RECOVERY PLAN FOR THE
OWENS PUPFISH, CYPRINODON RADIOSUS
Published by
U.S. Fish ana Wildlife Service
Portland, Oregon
Approved:
Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
9Z, 7fy Date THIS IS THE COMPLETED RECOVERY PLAN OF THE OWENs PUPFISH. IT HAs BEEN
APPROVED BY THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE. IT DOES NOT
NECESSARILY REPREsENT OFFICIAL POSITIONS OR APPROVALS OF COOPERATING
AGENCIES AND IT DOES NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF ALL
INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN THE PLAN FORMULATION. THIS PLAN IS SUBJECT TO
MODIFICATION AS DICTATED BY NEW FINDINGS AND CHANGES IN SPECIES STATUS
AND COMPLETION OF TASKS DESCRIBED IN THE PLAN. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
WILL BE ATTAINED AND FUNDS EXPENDED CONTINGENT UPON APPROPRIATIONS,
PRIORITIES AND OTHER BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS.
LITERATURE CITATION SHOULD READ AS FOLLOWS;
U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE. 1984. RECOVERY PLAN FOR THE
OWENS PUPFISH, CYPRINODON RADIOSUS. U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE
SERVICE, PORTLAND, OREGON. 47 pp.
ADDITIONAL COPIES MAY BE OBTAINED FROM;
FISH AND WILDLIFE REFERENCE SERVICE
1776 E. JEFFERSON STREET, FOURTH FLOOR
ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20852
TELEPHONE; 1-800-582-3421
(IN MARYLAND; 1-301-468-1737) Acknowledgments
The authors of this recovery plan are Thomas L. Taylor, California
Department of Fish and Game (present address: California Department
of Parks and Recreation, P.O. Box 2390, Sacramento, California 95811) and Jack E. Williams, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (2800 Cottage
Way, Room E-1823, Sacramento, California 95825).
We are greateful to the reviewers who provided technical assistance on earlier drafts of this plan. In particular, we wish to acknowledge
Louis A. Courtois (California Department of Fish and Game,
Sacramento), Larry L. Eng (California Department of Fish and Game,
Sacramento), Gail C. Kobetich (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Sacramento), Robert R. Miller (The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor),
Peter B. Moyle (University of California, Davis), Edwin P. Pister
(California Department of Fish and Guile, Bishop), Donald W. Sada (U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Reno), and Darrell M. Wong (California
Department of Fish and Game, Bishop). Were it not for the tireless efforts of Edwin P. Pister and other members of the Desert Fishes
Council, the Owens pupfish and its habitats would have vanished long ago.
Cover Photograph: Fish Slough with White Mountains in the background.
Photograph taken 30 March 1981 by Thomas L. Taylor. Owens Pupfish Recovery Plan
Executive Summary
1. Point or condition when species can be considered recovered.
Species can be considered recovered when five populations, each
with a minimum overwintering population of SUU, have been
establisned in five separate areas. The populations must have
been free of threats for a period of five consecutive years with
no foreseeable threats in the near future.
2. What must be done to reach recovery?
Present populations need to be secured. Three new retugia need
to be established and their habitats secured.
3. What specifically must be done to meet needs of #2?
Habitat and populations will be secure When. I) exotic species
are controlled or eliminated, 2) emergent vegetation is
controlled, and 3) sufficient water quality is guaranteed. For
new refugia, habitats must be secured, management plans snould be
developed and implemented, and puptish should be introduced. 4. What management/maintenance needs nave been identified to keep
tne species recovered?
Management plans will be developed and implemented. A monitoring
program is proposed. Also, public education and law enforcement
progrems (including periodic review of applicable laws and
regulations) are included. TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
PART I. INTRODUCTION ...... 1
Taxonomy ...... 2
Description ...... 2
Ecology ...... 4
Historic Distribution and Decline . 6
Causes of Decline ...... 8
Current Status and Conservation Efforts ...... 9
PART II. RECOVERY ...... 16
Objectives ...... 16
Step-down Outline ...... 18
Narrative ...... 22
Literature Cited ...... 38
PART III. IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE ...... 41
APPENDIX ...... 47
List of Agencies Asked to Submit Review Comments. 47
OMENS PUPFISH RECOVERY PLAN
PART I. INTRODUCTION
The Oweris pupfish ( Cyprinodon radiosus) orginally ranged throughout
much of the Owens Valley, California. They were once abundant in
shallow marshy areas and springs along the Owens River from Fish
Slough in Mono County to Owens Lake in Inyo County, but domestic and
agricultral use of the springs and water diversions have eliminated
most of the habitat of the Owens pupfish. The introduction of exotic
predator and competitors has also contributed to the extirpation of
populations. For 14 years the Owens pupfish was believed to be
extinct, but in 1956 a small population was "discovered" in Fish
Slough. The significance of this population was not realized until it
was redi scovered in 1964. This small population has been the source
for all Owens pupfish populations that subsequently have been reestablished and exist today (Miller and Pister 1971).
The depl eted status of this species has been widely recognized in the
governmental and scientific communities. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service listed the Owens pupfish as endangered in 1967 (Federal
Register 32:400i). The State of California also lists this species as endangered (California Department of Fish and Game 1980) as does the
American Fisheries Society (Deacon et al. 1979). 2
Taxonomy
The Owens pupfish was orginally referred to as C. macularius (Kennedy
1916). This taxonomic identification was questioned when sufficient
information was collected to indicate that pupfish in the Amargosa and
Owens River drainages should be considered taxonomically distinct from
those in the Colorado River system (Miller 1943). In 1948, Miller published his findings describing the Owens pupfish, _C. radiosus, as a new species endemic to the Owens Valley. The type locality for the
Owens pupfisn is the northwest spring of Fish Slough (Miller 1946), which is currently within the Owens Valley Native Fish Sanctuary.
