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San Juan Basin Recovery Implementation Program Upper River Endangered Fish Recovery Program

Managing water releases from federal to benefit endangered fishes — a delicate balancing act

his year, the U.S. Bureau of For example, spring peak flows according to federal and state water Reclamation (Reclamation) form backwaters, while summer/ rights and interstate compacts.” Timplemented changes in oper- winter flows help maintain the back- While Rick addresses the flow ations at two federal dams and res- waters that provide important nursery conditions, Reclamation Biologist ervoirs in the Upper habitat. In addition, spring peak flows Dave Speas keeps a close eye on water

Basin — Navajo and Flaming Gorge clean cobble bars that Colorado pike- U.S. BUREAU OF RECLAMATION temperature. Both work closely to — to assist in the recovery of the minnows and razorback suckers use calculate the amount of water and endangered fishes. The changes will for spawning. the timing of releases to ensure that help meet water flow and temperature “Changing the present pattern of the water arrives at the intended loca- conditions that benefit the fish. river flows at crucial times in the life- tion at the temperature that scientists Both facilities are operated to cycle of the Colorado River endan- have determined that the warm-water serve multiple authorized purposes gered fish is central to the success of endangered fishes need. that include: regulating river flows in recovery efforts,” said Dan Luecke, This was the first year for the San Juan and Green , storing Western Resource Advocates repre- Reclamation to implement a Record and delivering water, and generat- sentative to the Upper Colorado River of Decision which permits re-opera- ing hydroelectric power. The facilities Endangered Fish Recovery Program. tion of Flaming Gorge as direct- also provide significant recreational “The re-operation of Navajo and ed in a final environmental impact opportunities and improve conditions Flaming Gorge dams to create river NAVAJO AND FLAMING GORGE PROVIDE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES BOTH IN THE statement issued in September 2005. for fish and wildlife, both in the res- conditions more hospitable to native RESERVOIRS AND DOWNSTREAM. FLY FISHING IS EXTREMELY POPULAR ON THE SAN JUAN RIVER BELOW A technical work group was estab- (PICTURED) AND ON THE GREEN RIVER BELOW . ervoirs and downstream. fish, while meeting the projects’ other lished to propose to Reclamation Based on extensive scientific purposes, is a significant and impor- pack conditions plus available storage need for a federal hydroelectric power which flow objectives are most suit- research, the Upper Colorado River tant step in the process of recovery in the , to try to determine plant; maintaining reservoir storage; able for endangered fish each year. and San Juan River Basin recovery and, ultimately, the delisting of these the flow patterns we need for the fish. serving the recreational needs of boat- The group includes representatives programs worked with the U.S. Fish endangered species.” We try to achieve the target range that ers, marina operators and anglers; and of Reclamation, the Service and and Wildlife Service (Service) to the scientists have identified in the delivering water for municipal and Western Area Power Administration, develop recommendations for river Changing dam operations at endangered fish flow recommenda- irrigation purposes to a vari- flows to create and maintain favorable tions without impacting the purposes ety of water users, including habitat in the Green and San Juan rivers Releasing water from the dam to of the dam.” those in downstream states. for the various life stages of endan- change the river flows is a delicate Complicating this effort is the fact “It’s a tremendous chal- gered fishes. balancing act and is a year-round that Rick and his staff must predict lenge to try to determine operation with the volume and timing of flows in when and how much water U.S. BUREAU OF RECLAMATION increased demands the free-flowing which to release to achieve the in the spring. enters into the Green River and target flows for the fish,” “We moni- affects the Green River’s flows below Rick said. “We try to operate tor the hydrologic the confluence. the dam so that we maxi- conditions in the From May to mid-June, Rick mize the volume of water U.S. BUREAU OF RECLAMATION basin year-round,” monitors river flows in the Yampa that runs through the power said Reclamation and Green rivers hourly, via computer, plant to generate energy. At Hydraulic Engineer seven days a week. In addition to the same time, we have to Rick Clayton, determining how much water is avail- ensure we release enough who supervises able to meet the flow recommenda- water to achieve the tar- water operations tions for the endangered fish, he tries geted flows for the fish, yet at Flaming Gorge to time dam releases to coincide with we have to consider what Dam on the Green Yampa River flows to reach endan- fluctuating releases will River in . “We gered fish habitat beginning approxi- mean to the trout fishery use that informa- mately 104 miles downstream. below the dam and to lake POWER CUSTOMER ORGANIZATIONS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN ENDANGERED FISH RECOVERY BY WORKING WITH THE RECOVERY tion, combined As if this isn’t enough, Rick has levels and marina opera- PROGRAMS TO HELP ACHIEVE TARGETED FLOW OBJECTIVES. with current and to ensure that water and power users’ tors. We also have to deliver AT FLAMING GORGE DAM WATER RELEASES THROUGH TUBES THAT BYPASS forecasted snow- —continued on page 3 THE POWER PLANT MAY BE NEEDED TO HELP ACHIEVE FLOW CONDITIONS FOR needs are met as well. This includes the water to other customers ENDANGERED FISH AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECORD OF DECISION.

