Waterfall Effects on Native and Non-Native Fish Movement in the San Juan River
Channel: Conservation and Adaptation Resources Toolbox
Date: 2022-12-15

Starting in 2001, the formation of a waterfall on the San Juan River, near the inflow to Lake Powell in Utah, created a barrier to upstream fish migrations. Detection data from a Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) antenna indicated a large population of Razorback Suckers (Xyrauchen texanus) persists below the waterfall, which limits spawning season migrations. Since 2016, a concerted effort has been made each spring to capture Razorback Suckers downstream of the waterfall and transport individuals 1-5 km upstream. We will discuss how this barrier formed, where there are similar barriers, and how it impacts the management of both native and non-native fish species, which is important for Reclamation’s environmental compliance activities.

Presented by Mark McKinstry, Bureau of Reclamation
December 13, 2022