Relationships of C. radiosus, are considered to ue closer to the ancestral form of 4prinodon (cf. macuiarius), which entered the Owens and Deatn Valley areas during the Pliocene, than with C. nevadensis or
C. salinus (Miller 1981).
Description
The Owens pupfish is a small, deep-bodied fish with a laterally compressed shape. Maximum total length for this species is 60 mm (2
3/8 in) but most are typically 30 to 45 mm (11/4 to 1 3/4 in). i4prinodon radiosus closely resembles _C. _macularius _ _ _ _ except that they lack the spine-like projections on the circuli of the scales and the interspaces among the circuli possess prominent reticulations (Miller
1948). The structural scale pattern of C. radiosus is similar to that of C._ nevadensis and _C. _diabolis _ _ _ of the Amargosa River drainage as 3 well as C. salinus and C._ milleri of Death Valley. Cyprinodon radiosus differs from the pupfishes in the Amargosa and Death Valley regions by possessing a very anteriorly positioned dorsal fin
(predorsal length averages 53.3% of SL 1 in males and 54.8% in females) a thickened first dorsal fin ray, a higher average number of dorsal (i
= 11.1), anal (i =10.4), and pelvic (i = 6.9) fin rays; a much more slender head (averages 21.9% of SL), and a larger caudal peduncle
(averages 28.6% of SL in males and 26.2% in females) (Miller 1948).
The species is illustrated in Miller (1948:Plate IX), Moyle (1976.257) and Soltz and Naiman (1978:12-13).
Owens pupfish, like other species of Cyprinodon, are sexually dichromatic. Adult males possess a blue color overlying an olive color dorsally and slate ventrally (Miller 1948). Lateral bars are deep purplish with some gold color among the posterior bars. Lower parts of the head are silver and blue. The dorsal and anal fins are blue with an orange-amber border. The caudal fin may or may not possess a terminal black band. Miller (1948) characterizes the color of females as deep olive with brown lateral blotches and vertical bars shade toward purplish. The fins are yellowish with pale margins on the dorsal and anal. An ocellus is present on the posterior portion of the dorsal fin in females. Breeding colors of the Owens pupfish are described in detail by Miller and Pister (1971).
1 Standard length (SL) is the distance from the tip of the snout to
the end of the vertebral column. 4
Except for color differences, tne Owens puptisn exnibits little sexual
dimorphism. However, Miller (1948) noted that males possessed a
deeper body, head, and caudal peduncle than females. The caudal
peduncle is longer in males and the fins, particularly the anal, are
larger. Sexes exhibit little variation in other mensural characters.
Ecology
Male pupfish are larger than females and are territorial. The
spawning season extends from April to October depending on weather
conditions. Once the water temperature exceeds 2O°C, spawning begins.
Males become territorial and bright blue in color when spawning.
Males defend their territory from otner male pupfish as well as all
other fish species. Females that enter a male's territory are
courted. Eacn female can spawn a total of bi.) to 200 eggs per season, but rarely lays more than one or two eggs at a time (Barlow i961).
The eggs are transparent, demersal, and approximately 2 mm in diameter. They hatch in about 7 to 10 days, depending on water temperature. In captivity, pupfish larvae are large enough to feed from the day of hatching on small food items the size of brine shrimp nauplii (Great- and Haycock 1971). In the wild, pupfish fry live along the shorelines where the warm water supports abundant quantities of food. The fish mature in 3 to 4 months, permitting one spawning prior to their first overwintering period.
Runoff from winter and spring rains creates extensive shallow areas wnich provide excellent spawning and nursery habitat for the pupfish. 5
During spring, the size of the pupfish population increases dramatically as this habitat enlarges and warms (Brown 1971).
Historically, populations usually reached their peak during mid- to late-summer prior to the seasonal desiccation of marshy habitat.
Pupfish are omnivorous opportunists who feed on algae, aquatic insects, crustaceans, plankton, terrestrial insects that fall into the water, and even their own dead (Bunnell 1970). Kennedy (1916) analyzed the stomach contents of 14 pupfish and found the primary food item (90%) to be chironomid larvae. Owens pupfish are not piscivorous, but like other pupfish species, C. radiosus are predacious on their own eggs. Their small size and tolerance to temperature and salinity extremes permits the pupfish to forage in habitats too hostile for most other fish species. These areas are usually nursery grounds for insects, which provide an excellent food supply unavailable to other native adult fish species. Mosquitofish can also utilize these shallow areas and can effectively compete with the Owens pupfish. However, male pupfish can harass other species to death if they trespass into established pupfish territories (Hiscox
1978).
Basic habitat requirements for the Owens pupfish consist of a small amount of good quality water, some vegetation and a silt- or sand-covered bottom. Historically, pupfish were collected near the margins of large tule marshes in wide, shallow (8-15 cm) sloughs with abundant aquatic vegetation and in springs along the Owens River
(Miller and Pister 1971). 6
Typical habitat for the Owens puptisn are snallows witn sparse
cattails ( Typha.) and bulrush ( Scirpus) ana a sand-silt-detritus
bottom. These snallows are associated with relatively deeper water
where the adult pupfish establisn territories and spawn. Dense tule
stands seem to exclude pupfish, but the shallow areas adjacent to the
Owens River probably never became densely vegetated as a result of
their annual cycle of flooding and drying.
Historic Distribution and Decline
Owens pupfish orginally were found in the Owens River and adjacent springs and sloughs from the springs at Fish Slough in Mono County, to as tar south as, but not in, Owens Lake, Inyo County, anu in the springs around the lake (Figure 1). Miller (1948) and Miller and
Pister (1971) described a progressive decline in the population of
Owens pupfish from i9i6 through 1941.
In a 1934 survey of the Owens Valley, Carl L. Hubbs found only a few fish in pools along the big bend areas of the Owens River northeast of
Bishop where Clarence H. Kennedy had observed large schools of Owens pupfish in 1915 (Kennedy 1916, Miller and Pister 1971). During their survey, the Hubbs party could find no Owens pupfisn along the Owens
River between Laws and Bishop. During the 1930's, springs at Fish
Slough provided the last retugium for the Owens puptish. But by 1937,
Fish Slougn was primarily- inhabited by carp ( Cyprinus carpio) and largemouth bass ( Micropterus salmoides) (Miller and Pister i971). 7
r*Vr.t.'6?"•!..e4 .. ,, • Historical Distribution Current Distribution
•
Lake Crowley
Owens Valley Native Fishes (Salictuary... BLM Spring Ref ugium - r
BISti OP
cNWarm Springs * Refugium •?.