In this issue

Nonnative fish removal Stocking efforts A fish-eye view of the Kudos to an outstanding Must be something work encouraging, p. 2 showing success, p. 3 Colorado River, p. 4 researcher, p. 5 in the water, p. 6 Efforts believed to boost Hatchery-raised razorback Aquarium exhibits teach visitors Kevin Christopherson lauded for Local biologists raise baby survival of endangered suckers and pikeminnows about the river system and its his many contributions to razorback suckers — and babies native fish. surviving in river systems. unique species. recovery of endangered fish. of their own. Nonnative removal efforts on San Juan River show encouraging results

ix years after launching an inten- “There appears to be a stronghold

sive effort to manage nonnative of channel catfish and common carp Sfish in the San Juan River, biolo- between where the Service’s work gists see declining trends in the size stopped and the Utah Division of and numbers of nonnative channel Wildlife’s work began,” Jason said. catfish and common carp. Research “We will put more emphasis on

has shown that nonnative species may U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE that section to make sure the chan- threaten the survival of endangered nel catfish and carp don’t move into and razorback the reaches where we’ve seen sucker because these nonnative fishes some success. prey upon other fish and compete for “We realize that we will never be food and space. able to remove 100 percent of the cat- In 1999, biologists found sig- fish,” he added. “We hope that if we nificant numbers of these large-bod- can get the numbers and sizes down ied nonnative fish in the San Juan at the same time that we are stepping River. Today, the river-wide abundance up efforts to increase the endangered of channel catfish shows a general fish populations by stocking hatchery- declining trend in abundance and the raised fish, we’ll give the endangered current channel catfish population fish a little head start toward establish- appears to be dominated by juvenile ing self-sustaining populations.”

© COPYRIGHT JOSEPH R. TOMELLERI catfish, less than 12 inches in length. In addition to active removal of Common carp abundance has also channel catfish and common carp, significantly declined since 2001 and the Department of Game is at the lowest level ever observed. and Fish has removed the bag limit “This is good news for the endan- on these species. Work on behalf of gered fish,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife the endangered fish may benefit other Service Biologist Jason Davis. “We’re native species that live in the San seeing an encouraging trend toward Juan River system, including fewer and smaller- sized channel cat- flannelmouth and bluehead suckers fish and common carp which may and speckled dace. BONYTAIL reduce reproductive potential and U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE BIOLOGIST JIM BROOKS HOLDS TWO LARGE CHANNEL CATFISH REMOVED For more information, contact predation on the native fish.” FROM THE SAN JUAN RIVER. BIOLOGISTS ARE ENCOURAGED THAT THEY ARE SEEING FEWER CHANNEL Jason Davis, 505-342-9900, ext. 108, CATFISH OF THIS SIZE DURING THEIR NONNATIVE FISH MANAGEMENT EFFORTS. Biologists from the U.S. Fish and [email protected].  Wildlife Service (Service) and the The and the U.S. has also helped Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Bureau of Indian Affairs work closely the Tribe increase (UDWR) conduct the nonnative with the San Juan River Recovery revenues through fish management work on behalf of Program to support endangered fish the sale of fish- the San Juan River Basin Recovery recovery efforts. ing and boating Implementation Program. Biologists with the Navajo Nation permits.” “We also collect invaluable infor- Department of Fish and Wildlife trans- Next spring, mation about endangered fish during port channel catfish removed from biologists will the course of our nonnative fish man- the San Juan River and stock them continue their agement work,” said Patrick Goddard, into ponds and lakes on tribal lands to n o n n a t i v e project leader for the Utah Division enhance sportfishing opportunities. fish manage- of Wildlife Resources in Moab, Utah. “The Tribe would like to be even ment efforts to “The electrofishing method used more involved with the Recovery include addi- to capture fish is effective on all Program because we care about our tional removal UTAH DIVISION OF WILDLIFEUTAH RESOURCES species. When we encounter a natural resources — those being passes in a river native fish, we release it immedi- water and fish, and especially endan- reach between ately. If a Colorado pikeminnow or gered and threatened species,” said the upper and is netted, the fish Viola Willeto, a fish biologist with lower sections is weighed, measured, tagged and the Navajo Nation Department of of the San Juan COLORADO PIKEMINNOW returned to the river. This allows us Fish and Wildlife. “Through educa- River. UTAH DIVISION OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES BIOLOGISTS JULIE HOWARD (LEFT) to get important life-history data on tion our people are gaining interest AND RACHEL NELSON WORK TO REMOVE CHANNEL CATFISH IN THE LOWER SAN these endangered fish and helps us in fish. In addition to helping recover JUAN RIVER. with our estimate of the numbers of the endangered fish, stocking chan- each endangered species.” nel catfish into our reservation lakes

Nonnative fish management efforts continue in upper basin he Upper Colorado River response to nonnative fish reductions, tion of berms around ponds to pre- fish stocking procedures that prohibit also removed state bag and possession Endangered Fish Recovery and where and how nonnative fishes vent the escape of nonnative fishes introduction of certain nonnative fish limits for northern pike, smallmouth TProgram expanded its nonna- are getting into the critical habitat into rivers. The states of Colorado species into river reaches occupied by bass, largemouth bass and other cen- tive fish management efforts this year sections of the Upper Colorado River and Utah have developed nonnative the endangered fishes. Colorado has trarchids in the entire Yampa River to include additional river sections Basin. and in the designated critical habitat and removal trips. Biologists worked Like in the San Juan River, chan- areas of the White, Colorado and on 740 miles of the Colorado, White, nel catfish also pose a serious threat Gunnison rivers to increase harvest.

