crucial field experiments, and (3) to maintain other priority endangered fish for the RIP. An environmental assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact have been prepared and approved for construction of a water conditioning reservoir, hatchery building, water supply and drain system, effluent pond, and 36 ponds. A Section 7 consultation has been completed with a "no jeopardy" opinion. The Management Committee has approved Ouray as a RIP propagation facility for endangered fishes. 3. Wahweao State Fish Hatcherv UT. The mission of the Wahweap State Fish Hatchery is a backup refuge to the Grand Valley Endangered Fish Facility and as a production site to rear endangered fish to a desired size before their release into upper basin rivers. Ten ponds (approximately OA-acre each) are available at Wahweap. Bonytail are reared at Wahweap for an experimental reintroduction stocking effort. VlII. Task Description and Schedule: Fiscal Year 1998 Task 1 - Grand Vallev Endaneered Fish Facility CO ModifY riverside ponds (i.e., gravel-pit ponds) along the Upper Colorado and Gunnison rivers to be used as grow out ponds for experimental reintroduction stocking of razorback suckers. Modifications would include sloping the bottom of the ponds and installing a fish control structure (i.e.. fish trap) to collect the fish. The feasibility of capturing razorback suckers with trapnets will be explored further and a decision will be made whether modifications to the pond bottom are necessary to capture fish from grow out ponds. A large, self contained and multi-compartmented fish hauling unit is needed. The unit could be shared between two hatcheries (Grand Valley and Ouray). Size should be three, 200 gallon compartments. Features to include: trailer mounted, goose neck, 5~ wheel trailer; 110 volt aerators (generator supported); oxygen underfloor mounted and injected into aerators; small electric pump for putting on tempering water at stocking site; trailer connectors standard to Ouray OS/22/98 6