BIG PINE z
Tinemaha Reservoir
INDEPENDE
0 5 10 Mau'
Figure 1. Present and historical distribution of the Owens pupfish. Mono and Inyo Counties, California. 6
Surveys conducted in 1942 at Fish Slough failed to find any Owens
pupfish and the species was presumed extinct. The species was thought
to be extinct until I95u, when California Department of Fish and Game
personnel discovered a small population in shallow ponds along the
east side of Fish Slough (Miller and Pister 1971). This population
was largely torgotten until its "rediscovery" in .1 04. At that time,
tile population was estimated at only 2Uu individuals.
In addition to the puptisn, Owens sucker (Latostomus tumeiventris),
Owens tui chub ( Gila bicolor snideri) and speckled dace (Rhinichthys
osculus sspp.) are endemic to the Owens basin. Whereas the Owens
sucker has remained common, the Owens tui chub has declined
substantially and was proposed in 1984 for endangered status (Federal
Register 49:10959-1(J962). Although their taxomony is uncertain, one
or more of the local forms of speckled dace appear to have been
extirpated.
Causes of Decline
Shallow marshy areas adjacent to the Owens River were destroyed as
upstream impoundments and diversions prevented normal tlooaing cycles.
Dams aria canals diverted most or the water of the Owens River into the
Los Angeles aquaduct and subsequently out of the Owens Valley. Other
dams and diversion structurts on tne Owens River were built to
distribute water for agricultural use within tne Owens Valley.
Collectively these impoundments and diversions drastically altered tne habitat of the Owens pupfish. The introduction of exotic species also contributed to the decline of the Owens pupfisn. Largemouth bass,
Drown trout ( Salmo trutta), mosquitofisn and other exotics have been introduced into the Owens Valley. Largemouth bass, brown trout and crayfish ( Procambarus clarki) are predators on Owens pupfish, while mosquitofish probably compete with the Owens pupfish for food and space and may predate on younger individuals. Crayfish are also effective predators on pupfish eggs.
Currently the pupfish are not secure in any of their three refugia
(see below, Current Status and Conservation Efforts). Each refugium is vulnerable to disruption from various land uses. Ground water pumping from agriculture could threaten the aquifers supplying water to remaining springs. Also, largemouth bass, mosquitofish and crayfish have been planted in these refugia by individuals or agencies unaware of or unconcerned with the plight of the Owens puprish.
Vandals have destroyed habitat or structures built to create and maintain the habitats.
Current Status and Conservation Efforts
The Owens pupfish has been extirpated from much of its historic range within the Owens Valley. As of July 1984, three Owens pupfish populations exist in two man-modified refugia. These populations are the Owens Valley Native Fish Sanctuary and BLM Spring in Fish Slough, and Warm Springs (Figures 1, 2 and 3). 10
During 1968 and 1969, tne California Department of Fish and Game and
the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power created an 8.5 hectare
(2i acre) tenced sanctuary in Fish Slough containing a 2.3 hectare
(5.6 acre) pond. This area was officially declared the Owens Valley
Native Fish Sanctuary (OVNFS) by the Fish and Game commission in 1970.
It provides protected habitat for an Owens Valley tom ot speckled
dace, Uwens tui chub, and Owens sucker as well as Owens pupfish.
A reduction in water flow from the springs at what is now the Owens
Valley Native Fish Sanctuary in the summer of 1969 posed a threat to continued survival of the pupfish within the area, and additional refuges were created, one at BLM Spring, on the east side of Fish
Slough, during the summer of 1969, and the other at Warm Springs, 9 Km northeast of big Pine, during tne spring of 1970 (Figures 1 and 2).
Although the retugia in Fish Slough were designed to prevent invasion by exotic fishes, largemoutn bass have been introduced uy man above the fish barriers and have invaded the slough. The largemoutn bass preyed extensively on the pupfish and greatly reduced their numbers in
Fish Slough. In 1980, a second dam was added to the OVNFS 200 m below the original structure, which created a second impoundment (Figure 3).
At BLM Spring, in the southeast portion ot Fish Slough, a second dam downstream from the original structure was rebuilt in October, 1981.
Two shallow pools were created on either side of the stream channel upstream of the dam to provide pupfish habitat. .4 NORTHEAST SPRING MT.•• • * G * SOO A S • I! • OWENS VALLEY • • NATIVE FISH " IC • SANCTUARY • • f• •
16 a° 40 • 1. Cn
11070:4 • te • • e 110 f. • st
4. 1R
BLM SPRING Ike LI aT) •■-; •
Bishop 4ini SW
River
FIGURE 2. THE OWENS VALLEY NATIVE FISH SANCTUARY AND THE SURROUNDING FISH SLOUGH AREA.
12
550'
Spj.irt.p ‘ /'.
- R
\ Spr,inj \ ... \ # 1 \ Q / b I 1 in ct ( I 1 0 \ t 1 \ \ I t \ i % %.*... 1 \ '..... \ 2 I J
1 050 ' OWENS VALLEY NATIVE FISH SANCTUARY
Figure 3. Habitat improvement work at - tecondary the Owens Valley Native Fish Dam Structure Sanctuary. 13
Warm Springs refugium is a small pond formed by a single small dam and
fed by a thermal spring. It is located on Department of Water and
Power property north of Big Pine adjacent to the White Mountains. The
Warm Springs Refugium has been free from introduced fish predators;
however, crayfish and mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) have found their
way into the refugium and have required control measures in the past
to protect the pupfish population. Mosquitofish were successfully eradicated from Warm Springs in 1979, but have sporadically reappeared since then, presumably through illegal introductions.
Fish Slough is a unique wetland in an arid environment. The
University of California is eager to have the Fish Slough area included in its Land and Water Reserves System (UC LWRS) as an
Ecological Study Area. The uniqueness of Fish Slough goes beyond the
Owens pupfish. The Fish Slough milk vetch ( Astragalus lentiginosus var. piscinensis) is known only from Fish Slough. Several other rare plant species or disjunct plant populations also occur in the Fish
Slough area: Calochortus excavatus, Centaurium namophilum var. nevadensis, Fimbristylis thermalis, Spartina gracilis,
Dodecatheon pulchellum, and Astragalus argophyllus var. argophyllus.