Yampa, Green and Duschesne riv- to the endangered fishes. Because JIM FRANTZ A workshop will be held in ers in the states of Colorado and the upper Colorado River system has December during which researchers Utah. Depending on the river reach, much wider and deeper waters than will review current data and deter- they targeted smallmouth bass and/or the San Juan River does, past capture mine future nonnative fish manage- northern pike for removal and reloca- methods have proved inadequate for ment actions. For more information, tion to appropriate area fishing ponds. effective removal in most areas. As a contact Pat Nelson, 303-969-7322, Scientific evidence shows that these result, channel catfish research only ext. 226, [email protected].  nonnative fish species are impeding occurred this year in Yampa Canyon recovery of the endangered Colorado where removal methods have been River fishes. effective. The nonnative fish management Other management actions being research studies are designed to deter- taken to reduce the threat of nonnative mine if management efforts are effec- fishes to the endangered fishes include tive in reducing the numbers of tar- the review and approval of private fish PEYTON FRANTZ, 8, OF FORT COLLINS, COLO., CAUGHT THIS SMALLMOUTH BASS IN THE LITTLE RASCALS geted nonnative fishes, if endangered stocking permits, the screening of POND IN CRAIG, COLO. THIS CHILDREN’S FISHING POND IS ONE OF SEVERAL LOCATIONS WHERE BIOLOGISTS ARE PLACING SMALLMOUTH BASS OR NORTHERN PIKE THAT ARE REMOVED DURING and other native fishes increase in reservoir outlets and the construc- NONNATIVE FISH MANAGEMENT EFFORTS IN THE YAMPA RIVER.

page 2 Balancing act continued from page 1 all of which are partners in the Upper address seasonal patterns, water vol- notched at floodplain nursery habitats, logic conditions and provide input on Colorado River Recovery Program. umes and fish responses. This process we strongly support Reclamation’s dam operations. The group, made up Achieving the target flows for the allows changes to dam operations to commitment to determine if lower of representatives from Reclamation, fish means that during a set period of occur as needed based on new scien- peak flows can accomplish the same the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and time, the dam operates to release the tific information that researchers may environmental benefits for the endan- the National Weather Service, partici- maximum amount of water through obtain about the endangered fishes. gered fish.” pate in conference calls twice a week U.S. BUREAU OF RECLAMATION

HUMPBACK CHUB the power plant (4,500 cubic-feet- “We understand the need for The Upper Colorado River during high release times. Local emer- per-second). In some years, additional changes in the dam operations at Recovery Program’s 2000 Flow and gency agencies are also involved to water is also released through the Flaming Gorge to assist in recovering Temperature Recommendations for ensure they stay informed of reservoir bypass tubes. the fish, but any restrictions on power Endangered Fishes in the Green River operations. “Our goal is to use the least production are particularly tough in Downstream of Flaming Gorge Dam The Record of Decision for amount of water to achieve the flow these times of rising demands and identifies some uncertainties related Navajo Dam formally allows dam objectives described by the Record of drought conditions,” said Leslie James, to flow and temperature needs of operations to help meet the flow Decision,” Rick said. “There is a lot on executive director of the Colorado the endangered fish. The Recovery RECLAMATION WATER MANAGEMENT GROUP CHIEF recommendations for the endan- PAT PAGE OVERSEES OPERATIONS AT NAVAJO DAM the line if we don’t achieve the targets River Energy Distributors Association, Program is presently developing a ON THE SAN JUAN RIVER IN NEW MEXICO. gered fishes in the San Juan River as each year.” Targeted flow objectives a nonprofit organization whose mem- Green River Study Plan to identify described in Reclamation’s final envi- for this year were achieved. bers serve over 4 million electric cus- the monitoring and research proj- to mimic more natural spring runoff ronmental impact statement issued in The Record of Decision for tomers in , Colorado, , ects needed to implement and eval- conditions in the basin. April 2006. Flaming Gorge Dam calls for an adap- New Mexico, Utah and . uate the recommendations, includ- “We have it a little easier than they tive management approach that will “Now that some levees have been ing examining the uncertainties. The do for Flaming Gorge Dam because Encouraging news Green River Study may result in new we have a set date of June 4 to try to This year’s approval to change scientific information to be consid- match the peak flows of the Animas operations at two major federal dams QUICK FACTS ered for future operations at Flaming River which enters the San Juan River in the Upper Colorado River Basin Gorge Dam. below Navajo Dam,” Pat said. “That to assist in meeting flow recom- Flaming Gorge Dam and Reservoir date is the historical average peak of mendations for the endangered fish Located: Utah on the Green River Navajo dam operations the . We also have some is encouraging news for the two Dam Completed: 1962 Pat Page, the Water Management flexibility in dam operations until Recovery Programs. Dam Height: 455 feet Group chief for Reclamation’s Western full water development occurs in the “The adaptability and resiliency Live Storage Capacity: 3,749,000 acre-feet * Colorado Area Office in Durango, basin, including the completion of of the Colorado River Storage Project Maximum Surface Area: 42,020 acres oversees operations at Navajo Dam the Animas-La Plata and Navajo Indian has been borne out this year as we

