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The USFWS is concerned that northern pike have established a reproducing population in the Yampa River that is impeding recovery of the endangered fishes. USFWS is particularly concerned that northern pike are using backwater channels and off -channel ponds along the Yampa River upstream of Craig for breeding and rearing young (Gelatt 2010, pers. comm.). The mitigation site lies in this area. Patty Gelatt with USFWS recommended that ponds constructed in this area be no deeper than 18 inches so fish in them will winterkill annually and not be a source of recruitment to the Yampa River populations. Yampa River fish can be expected to access the mitigation site pond during high river flows and could become stranded when flows recede. Constructing the pond to a maximum depth of 18 inches should assure that they will die annually when the pond winterkills from oxygen depletion. Fish species expected to use the pond for breeding or refuge from high flows in the river are non-native northern pike, largemouth bass, bluegill and black crappie (Elmblad 2010, pers. comm.). Native fishes are less likely to use the pond because they inhabit riverine habitats. Under that scenario, the pond could become a one way fish trap for removing non- native fishes from the Yampa River. As the pond ages it is expected to become overgrown with submergent aquatic vegetation and no longer provide fish habitat. Black -footed Ferret: The last historic record of a black -footed ferret in Colorado was in 1946. This species ranged statewide and its habitat included the eastern plains, the mountain parks and the western valleys — grasslands or shrublands that supported prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.), the ferret's primary prey. However, records indicate that black -footed ferrets seem never to have been abundant in Colorado (Fitzgerald et al. 1994). In a cooperative effort, state and federal wildlife biologists have established two major black - footed ferret colonies: one at Coyote Basin, which straddles the Colorado -Utah border west of Rangely, and another at the BLM's Wolf Creek Management Area southeast of Dinosaur National Monument near Massadona, Colorado (CDOW 2007a). Bonytail: Critical habitat occurs in the lower Yampa and Green Rivers. Canada Lynx: The lynx was listed in 1973 by the CDOW as a state endangered species and is federally -listed as a threatened species. The lynx is a large, bob -tailed cat, three -feet long with a black -tipped tail only about one-eighth the total length, and only about half the length of its huge hind foot; weights are 20 to 30 pounds. In Colorado, lynx habitat is found in dense sub -alpine forest and willow -choked corridors along mountain streams and avalanche chutes, where its favored prey species, the snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) is usually most abundant. Lynx also eat some carrion and capture ground -dwelling birds (like grouse) and small mammals. Lynx are active throughout the year; their large hind feet help them move across deep snow. Colorado is near the southern limit of their range, where they are found at elevations from approximately 4,600 ft to 9,000 ft. Lynx were reintroduced in Colorado from 1999 through 2004. The CDOW fitted translocated lynx with radio -transmitters to monitor movements after release. Many of these lynx ranged widely, which is often a result when translocated individuals are released into unfamiliar habitat. Since the initial releases, lynx have been radio -tracked over a wide range in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and New Mexico (CDOW 2007b). Several radio -telemetry WestWater Engineering Page 7 of 24 July 2012