An undescribed species of mollusc, the Fish Slough snail
( Fontelicella sp.), is known to occur in the OVNFS spring outflow and in Northeast Spring. Collectively, the occurrence of these unusual species demonstrates the overall uniqueness of this area. In recognition of these qualities, the Bureau of Land Management has proposed an Area of Critical Environmental Concern status for 35,926 14
acres encompassing Fish Slough and its surrounding hydrologic basin.
In conjunction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California
Department of Fish and Game, University of California and Los Angeles
Department of Water and Power, the Bureau of Land Management is preparing a management plan for the Fish Slough area.
In December 1982, the U.S. Congress passed HR. 2475, which provided for a 82 hectare (202 acre) land exchange between a private party and
BLM. This exchange nas placed the last parcel ot private land within
Fish Slough into public ownership. Thus, maintenance ot the integrity ot Fish Slough appears attainable.
Present refugia for the Owens pupfish provide warm water of good quality (Courtois and Tippets 1979). Natural fluoride levels of 1.5 mg/1 at BLM Springs may be a potential problem as this is at the reported maximum acceptable fluoride level for aquatic life (McKee and
Wolf 1963). Sufficient habitat for the recovery of Owens pupfish populations can be created and managed if there is adequate water and protection from exotic fishes.
The amount ot suitable habitat presently available for tne Owens pupfish is but a small percentage of the original amount of habitat in the Owens Valley. They have been eliminated from a large portion of the Owens Valley and are now restricted to three small man-modified refugia located at the northern end of the valley. These small, isolated populations constitute but a tiny fraction of the millions of 15
pupfish that must have once inhabited the flooded meadows of the Owens
Valley. Presently, where suitable habitat is found, exotic fishes
occur in abundance and pose threats to efforts to restore pupfish
populations. Because of habitat loss and the spread of exotic fishes
in Owens Valley, transplant efforts will have to include sites in adjacent Adobe Valley, where good habitat still exists. 16
MKT II. litGUVERY
OD4ectives
The primary objective of this recovery plan is to improve the status
or the Owens puptish to the point when it can ue removed from tne List
of Lndanyered and Tnreatened Wildlite. There are currently three
populations in the Owens valley. Two ot these are located in close
proximity to each other in Fish Slouyh an will De considered as one
population for the purposes of this discussion, as any event attectiny
one refugium could easily attect both. The first pnase of the recovery plan is to maintain and improve conditions in the existing refuyia. Uelisting can occur when five populations of Owens puptisn, each with a minimum overwinteriny population of 500, have become established in five separate areas and nave remained tree from threats
for at least five consecutive years with no toreseeaole threats in the future. Thus, at least tnree new retuyia need to ue established.
The interim objective ot this recovery plan is to restore the Owens puptish to tnreatened status. This ob,eutive can be achieved Dy expanding and assuring the preservation of the existiny popuiations, by estaolisning three additional populations elsewnere, and by minimizing threats to retugia. 17
New habitats selected for reintroduction of puptish should represent
as closely as possible the range of habitat types historically
available to pupfish in the Owens Valley. Potential habitats suitable
for reintroduction of Owens pupfish may require removal of exotic
species, modifications to exclude exotics from re-entry, and
enhancement of habitat conditions for pupfish. Modification of these
areas should be long-lasting but as economical as possible. Habitats
modified must be self-sustaining and protected from conflicting uses
such as sportfishing, groundwater depletion, certain grazing
practices, mining, incompatible land use in adjacent areas, or other
practices that could result in water pollution, habitat destruction or
lower groundwater levels.
Upon establisnment of five refugla with a minimum overwintering
population in each refugium of 500 tish, the Owens pupfish can be
considered for reclassification to threatened status. Removal from
the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife will be contingent upon
stability of populations and integrity of the habitats over a five
year period. There should De no threats in the foreseeable tuture.
If any retugium habitat has faced any threat or potential threat to
its existance (dewatering, introduction of exotic fish species,
vandalism, natural disasters, changes in land use or any other
man-caused events), the Owens pupfish shall not be considered for
delisting until the threat to the habitat has been eliminated and the
area is properly protected. When all five refugia have survived for
at least a five year period with no threats to the habitats, then the
Owens pupfish could be considered for delisting. 18
Step-aown Outline
Prime Objective. The primary objective of this recovery plan is to
improve the status ot the Owens pupfish to the
point when it can be removea trom the List of
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. There are
currently three populations in the Owens Valley.
Two of tnese are located in close proximity to
eacn otner in Fisn Slougn anu will be considered
as one population for the purposes of this
discussion, as any event attecting one retugium
coula easily aftect poth. The tirst pnaSe of tne
recovery plan is to maintain ana improve
conaitions in the existing refugia. Delistiny can
occur when five populations of Owens puptish, each
witn a minimum overwintering population of 500,
have become established in five separate areas and
have remained free from threats for at least five
consecutive years with no foreseeable threats in
the future. Thus, at least three new refugia need
to be established.
The interim objective of this recovery plan is to
restore tne Owens pupfish to threatenea status.
Tnis objective can oe achieved by expanding ana
assuring the preservation ot the existing 19
populations, by establishing three additional
populations elsewhere, and by minimizing threats
to refuyia.
1. Preserve and protect existiny Owens puptish populations and their
habitats.
ii. Owens Valley Native Fish Sanctuary and BLM Spring.
111. Manage exotic species.
1111. Eliminate exotic fishes.
1112. Control bullfrogs.
1113. Control crayfish.
1114. Prevent reintroduction of exotic species.
112. Manage habitat.
1121. Prepare management plan.
1122. Control submergent and emergent vegetation.
1123. Maintain dams.
12. Warm Springs Refuyium.
12i. Manage exotic species.
1211. Manage crayfish as required.
1212. Control exotic fishes.
122. Manage habitat.
1221. Control submergent and emergent vegetation.
1222. Maintain dam.
1223. Redesign outflow to prevent clogging.
1224. Install new entrance in fence. 20
2. Establish and protect viable self-sustaining Owens pupfish
populations in suitable new or restored habitats.