U.S. BUREAU OF RECLAMATION (66 square miles) on the San Juan River in New Mexico. Irrigation projects.” have found ways to accommodate ROD Signed: February 16, 2006** Like Rick, Pat considers base flows and Navajo Dam has operated accord- the needs of the endangered fish keeps a watchful eye on snowpack and ing to the San Juan River Recovery while protecting the purposes for reservoir storage. He also takes into Program’s flow recommendations to which Congress created the project Navajo Dam and Reservoir account the multiple purposes of the some extent since they were devel- 50 years ago,” said Reclamation’s Located: New Mexico on the San Juan River dam and reservoir, including Native oped in 1999. The recommendations Upper Colorado Regional Director Dam Completed: 1963 American Tribal use, recreational fish- call for releases as low as 250 cubic- Rick Gold. “The long history of these Dam Height: 388 feet ing and boating, water storage and feet-per-second to maintain base two recovery programs of the Upper Live Storage Capacity: 1,696,000 acre-feet* delivery, and flood control. Provision flows in critical habitat and to con- Colorado River and San Juan River Maximum Surface Area: 15,610 acres of water for the privately-owned City serve water for spring peak releases. represent amazing success in how

U.S. BUREAU OF RECLAMATION (24 square miles) of Farmington’s hydroelectric power In 2005, due to above average snow- government, environmental interests, ROD Signed: July 31, 2006** plant is considered a secondary pur- pack and timing of the high releases hydropower customers, Tribal inter- pose and does not control dam opera- from Navajo Reservoir, all of the flow ests and the general public can work * Amount of water available for use. tions. Pat’s busiest time of year occurs criteria for the spring peak flows together to achieve meaningful and during March through June. That’s were met. productive change.” **Record of decision authorizes implementation of approved actions in  final environmental impact statement for this facility. when he and his staff prepare for and In the spring, Pat assembles a make high releases from the reservoir group to track weather and hydro-

Stocking hatchery-raised fish shows success Bringing razorback suckers back from the brink of extinction istorically, the razorback suck- • During 2000 through 2005, 1,494 er was common to abundant stocked razorback suckers were recap- Stocking Colorado pikeminnow Hin most warm-water rivers of tured in the Green River, and 538 the Colorado River Basin, but declined were recaptured in the Colorado and throughout its range during the 20th Gunnison rivers. Some fish have been in the San Juan River century. Today, the species exists natu- recaptured four years after stocking. Like the razorback sucker, Colorado rally in only a few locations. Fewer than • Razorback suckers stocked in the pikeminnow were once widespread and 100 wild adults are estimated to still DIVISION OF WILDLIFEUTAH RESOURCES Green River have been recaptured in abundant in the Colorado River system. occur in the middle Green River of Utah the Colorado River, and razorback The Colorado pikeminnow was con- and Colorado, and wild populations are suckers stocked in the sidered rare in the San Juan River in considered gone from the Gunnison, have been recaptured in the Green the early 1960s. By the mid-1990s, an U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Colorado and San Juan rivers. River. This exchange between rivers estimated 19 wild adult fish remained. UTAH DIVISION OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES Because of the dramatic decrease BIOLOGIST RON BRUNSON SAMPLES FOR RAZOR- suggests that razorback suckers may Since 2002, hatchery-produced, of wild razorback suckers, hatch- BACK SUCKER LARVAE IN THE GREEN RIVER. eventually form a network of popula- juvenile Colorado pikeminnow have ery-produced, stocked fish form the can cope with local habitats. The recov- tions or subpopulations. been stocked into the San Juan River. U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE BIOLOGIST foundation to reestablish naturally self- ery programs’ stocking plans identify • From 2000 through 2004, 893 Stocked fish include age-0, 1-year-old JASON DAVIS STOCKS COLORADO PIKEMIN- sustaining populations of razorback the annual number and size of stocked stocked razorback suckers were recap- and 2-year-old fish from a variety of NOW INTO THE SAN JUAN RIVER. sucker in the upper Colorado and subadult razorback suckers to expedite tured in the San Juan River. In 2005 sources: Dexter National Fish Hatchery San Juan River systems. The recovery the reestablishment of self-sustaining alone, there were a total of 399 and Technology Center in New Mexico, J.W. Mumma Native Aquatic Species programs’ genetic management plans populations and achieve the demo- recaptures. One fish collected in 2005 Restoration Facility in Colorado, and Bubbling Ponds Hatchery in Arizona. are designed to maximize the genetic graphic criteria of the recovery goals. was recaptured 13 years after being Since 2002, more than 1 million juvenile Colorado pikeminnow (most diversity of razorback suckers produced The recovery programs’ stocking stocked. While eliminating multiple in the 2-inch to 4-inch range) have been stocked into the San Juan River. in hatcheries from wild brood stocks to efforts are showing success as stocked recaptures of fish will reduce this From 2000 through 2004, 3,233 stocked juvenile Colorado pikeminnow were increase the likelihood that stocked fish fish are surviving and reproducing: overall number somewhat, the num- recaptured in the San Juan River. In 2005 alone, there were a total of 2,476 ber of razorback suckers recaptured in recaptures. Eliminating multiple recaptures of fish will reduce this overall 2005 remains noticeably higher than number somewhat; however, the number of Colorado pikeminnow recaptured in any previous year. in 2005 would still be noticeably higher than in any previous year. • Razorback suckers stocked in the Recaptures indicate that many stocked fish are surviving, with numerous Green and San Juan rivers have been fish approaching adulthood. Biologists anticipate seeing signs of natural repro- recaptured or observed in reproduc- duction (i.e., the collection of larval fish) in upcoming years as these young

U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE tive condition at spawning sites, indi- fish begin to enter adulthood and are supplemented by further stockings of cating they are behaving as wild fish. young fish.  • Captures of larval razorback suckers in the Green, Gunnison, Colorado upper Colorado and San Juan River sys- and San Juan rivers demonstrate that by captures of juveniles in the Green, tems. The recovery programs continue stocked fish are reproducing. Gunnison and San Juan rivers. to monitor survival and reproduction • Survival of razorback sucker larvae These results provide encouraging of stocked fish to evaluate and improve through the first year is evidenced prospects for reestablishing razorback stocking strategies.. RAZORBACK SUCKERS HAVE BEEN RECAPTURED FROM FOUR TO 13 YEARS AFTER STOCKING. sucker populations throughout the 

page 3 Aquarium exhibits help tell Education specialist honored complex story of Colorado River for innovative efforts to teach atchery-raised endangered The result is an exhibit about endangered fish fish in aquarium exhibits that National Hhelp tell the complex story Recreation Area Interpretive ocal residents and tourists can enjoy a close-up view of endangered of the Colorado River by attracting Park Ranger Joan Mayer said Colorado River fishes in western Colorado and Page, Ariz., thanks visitors to see these unique species is a positive addition to the SERVICE PARK NATIONAL Lto the efforts of Colorado Division of Wildlife Education Specialist and the accompanying interpretive visitor center. Stan Johnson. Five years ago, the former high school principal developed messages. The newest exhibit opened “The fish provide a pleas- a classroom aquarium program for fifth-grade students in Grand Junction, this year at the Carl Hayden Visitor ant and needed respite from Colo., and nearby communities. Students provide hands-on care for hatch- Center at in Page, a hectic vacation,” she said. ery-raised razorback suckers throughout the school year and then tag Ariz., and features bonytail, razor- “The aquarium is already and release the fish into the river each spring. This program has reached back suckers and humpback chub. one of our most popular thousands of students, parents and teachers — and it has raised awareness The facility hosts more than 400,000 exhibits, with people of all about the endangered fishes and the importance of maintaining a healthy visitors each year. ages stopping to observe river ecosystem. When Utah Division of Wildlife the fish. The new exhibit Stan also helped the Resources Biologist Quent Bradwisch also explains the cooperative Recovery Program estab- first raised the idea of establishing efforts taking place to recov- lish an interpretive exhibit

this exhibit, enthusiasm quickly grew er these rare species so that DEBBIE FELKER featuring an aquarium at INTERPRETIVE PARK RANGER MATT BOLIN TALKS TO A YOUNG among the federal, state and private they can remain an impor- VISITOR ABOUT ENDANGERED FISH AT A NEW AQUARIUM The Montrose Pavilion in organizations who made it happen. tant part of the Colorado EXHIBIT AT THE CARL HAYDEN VISITOR CENTER AT GLEN Montrose, Colo. Similar CANYON DAM. Quent raises bonytails and razorback River ecosystem.” exhibits modeled after this suckers at the Wahweap Fish Hatchery About 350 miles Division of Wildlife Education successful project are now in in nearby Big Water, Utah. Willow northwest of Glen Canyon Dam, Specialist Stan Johnson who helped place at other locations. Beach National Fish Hatchery in Maintenance Director Bruce Truckey establish this exhibit. “We were able The classroom program Boulder City, Nev., provided hump- and his colleagues at The Montrose to use the large, adult fish as part of and interpretive exhibits back chub for the exhibit. Pavilion are caretakers for their third our classroom education program and have received positive news “When the thought came up set of endangered fish. This confer- then tag and return them to the river.” media coverage resulting in through the Visitor Center committee, ence facility in western Colorado was The adults were replaced with young, further increased awareness it just seemed like it was the right thing the first public facility to work with hatchery-raised fish. about these rare fishes. to do,” said U.S. Bureau of Reclamation the Upper Colorado River Endangered Colorado State Park in Fruita, “Knowledge is the foun- Facility Manager Ken Rice, who over- Fish Recovery Program to establish on Colorado’s western slope, also dation upon which great sees the operations of Glen Canyon this type of interpretive exhibit. This established an aquarium at its Visitor endeavors are built,” said Dam. “State, federal and private orga- year, the aquarium received hump- Center. A similar exhibit at the Quarry Recovery Program Director nizations worked together to get the back chub from Dexter National Fish Visitor Center at Dinosaur National STAN JOHNSON HELPS A STUDENT STERILIZE A PIT TAG THAT Bob Muth, who presented WILL BE INSERTED INTO A RAZORBACK SUCKER TO HELP proper permits, design and construct Hatchery and Technology Center in Monument in northeast Utah was BIOLOGISTS TRACK THE FISH FOR RESEARCH STUDIES. Stan with a special award the aquarium, develop and produce the Dexter, N. Mex., making it the only temporarily removed while repairs are in August on behalf of the interpretive signs, obtain the fish and public aquarium with all four species made to that facility. Recovery Program. “I saw this passage while visiting Washington, D.C., and educate the interpretive staff.” Power of endangered fish.  I believe that it applies to the work that Stan has done which has helped the production revenues from customers “The staff did such a great job Recovery Program build its foundation.”  of the Colorado River Storage Project taking care of their fish that they out- helped fund the project. grew the aquarium,” said Colorado

Recovery Program news and updates swimming upstream

Swimming Upstream is a publication of the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program. These programs are national models of cost-effective, public and private partnerships. The programs are work- NAVAJO NATION NAVAJO ing to recover endangered fishes while water development continues in accordance with federal and state laws and interstate com- U.S. BUREAU OF RECLAMATION U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE pacts, including fulfillment of federal trust responsibilities to American Indian tribes.