21. Establisn River Spring Lakes population.
211. Eliminate exotic fishes.
212. Control exotic species.
213. Manage emergent ana submeryent vegetation.
214. Prepare ana implement management plan.
215. Assure protection of water ana property rights.
216. Introduce Owens pupfish.
22. Select and establish other suitable transplant sites.
221. Evaluate potential sites.
2211. Evaluate water quality.
2212. Evaluate physical habitat.
2213. Evaluate potential biological effects.
2214. Evaluate habitat protection options on
property ownership and water rights.
2215. Evaluate the extent and long-term security
of source aquiter.
222. Prepare site for retugium.
2221. Assure protection of property and water rights.
2222. Prepare and implement management plan.
223. Select transplant stock and introduce Owens pupfish.
3. Monitor extant populations, transplants and habitat conditions.
31. Determine population size.
32. Determine reproductive success.
33. Assess habitat condition. 21
4. Conduct ecological studies of Owens pupfish for application to
management and recovery.
41. Determine habitat requirements.
42. Determine interactions between Owens pupfish and
mosquitofish.
43. Determine suitability of Owens pupfish for mosquito control
within Owens Valley.
5. Enforce laws and regulations protecting Owens puptish and its
habitat.
51. Enforce applicable Federal, State and local ordinances.
52. Review existing regulations and their enforcement and
recommend needed modifications, as appropriate.
6. Encourage public support by providing information of Owens pupfisn
status and recovery plan objectives.
61. Provide public awareness of Owens pupfish through
audio-visual programs and publications.
611. Provide information to press, TV and radio.
612. Prepare and distribute brochure.
613. Prepare appropriate articles for popular and scientific
publications.
62. Install information signs at essential habitat areas under
State, Federal or DWP management. 2 2.
Narrative
1. Preserve and protect existin_g Owens puptisn populations ana their
habitats.
Primary efforts ShOUIU be directed toward securing and maintaining
populations ot Owens pupfish in thc three existing retugia: Owens
Valley Native Fish Sanctuary (OVNFS), BLM Spring, and Warm
Springs. Information gathered from the management of these areas
has already been used to retine the design of structures used to
create and maintain the habitats in the refugia.
11. Owens Valley Native Fish Sanctuary and BLM Spring.
The refugia at OVNFS has two man-made ponds, which provide
extensive shallow areas for pupfish. The BLM Spring Refugium
also consists of spring areas that have been impounded behind
low dams.
Manage exotic species.
Because exotic species compete with and prey on the
Owens pupfish, their removal or control is necessary.
Lliminate exotic fishes.
The lower impoundment in tne OVNFS can be drawn
down, thereby concentrating all fish in a shallow
central channel. Exotic fish can then be
selectively removed. 23
1112. Control bullfrogs.
Similiarly, other exotic species can best be
controlled during low-water conditions.
Bullfrogs are a predator on juvenile and adult
pupfish.
1113. Control crayfish.
Crayfish may need to be controlled by trapping,
seining or chemicals in order to reduce
predation on the pupfish.
1114. Prevent reintroduction of exotic species.
Posting informational signs around the area may
discourage unauthorized exotic fish
introduction. However, fencing between the
outflow and lower impoundment waters may be
required to discourage or inhibit the
unauthorized introductions which are now
possible.
112. Manage habitat.
Because the habitats are, in part, artificially
maintained by dams or otherwise subjected to human
influences, they need to be carefully manayea.
Long-term plans for Fish Slough may result in a
multiagency management scheme for operatiny the entire 24 area as an ecological preserve and Iliterpretive use area. Conflicts may arise with present uses of the area (primarily waterfowl hunt1mg, fishing and certain grazing practices).
In addition to the management activities outlined below, grazing and fishing must be reduced or eliminated in the vicinity of the refugia in order to preserve the Owens pupfish populations. Grazing may eliminate marsh vegetation and cause water pollution.
Fishing near refugia often leads to the introduction of centrarchids, especially largemouth bass, which prey on the pupfish.
1121. Prepare management plan.
A multiagency management plan that emphasizes
the protection and restoration of natural or
semi-natural habitats in Fish Slough should be
developed.
1122. Control submergent and emergent vegetation.
The lower impoundment can be drawn down to
facilitate control of aquatic vegetation. 25
1123. Maintain dams.
Maintenance of dams and outflow structures is
necessary to provide proper water levels. If
outflow structures clog, water levels can rise
until impoundment structures are breached or
bypassed. This can create a route for exotic
species to gain entrance to the refugia.
12. Warm Springs Refugium.
Activities needed at this refugium include managing exotic
species, performing maintenance work on the habitat, and
monitoring the pupfish.
121. Manage exotic species.
Exotic species may need to be controlled or eliminated
to allow for the existence of the Owens pupfish. At
least once in the history of this refuge, the pupfish
population was eliminated by introduction of
mosquitofish and crayfish.
1211. Manage crayfish as required.
Crayfish, once eliminated by chemical treatment,
have reinvaded the refuge and may again need to
be controlled if the population becomes too
dense. See also, task 1221. 26
1212. Control exotic -fishes.
Mosquitofish may have been introduced either by
individuals using the pond for fishing or by the
county mosquito abatement district for vector
control. The outflow below Warm Springs still
contains mosquitofish ano crayrish as well as
Owens pupfish. Control at mosquitofish may be
required when they appear in the reruyium. Inc
local mosquito abatement office will need to be
contacted to prevent reintroduction or
mosquitofish.
122. Manage habitat.
Periodic habitat maintenance will be required to
protect and sustain the Owens pupfish population at
Warm Springs. The Warm Springs Refugium is used by
local people as a bathing area. Warm water and
isolation are the main attractions. This use is
compatible with the refuyium concept; however, problems
arise because of vandalism, littering, and the
possibility of introduction or exotics by people
unaware or uncaring of tne status of the puptisn. The
fence protecting the refugium from cattle nas been
vandalized, probably to make human access easier. This
can also allow cattle access to the refuyium. 27
1221 Control submergent and emergent vegetation.
Cattails ( IAN) and bulrush ( Scirpus) are
present in all areas surrounding the pool except
on the dam face. It will be necessary to
periodically cut back the vegetation to prevent
encroachment into the pool. This may also help
to control the crayfish population.