CO RIVER WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT CO CONSERVATION RIVER WATER Debra B. Felker Editor (303) 969-7322 [email protected]

Coordinated reservoir Uvalde hatchery to Elkhead Reservoir Navajo nation helps UPPER COLORADO RIVER operations enhance produce razorback enlargement raise razorback suckers ENDANGERED FISH RECOVERY PROGRAM U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service peak flow suckers nearly complete The Navajo Nation is work- P.O. Box 25486, DFC • Lakewood, CO 80225 (303) 969-7322 • (303) 969-7327 – Fax Releases from five Upper Uvalde National Fish Hatchery in A 12,000 acre-foot enlargement ing with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife ColoradoRiverRecovery.fws.gov Colorado River Basin reservoirs were southwest Texas is expected to pro- of Elkhead Reservoir in northwest Service to improve efforts to raise Robert T. Muth Program Director timed to enhance peak flows in the duce 6,000, 12-inch razorback suckers Colorado will be substantially com- razorback suckers in nine ponds Program Partners Colorado River last spring to improve next year to help the San Juan River pleted this year and ready to cap- located on tribal lands southwest of Colorado River Energy Distributors Association Colorado Water Congress spawning habitat for endangered fish. Recovery Program achieve its annual ture water next spring. The Upper Farmington, N. Mex. Dexter National National Park Service This effort was a result of voluntary production target of 11,400 fish. Colorado River Recovery Program Fish Hatchery and Technology Center State of Colorado State of Utah cooperation of major reservoir owners Dexter National Fish Hatchery partially funded this project to will stock 10,000, 8-inch razorback State of Wyoming The Nature Conservancy and water management entities who and Technology Center in southern ensure that 5,000 acre-feet of per- suckers into the ponds this fall and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service participate on the Upper Colorado New Mexico also produces razorback manent water and up to 2,000 acre- an additional 10,000 fish late next Utah Water Users Association River Recovery Program’s Coordinated suckers, as well as Colorado pike- feet of leased water per year will be spring. The Navajo Fish and Wildlife Western Area Power Administration Western Resource Advocates Reservoir Operations Team. minnows, for the San Juan Recovery available to augment late-summer Department will manage the ponds, Wyoming Water Association

Each year, the team tracks snow Program. In 2005, Dexter stocked flows in the Yampa River to protect including monitoring water quality. SAN JUAN RIVER BASIN pack and predicted runoff to deter- 1,996 razorback suckers and 306,800 fish habitat. The ponds provide additional RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM 2105 Osuna Road, NE • Albuquerque, NM 87113 mine if enough water will be avail- Colorado pikeminnows. The Colorado River Water space to enable the fish to grow to (505) 761-4745 • (505) 346-2542 – Fax http://southwest.fws.gov/sjrip able to augment the natural spring Hatchery-produced razorback Conservation District coordi- the target size of 10 inches before David L. Campbell peak. Conditions have allowed suckers and Colorado pikeminnow nated this project. The reservoir is they are stocked into the San Program Director coordinated reservoir operations to are stocked in the San Juan River as scheduled to reopen in spring 2007 Juan River to help achieve the Program Partners State of Colorado occur three times since the team part of recovery efforts to achieve self- with improved camping and boat San Juan River Recovery Program’s State of New Mexico Jicarilla Apache Nation was established in 1995. sustaining populations. launch facilities. stocking goals. Navajo Nation For more information, For more information, contact For more information, For more information, contact Southern Ute Indian Tribe Ute Mountain Ute Tribe contact Kara Lamb, 970-962-4326 Dave Campbell, 505-761-4745, david_ contact Dan Birch, 970-945-8522, Dave Campbell, 505-761-4745, U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs U.S. Bureau of Land Management or [email protected]. or [email protected].  [email protected].  [email protected]. U.S. Bureau of Reclamation   U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Water Development Interests

page 4 RAZORBACK SUCKER © COPYRIGHT JOSEPH R. TOMELLERI

Program director’s message By Dave Campbell, Director San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

tarting with this issue, Swimming Upstream will provide up-to-date information about both Service’s new regional the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and the San Juan River Basin directors oversee endangered SRecovery Implementation Program. Although these programs remain distinct, they share com- fish recovery efforts mon audiences who we believe will benefit by learning about endangered fish recovery efforts in both river systems. he U.S. Fish and Wildlife Both programs are making progress toward recovery of the endangered fishes. Their success is a Service (Service) announced Tthe selection earlier this direct result of the cooperation, hard work and dedication of many people and organizations. year of new regional directors who are responsible for endangered The San Juan River Basin is the second largest of the three sub-basins which comprise the Upper fish recovery efforts in the Upper Colorado River Basin. The San Juan River Basin drains about 38,000 square-miles of southwestern Colorado and San Juan River basins.