1222. Maintain dam.
In addition to regular maintenance, a cage-like
structure needs to be designed and installed
over the outflow to prevent vandalism.
1223. Redesign outflow to prevent clogging.
The outflow structure has been clogged by large
rocks taken from the dam facing. This raised
the water level until it overflowed the dam,
threatening its integrity. The outflow
structure should be modified to prevent
clogging.
1224. Install new entrance in fence.
Warm Springs would be better protected if a more
suitable fence were installed with access
through stiles or walk-ways. This would reduce
the occurrence of fence vandalism by individuals 28
seeking access to itlit rtunL. Such an
entrance would facilitate floirritoring of the
refugium, allow access by bathers, and prohibit
access by cattle.
2. Establish and protect viable self-sustaining Owens puptish
populations in suitable new or restored habitats.
Existing refugia are not absolutely safe from potential threats to
their populations. Two of them are within a mile ot one another
and could easily Pe threatened by a common event. Hence, it is
essential that at least three more retugia be estaulisned.
2i. Establish River Spring Lakes population.
River Springs Lakes in Adobe Valley should be suitable as a
refugium for Owens pupfisn. This area is located
approximately 10 miles northwest of Benton (T1N, R30E, Sec.
24; T1N, R3E, Sec. 19). Although outside the Owens Valley,
the site is nearby and was historically devoid of fish. An
assessment would be required to determine the feasibility of
introducing the Owens pupfish outside or its historic range.
Approval to introduce the species outside of its historic
range would be required trom the Director of the Fish and
Wildlife Service. 29
211. Eliminate exotic fishes.
The springs already contain an introduced population of
Amargosa pupfish ( C. nevadensis amargosae) (Miller
1968). This subspecies of Amargosa pupfish is not
threatened in its native range in the Amargosa River
and would have to be eliminated prior to the
introduction of Owens pupfish to prevent hybridization.
212. Control exotic species.
Any other exotic species identified as a potential
threat to Owens pupfish should be eliminated. Proper
precautions should be taken to insure the protection of
native invertebrates during any treatments.
213. Manage emergent and submergent vegetation.
Control of vegetation should be done simultaneously
with treatment of the spring to remove the exotic
pupfish.
214. Prepare and implement management plan.
A management plan for habitat improvement and
maintenance in relation to land use practices will need
to be developed. The management plan can then be
carried out. 30
215. Assure protection of water and property rights.
The source and ownership of water for these springs
needs to be evaluated. Rights may need to be acquired.
Part of the springs are on private land. Developing a
suitable agreement or conservation easement with the
present landowner could allow the area to be used as a
refugium.
216. Introduce Owens pupfish.
After exotic species have been eliminated and a
management plan has been approved and implemented , the
Owens pupfish should be introduced.
22. Select and establish other suitable transplant sites.
Additional populations of Owens pupfish need to be
established to insure the species perpetuity.
221. Evaluate potential sites.
Several potential sites exist for use as Owens pupfish
refugia. Little Lake, south of Owens Lake (T23S, R38E,
Sec. 17, 18 and 20) is already owned by California
Department of Fish and Game and is within the presumed
historic range of the species. Springs and seeps
around the periphery of Owens Lake could also serve as
refugia. Black Lake, located in Adobe Valley, is
another potential refugium site (T1S, R31E, Sec. 29 and 31
32; and T2S, R31E, Sec. 5), although located outside
the presumed historic range. Antelope Spring (TS,
R31E, Sec 8), also in Adobe Valley, is another
possibility.
2211. Evaluate water quality.
An evaluation of chemical and physical
properties of the water will have to be made
prior to introduction of pupfish.
2212. Evaluate physical habitat.
Physical characteristics of the habitat will
have to be evaluated as to their suitability as
a pupfish refugium.
2213. Evaluate potential biological effects.
The potential impact of pupfish on native
invertebrates needs to be evaluated.
2214. Evaluate habitat protection options on property
ownership and water rights.
Little Lake is owned by California Department of
Fish and Game, however, the ownership of
property and water rights for Black Lake needs
investigation. Agreements with landowners or
their agents may be necessary. 32
2215. Evaluate tne exten't and ioir erm :seturity of
source aquifer.
The physical properties of the 4qu1ler supplying
water to Little Lake and Black IIIke need to be
investigated.
222. Prepare site for refugium.
If various physical and chemical properties of the
habitat appear conducive to establishing a pupfish
population, then plans snould proceed for refugium
development.
2221. Assure protection of property and water
rights:
All plans will insure protection of private
property and water rights.
2222. Prepare and implement management plans.
Each site will be managed by concepts set forth
in a management plan. This plan will address
any necessary habitat modification and
maintenance and will be developed in association
with private landowners and public agencies
responsible tor areas within and around the
refugium. 33
223. Select transplant stock and introduce Owens pupfish.
Pupfish stock for newly developed refugia should be
taken from refugia most similar in water quality
aspects.
3. Monitor extant populations, transplants and habitat conditions.
Each population must be periodically monitored to determine its
status and the success ot the overall recovery effort. Tne
integrity of the habitat must also be monitored. Populations and
habitats should be surveyed twice annually.
31. Determine population size.
Estimates of population size will be one of the primary
indicators of current status. Populations should be censused
early in the spring (for overwintering level) and near the
end of the summer (for peak population size).
32. Determine reproductive success.
The ability of the pupfish to successfully reproduce through
several seasons is necessary for population viability and as
an indicator of success of the transplanted populations.
33. Assess habitat condition.
Habitat must be monitored to determine if any factors exist
that would be harmful to the Owens pupfisn. 34
4. Conduct eculu_gical studies ot Owens puptisn tor application to
management and_r.ecovery.
Tne refugia will provide opportunities to conduct ecological
studies on the pupfisn. Because the Owens pupfish has been
eliminated from so much of its former range, the reduced
populations have provided very limited opportunity to conduct such
studies. Basic aspects of their biology are either unknown or
open to conjecture from studies restricted to fish held in the
laboratory.