Mitch King is the regional direc- DJ MONETTE, AMERICANR5 NATIVE LIAISON Colorado, northwestern New Mexico, northeastern Arizona and southeastern Utah. From its origins tor of the Mountain-Prairie Region, high in the of Colorado, the San Juan River flows 31 miles south to the New which includes Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, North Dakota, South Mexico border, 190 miles west to the Four Corners area, and another 136 miles through a deep canyon Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas. He is also chairman of the Upper Colorado before entering . River Endangered Fish Recovery Program’s Implementation Committee SOUTHWEST REGIONAL DIRECTOR BENJAMIN The San Juan River Recovery Program was initiated in 1992 with a cooperative agreement signed TUGGLE PARTICIPATES IN A DEDICATION CEREMONY which governs the Recovery Program FOR THE IOWA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA’S NEW EAGLE by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, the and is comprised of one repre- REHABILITATION AND AVIARY CENTER IN PERKINS, OKLA. ON JANUARY 12, 2006. sentative of each of the Recovery governors of Colorado and New Mexico, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Program’s partners. recovery goals for endangered fish Tribe and the Jicarilla Apache Nation. The program’s goals are to conserve and recover populations of Dr. Benjamin Tuggle is the region- that are based on sound science. As al director of the Southwest Region, part of this collaborative approach, endangered razorback sucker and Colorado pikeminnow in the San Juan River Basin while water devel- which includes the states of Arizona, water development proceeds in accor- New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. opment proceeds in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws. The cooperative agreement is dance with state and federal laws.” Both Mitch and Benjamin have Benjamin shares Mitch’s longev- in the process of being amended to extend the San Juan Recovery Program through 2023. extensive backgrounds with the ity with the Service. His leadership Service. Most recently, Mitch, a 29- As in the Upper Colorado River Recovery Program, efforts to recover the endangered fishes include positions during the past 25 years year veteran of the Service, was assis- include serving as the acting special management, research and monitoring actions developed to achieve recovery goals. Some of the San tant director for Wildlife and Sport assistant to the director of the Service Fish Restoration in Washington, D.C. and as chief of the Division of Habitat Juan Recovery Program’s accomplishments this year are addressed in more detail in articles in this issue. Previously, he held a number of posi- and Resource Conservation. He has a tions in the Service’s Southeast Region Some of the highlights include: broad range of environmental man- headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., includ- agement skills including water issues, • This year’s approval to re-operate Navajo Dam should provide the river flows necessary for recovery. ing deputy regional director, acting resource development and associated regional chief of the National Wildlife wetland and upland habitat protec- • Evaluation of all diversion structures in the San Juan River that are barriers to fish passage is com- Refuge System, assistant region- tion and mitigation, habitat conserva- al director of Migratory Birds and plete. The Bureau of Reclamation is designing the last passage improvement to be constructed at tion and restoration, transportation, State Programs, geographic assistant energy development, marine mammal the Arizona Public Service Company weir. Construction of fish screens should begin at the Hogback regional director for portions of the protection and other related conserva- Southeast, and field supervisor for tion issues that impact fish and wild- diversion dam in 2007. the Georgia Ecological Services Office life resources. in Brunswick, Ga. He holds a degree • This year’s nonnative fish management actions extended to the entire San Juan River. “I’m looking forward to con- in Wildlife and Fisheries Science tinuing the great work already being • The Recovery Program is developing protocols to establish population estimates. from the University of Tennessee accomplished throughout this region, in Knoxville. • Expanded resources improved the San Juan Recovery Program’s ability to stock hatchery-raised including the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program,” razorback suckers and Colorado pikeminnow. As a result, the number of razorback suckers stocked Benjamin said. “I believe that our future success rests with collabora- this year may exceed the total number stocked in all previous years. tion and partnerships with other fed- eral, state and local resource agen- cies, tribal members, landowners and The Upper Colorado River Recovery Program also made numerous accomplishments this year that U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE the non-governmental environmen- tal groups. The San Juan Recovery are described in this issue. As we look toward 2007, both programs will continue to share informa- Program continues to enjoy success tion and strategies about the best methods to recover the endangered fishes in the Upper Colorado with these partnerships and can serve as a model for other Service programs. River Basin.  Partnerships will benefit everyone in the Southwest and will secure the MOUNTAIN-PRAIRIE REGIONAL DIRECTOR MITCH KING (RIGHT) LEARNS MORE ABOUT ENDANGERED conservation of fish, wildlife and their RAZORBACK SUCKERS FROM BIOLOGIST MIKE MONTAGNE WHO OVERSEES OPERATIONS AT THE habitats for the future.” OURAY NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY IN VERNAL, UTAH. Benjamin holds advanced degrees in zoology from The Ohio State University and a bachelor’s degree in “My vision for this region is to biology from Fort Valley State College balance sound science with respon- in Georgia. He has written 16 publica- sible and responsive government for tions in eight scientific journals and resource conservation,” Mitch said. three chapters in a Service resource “The Upper Colorado River Recovery publication. Program already does this through  working with partners to achieve page 5 Christopherson named Must be something in the water outstanding researcher Biologists raise fish — and babies of the year —by Sharon Sullivan, Staff Writer Excerpted from The Grand Junction Free Press tah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) Northeastern PHOTO CREDIT PHOTO Regional Supervisor Kevin Christopherson has been named the hree biologists with the U.S. Fish Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program’s and Wildlife Service, responsible U for raising thousands of baby Outstanding Researcher of the Year. Kevin’s 25-year career includes work- T ing with all aspects of fisheries biology including research, fish culture fish, now have a few more babies to and hatchery operations, conservation of fish and wildlife, and fishery care for. management. Each spring Thad Bingham, Travis Kevin has made many contribu- Francis and Brian Scheer are responsible tions toward recovery of the endan- for the spawning, and then the raising gered fish. of thousands of baby razorback suckers “From the beginning of his involve- at the Upper Colorado River Endangered ment with the Recovery Program, Kevin Fish Recovery Program’s Grand Valley brought a broad fishery perspective Endangered Fish Facility located north that has benefited program participants of Grand Junction, Colo. All three found out about some UTAH DIVISION OF WILDLIFEUTAH RESOURCES and the endangered fishes,” said Kevin Bestgen, director of Colorado State added responsibility last fall. That’s when the three men got University’s Larval Fish Laboratory, who WHILE THEY WERE BUSY RAISING ENDANGERED RAZORBACK SUCKERS, BIOLOGISTS THAD BINGHAM, TRAVIS paged in the middle of the night FRANCIS AND BRIAN SCHEER WERE MAKING BABIES OF THEIR OWN. THE BABIES, FROM LEFT: BAILEY, TRISTAN presented the award. “Kevin has always AND PEYTON. presented a reasonable and balanced to attend to an alarm call out at the viewpoint that is based in science, with hatchery. The electricity needed to keep the overall objective of recovering the the water flowing and oxygenated had half a million baby razorback suckers are separated to reduce the numbers RESEARCHER OF THE YEAR gone out. that were born in April. per tank. KEVIN CHRISTOPHERSON endangered fishes.” Kevin Christopherson’s lengthy Once the problem was fixed, the Bingham’s daughter, Bailey, was The goal of the hatchery is to raise career has taken him to assignments throughout Utah and Washington three started talking and, well, Scheer born April 26, Francis’ son, Tristan, came the fish to a length large enough to sur- including work at the fisheries experiment station in Logan, as a research related what happened next. May 11, and Scheer’s daughter, Peyton, vive when introduced to the wild. Once biologist in Cedar City, a fisheries program manager in Price, a reclama- “Travis said, ‘Looks like my wife and was born May 17. they’ve reached that size, the fish get tion biologist for PacifiCorp in Washington, and a stint as acting south- I are going to have a baby.’ placed in “grow-out” ponds around the east regional supervisor in Price. “Then Thad said, ‘Well really — I Prehistoric fish in the modern world valley where they stay for six months. He spent the last eight years of his career in Vernal as the UDWR proj- have some news for you, looks like my While the babies at home are Grow-out ponds allow the fish to ect leader for native and endangered aquatic species. During that time, he wife and I are having a baby also.’ the most important jobs the local adapt to the wild slowly, and to learn conducted several studies that address how to enhance habitats to recover “Then I jumped in,” Scheer said, biologist trio will ever have, the babies how to forage on their own in a preda- endangered fishes. Most recently, Kevin documented larval transport and “and I told them my wife and I are due they’re raising at work are pretty tor-free environment. habitat use during high spring flows. He confirmed that larvae drift into to have a baby also.” important, too. “Essentially it’s a stepping stone to floodplain wetlands, some as far as 54 miles from the spawning site. His Each of the men in charge of raising The razorback sucker has been the river,” Francis said. “We’re putting research also focused on larval survival in the presence of nonnative fish young fish for a living, were coinciden- around for nearly a million years and is them in the wild without the additional in floodplain wetlands. tally making babies of their own — all only found in the Colorado River Basin. stress of the current.” “These studies are right on target with the Recovery Program’s mis- due in the spring near the time of their “These fish are an indicator spe- In the fall, the razorback suckers are sion by helping to identify the minimum amount of water necessary to busy fish spawning season. cies,” Francis said. “They indicate the captured out of the ponds to be stocked recover these species,” said Recovery Program Director Bob Muth. “This The three biologists, who are also health of the environment around them. in the Colorado and Green rivers. information will help us identify the flows necessary to move larval good friends, were surprised at the So if they’re not doing well, there is “Propagation is an important com- endangered fish into the appropriate nursery habitats.” closeness of their due dates and a little obviously something bad with the envi- ponent of the Recovery Program. We’re Since becoming northeastern regional supervisor earlier this year, concerned the dates were so close to ronment that needs to be corrected.” seeing success,” McAda said. “Some Kevin’s responsibilities have broadened to include all of the wildlife spe- spawning season. The Grand Junction hatchery was stocked fish are surviving to adulthood cies in northeastern Utah. Spawning takes place once a year built in 1996, for the purpose of raising and spawning on their own.” “UDWR is very committed to the conservation of all of the species in mid-April and the timing is critical. the endangered fish, and to eventu- There are parallels to rearing fish of Utah, and I feel very fortunate for the opportunity to play a small role The adult fish are taken from ponds ally have a self-sustaining population and raising babies. in the Endangered Fish Recovery Program,” Kevin said. “The work was where daylight and water temperatures of razorback suckers in the Colorado “They both need to be fed a lot rewarding, but my fondest memories are of the many dedicated people provide a natural inclination for the fish River Basin again. The Recovery Program and have to be cleaned up often,” who worked on this effort.” to spawn. requires that 14,500 razorbacks be Francis said. Kevin holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of “Timing was such that the spawn- stocked annually. “About the only difference is the ing was complete before the babies There are 94 tanks at the hatchery fish don’t cry,” Scheer said. Utah and a master’s degree in biology from Utah State University.   (humans) started arriving,” said super- where baby razorback suckers are raised visor Chuck McAda. And the babies for 12 to 14 months. came one at a time so there was always For the first six weeks, the fish are an experienced biologist to attend to the fed by hand. As the fish get bigger, fish

swimming upstream

Upper Colorado River ������ Endangered Fish Recovery Program U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service P.O. Box 25486, Denver Federal Center Denver, Colorado 80225