41. Determine habitat requirements.
Substrate and vegetation requirements for feeding, spawning,
establishment, and survival ot territories are needed.
42. Determine interactions between uwens p4ptisn ana
mosauitofisn.
Because of apparent simiiiarity in foods and nabitat,
special emphasis should be placed on determining the
interactions between Owens pupfish and mosquitofish.
43. Determine suitability_ot Owens pugish for mosquito control
within Owens Valley.
The suitability of the Owens pupfish as a mosquito control
agent within the Owens Valley needs to be determined. Use of
the Owens puptisn beyond the Owens Valley (i.e., historic
range) should not be considered for purposes of mosquito
control. 35
5 Entorce laws and regulations protecting Owens pupfish and its
habitat.
All laws to protect pupfish and their habitats should be enforced.
Enforcement personnel from all agencies should be given maps
denoting the location and access points to all refugia within
their area of responsibility. Enforcement personnel and all land
managers should also be made aware of the types of activities
detrimental to Owens pupfish and their habitat.
51. Enforce applicable Federal, State and local ordiances.
Provisions of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amemded,
and other applicable laws and regulations should be enforced.
52. Review existing regulations and enforcement and recommend
needed modifications, as appropriate.
The adequacy of existing regulations and their enforcement
should be reviewed once every two years. Needed changes
should be recommended to the appropriate agencies.
6. Encourage public support by providing information of Owens puptish
status and recovery plan objectives.
The public needs to be aware of the plight of the Owens puptisn,
the destruction ot habitat that has occurred in the Owens Valley,
the value of the pupfish, and ways that we can perpetuate its
existence. 36
61. Provide public awareness ot Owens puptisn through
aualo-visual programs aria publications.
Public support for the Uwdns puprish may oe gained úy
providing media coverage of events leading to the pupfish's
recovery, as appropriate.
611. Provide information to press, TV and radio.
Press releases snould be well-written, factual, and
designed to educate the public concerning the need to
recover the Owens pupfish.
612. Prepare and distribute brochure.
An informative aria attractive brochure should be
prepared tnat discusses the plight or tne puptish.
cri a brocnure could be distriouted to interested
parties and agencies.
u.L.J. Prepare appropriate articles tor popular and scientific
publications.
Articles for popular magazines should be prepared
describing the plight of the pupfish. Results of
resedrcn and their applicability to the species'
recovery should be made available to the scientific and
lay communities. 37
62. Instali information signs at essential habitat areas under
State, Federal or DWP management.
Information signs need to be installed at all refugia on
public lands. Such posting could serve as a public education
tool and act as a deterrent against vandalism and the
introduction of exotic species. 38
Literature Cited
Barlow, G. w. i96i. Social benavior ut the desert puptish, Lyprinuaon
macularius, in the fiela and in the aquarium. Amer. Midi. Nat.
65.339-359.
Brown, J. H. 1971. The desert puptish. Sci. Amer. L25.104-110.
Bunnell, S. 1970. The desert pupfish. Cry California. 5:2-14.
California Department of Fish ana Game. 1980. At the crossroads
1980: a report on California's endangered and rare fish and
wildlite. State of California, Resources Agency, Sacramento.
147 pp.
Courtois, L. A., and W. Tippets. i979. SUitUS ot the Owens puptisn,
Cyprinodon raalosus (Miiler), in California. California Fish and
Game Inlana Fish Ena. Spec. Proj. Spec. kept.
Crear, D., ana I. Haydock. i971. Laboratory rearing of the desert
pupfisn, Cyprinodon macularius. Fish. Bull. 69:151-156.
Deacon, J. E., G. Kobetich, J. D. Williams, S. Contreras et al.
1979. Fishes of North America endangered, threatened, or of
special concern: 1979. Fisheries (Bull. Am. Fish. Soc.).
4:29-44. 39
Hiscox, K. J. 1978. Cyprinodon radiosus status at Butte Co. Mosquito
Abatement District. California Dept. Fish and Game, Sacramento.
5 PP.
Kennedy, C. H. 1916. A possible enemy of the mosquito. California
Fish and Game. 2:179-182.
McKee, J. E., and H. W. Wolf. 1963. Water quality criteria. 2nd ed.
California State Water Res. Con. Bd. 548 pp.
Miller, R. R. 1943. The status of Cyprinodon macularius and
Cyprinodon nevadensis, two desert fishes of western North
America. Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan. 473:1-25.
Miller, R. R. 1948. The cyprinodont fishes of the Death Valley
system of eastern California and southwestern Nevada. Misc.
Publ. Mus. Zoo]. Univ. Michigan. 68:1-155.
Miller, R. R. 1968. Records of some native freshwater fishes
transplanted into various waters of California, Baja California,
and Nevada. California Fish and Game. 54:170-i79.
Miller, R. R. 1981. Coevolution of deserts and pupfishes
(genus Cyprinodon) in the American Southwest. Pp. 39-94.
In, R. J. Naiman and D. L. Soltz eds. Fishes in North American
deserts. John Wiley and Sons, New York. 40
Miller, R. R., and E. P. Pister. 1971. Management of the Owens
pupfish, Cyprinodon radiosus, in Mono County, California. Trans.
Amer. Fish. Soc. 100:502-509.
Moyle, P. B. 1976. Inland fishes of California. Univ. California
Press. Berkeley. 405 pp.
Soltz, D. L., and R. J. Naiman. 1978. The natural history of native
fishes in the Death Valley System. Nat. Hist. Mus. Los Angeles
Co. Sci. Ser. 30:1-76. 41
PART III. IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE
Table I, which follows, is a summary of scheduled actions and costs for the Owens pupfish recovery program. It is a guide to meet the objectives of the Recovery Plan for the Owens Pupfish, Cyprinodon radiosus, as elaoorated upon in Part II, Narrative section. This table indicates the priority in scheduling tasks to meet the objectives, which agencies are responsible to perform tasks, a time table for accomplishing these tasks, and lastly, the estimated costs to accomplish these tasks. Implementing Part III is the action of the recovery plan that, when accomplished, will bring about the recovery of this endangered species. 4FL
GENERAL CATEGORIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULES
Information Gathering - I or R Acquisition - A
I. Population status i. Lease 2. Habitat status 2. Easement j. Habitat requirements 3. Management agreement 4. Management techniques 4. Exchange 5. Taxonomic studies 5. Withdrawal 6. Demographic studies 6. Fee title 7. Propagation 7. Other 8. Migration 9. Predation 10. Competition li. Disease 12. Environmental contaminant 13. Reintroduction 14. Other information
Management - M Other - 0
J.. Propagation 1. Information and 2. Reintroduction education 3. Haoitat maintenance and 2. Law enforcement manipulation J. Regulations 4. Predator and competitor control 4. Administration 5. Depredation control 6. Disease control 7. Other management
RECOVERY ACTION PRIORITIES
I = An action that must be taken to prevent extinction or to prevent the species from declining irreversibly. 2 = An action that must be taken to prevent a significant decline in species populations/habitat quality, or some utner significant negative impact snort of extinction. 3 = All other actions necessary to provide for full recovery of the species. 43
IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE Owens Puptish Recovery Plan
Task Responsible Agencies Estimated Costs 1 General Task Task Duration FWS Other (in $1,000s) Category Plan Task Number Priority (Yrs.) Region Program Agencies FYI FY2 FY3 Comments/Notes
M4 Manage exotic species 111 1 Ongoing CDFG* 4 2 2 OA OVNFS and BLM Springj
A3 Prepare management plan 1121 2 1 1 SE 0.5 Ltor OVNFS and BLM Springj BLM* 2.0 CDFG 0.5 DWP 0.5 UC LWRS 0.5
M3 Control submergent and 1122 1 Ongoing BLM* 1 1 1 emergent vegetation Lat OVNFS and BLM Spring]
M3 Maintain dams Lat OVNFS 1123 1 Ongoing BLM* 1 1 1 and BLM Spring]
M4 Manage exotic species 121 1 Ongoing CDFG* 2 Lat Warm Springs Refugium]
M3 Control submergent and 1221 1 Ongoing CDFG* 0.5 0.5 0.5 emergent vegetation DWP 0.5 0.5 0.5 Lat Warm Springs Refugiumj
M3 Maintain dam Lat Warm 1222 1 Ongoing CDFG* 2 1 1 Springs Refugiumj DWP 1
M3 Redesign outflow to 1223 3 1 CDFG* 4 prevent clogging Lat DWP i Warm Springs Refugiumj 44
Task Responsible Agencies Estimated Costs i General Task Task Duration FWS Other (in $1,000s) Category Plan Task Number Priority (Yrs.) Region Program Agencies FYI FY2 FY3 Comments/Notes
M3 Install new entrance in 1224 3 1 CDFG* 1 fence [at Warm Springs Refugiumj
M4 Eliminate exotic fishes 211 3 2 CDFG* 5 2 Lat River Springs Lake.)
M4 Control exotic species 212 3 Continuous CDFG* 1 1 Lat River Springs Lake]
M3 Manage emergent and 213 3 Continuous BLM* I 1 submergent vegetation [at River Springs Lake]
M7 Prepare and implement 214 3 4 CDFG* 3 2 Task concludes in management plan BLM 2 1 FY 5. Lfor River Springs Lake]
A3 Assure protection of 215 3 1 CDFG* 15 water and property rights [at River Springs Lake]
M2 Introduce Owens pupfish 216 3 1 CDFG* Task occurs in FY4. Lat River Springs Lake]
113 Evaluate potential 221 3 4 CDFG* 7 7 7 Task concikide sites FY 4-
M2 Prepare site for 222 3 3 CDFG* 15 15 Task konciudes in refugium BLM 2 3 FY 4:
41, 45
Task Responsible Agencies Estimated Costs' General Task Task Duration FWS Other (in $1,000's) Category Plan Task Number Priority (Yrs,) Region Program Agencies FY1 FY2 FY3 Comments/Notes
M2 Select transplant stock 223 3 1 CDFG* and introduce Owens pupfish
Ii Monitor extant 3 3 Ongoing CDFG* 5 6 6 populations, transplants BLM 2 2 2 and habitat conditions
13 Determine habitat 41 2 3 CDFG* 15 15 10 requirements BLM 3 3 3 1 SE 3 3
19 Determine interactions 42 2 2 1 SE* 10 5 between Owens pupfish and mosquitofish
19 Determine suitability of 43 3 2 MCP* 5 3 Owens pupfish for mosquito control within Owens Valley
02 Enforce applicable 51 2 Ongoing CDFG* 5 5 5 Federal, State and local BLM 2 2 2 ordinances I LE 1 1
02 Review existing 52 3 Ongoing 1 SE 0.5 Will be done regulations and their CDFG* 0.5 every other year. enforcement and recommend needed modifications, as appropriate 46
1 Task Responsible Agencies Estimated Costs General Task Task Duration FWS Other (in $1,000s) Category Plan Task Number Priority _Ors.) Region Program Agencies FYI FY2 FY3 Comments/Notes
01 Provide information to 611 2 Ongoing CDFG* 5 5 5 press, TV and radio BLM 2 2 2 I SE 1 1 1
01 Prepare and distribute 612 3 5 1 SE* 5 1 Task concludes in brochure FY 6.
01 Prepare appropriate 613 3 Continuous 1 SE* 5 5 articles for popular and scientific publications
01 Install information 62 2 3 CDFG* 5 5 5 signs at essential habitat BLM 2 2 areas under State, Federal DWP 2 2 or DWP management
Key to Responsible Agencies and Definitions
BLM - Bureau of Land Management DWP - Los Angeles Department of Water and Power FWS - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (SE = Endangered Species, LE = Law Enforcement) CDFG - California Department of Fish and Game MCP - Mosquito Control Program, Inyo County Environmental Health Department UC LWRS - University of California Land and Water Reserves System Ongoing - tasks currently underway and will continue from year to year Continuous- once funded, tasks will continue year to year
*denotes lead agency
4 47 APPENDIX
List of Agencies Asked to Submit Review Comments
I. California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento*
2. California Department of Parks and Recreation, Sacramento*
3. Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Los Angeles*
4. U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Sacramento*
5. National Fishery Research Center, Seattle*
6. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C.*
* Review comments received and addressed in final plan version.