1 Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

The Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery

Program and the San Juan River Basin Recovery

Implementation Program are national models of costeffective, public and private partnerships working to

recover endangered species while water development

continues in compliance with Federal and State laws.

The programs’ efforts will help ensure that the 

humpback chub, bonytail, Colorado pikeminnow, and

razorback sucker remain an important part of the 

West’s heritage. 

Program Highlights is produced annually to provide current information on the progress these programs are

making toward recovery of the endangered fishes. This

document is not a publication of the U.S. Department

of the Interior or its agencies. 

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program 

and

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

Program Highlights 2004-2005

Preserving the West’s Heritage
2 2004-2005 Program Highlights

The geographic scope of the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program is the Colorado River and its tributaries in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. The geographic scope of the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation

Program is the San Juan River and its tributaries in Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico.

Upper Colorado River Basin
Endangered Fish Recovery Programs Continue to Garner Bipartisan Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Cooperation Key to Wise Water Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Program Overview

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Recovery Goals Provide Measures of Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Water Project Consultations Under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Endangered Fish Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10&11

Highlights of Recovery Program Accomplishments

Habitat Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Habitat Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Nonnative Species, Sportfishing, and Public Information/Involvement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13&14

Endangered Fish Propagation and Stocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14&15

Research, Monitoring, and Data Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Program Expenditures

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Fish Passage Provides Access to River Habitat Blocked for Nearly a Century . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Progress Made to Manage Nonnative Fish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Programs are Authorized in Federal Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Table of Contents

3 Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program
COLORADO

“These Recovery Programs work through the

strong partnership established between the

States of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and

Wyoming, Indian tribes, water and power developers, environmental interests, and Federal

agencies...Endangered fish recovery efforts have

been able to proceed while municipal and agricultural water users

have put to beneficial use 1.7 million acre-feet of water constituting

756 projects. These projects have relied on the Recovery Programs

as regulatory compliance for the Endangered Species Act, and all of

this activity has been accomplished without a single lawsuit.”

Bill Owens, Governor, State of Colorado

NEW MEXICO

“Congress enacted Public Law 106-392 with

strong bipartisan support. Public Law 106-392

authorizes the Federal government to provide up

to $46 million of cost sharing for the implementation of capital projects... The four participating

States of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and

Wyoming and their water users will contribute up to an aggregate of

$17 million to the programs, and $17 million will be contributed

from revenues derived from the sale of Colorado River Storage Project

hydroelectric power....The substantial non-Federal cost sharing

funds demonstrate the strong commitment and effective partnerships

that are present in both the San Juan and Upper Basin programs.”

Bill Richardson, Governor, State of New Mexico

UTAH

“The Recovery Program is a mutually supported

partnership involving the States of Utah,

Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming, as well as

environmental organizations, power users, water

users, and development interests. It is important

to note that, because of the cooperation between

the partners, water development along the river

has continued to proceed without a single lawsuit.”

Jon M. Huntsman, Jr., Governor, State of Utah

WYOMING

“These ongoing, highly successful cooperative

programs... reflect the proper approach to providing endangered species conservation and recovery

within the framework of the existing Federal

Endangered Species Act, while concurrently

resolving critical conflicts between endangered

species recovery and the development and use of Compact-apportioned water resources.”

Dave Freudenthal, Governor, State of Wyoming

Endangered Fish Recovery Programs 

Continue to Garner Bipartisan Support

The ongoing progress of the Upper Colorado River

Endangered Fish Recovery Program and the San Juan

River Basin Recovery Implementation Program is recognized by State and Federal leaders. 

Department of the Interior

“Meeting the needs of endangered species while respecting the

legal rights of water users has been a priority of the Department of

the Interior under this Administration. In the Upper Basin, we

have had success building multi-stakeholder programs to address

the needs of listed species. The Upper Colorado River Endangered

Fish Recovery Program [is an example] of how a broad group of

stakeholders - including Federal, State, tribal, and private interestscan work together to improve water management on the Colorado

[River].” (Excerpted)

Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton, December 11, 2003

Colorado River Water Users Association Annual Meeting

Las Vegas, Nevada

“The programs [San Juan River Basin and Upper Colorado River]

are engaged in the hard, day to day work of recovering endangered

species. They provide Endangered Species Act compliance for more

than 800 water projects. The Upper Colorado program has become

a national model for recovering endangered species while addressing the demand for water development to support growing western

communities.” (Excerpted)

Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton, January 28, 2005

Colorado Water Congress 47th Annual Convention 

Denver, Colorado

Department of the Interior Secretary Gale Norton frequently cites the Upper

Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program as an example of a successful effort to recover endangered species while water development continues.

4 2004-2005 Program Highlights
Cooperation Key to Wise Water Management

Wise management of water resources in the arid

West is always important, particularly in times of

drought. A five-year period of sustained drought

continues to have serious impacts on people and wildlife.

Water-year 2002 was the driest in more than 100 years in parts

of the Upper Colorado River Basin, and drought’s grip on the

basin remained strong in 2004. 

History tells us the effects of drought are persistent and may

influence the Colorado River System for several more years.

There are indications that the drought has negatively affected

certain endangered fish populations and has increased the

abundance and distribution of some problematic nonnative

fish species in many river reaches. 

The Upper Colorado River and San Juan River Endangered

Fish Recovery Programs are responding to the challenge of

water management by working cooperatively with local,

State, Federal, and tribal agencies to meet the needs of people

and endangered fish. A key to success is coordination among

stakeholders to identify the greatest water needs at any specific time and adjust flows to meet those high-priority needs.

Examples of recently implemented measures are:

I The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sets flow targets for 

the endangered fishes to provide sufficient habitat 

for survival during drought conditions. Contracts and 

leases are in place to provide supplemental late-summer 

low flows as needed. Over the past six years, over 

one-quarter million acre-feet of water has been provided 

for endangered fish augmentation in the upper basin.

I The fish ladder at the Redlands Diversion Dam on the 

Gunnison River in western Colorado is operated to share 

water shortages while still providing passage to help fish 

reach river reaches where water is available.

I The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is near completion of the

Grand Valley Water Management Project. With 

completion of the Highline Lake pump station in 2005 

and full automation of the seven canal checks, an 

estimated 28,000 acre-feet of water will be saved each year.

I The Upper Colorado River Recovery Program partners 

have agreed to fund 5,000 acre-feet of a 12,000 acre-foot 

enlargement of Elkhead Reservoir in northwest Colorado 

to make water available to augment late-summer flows in 

the Yampa River. The Colorado River Water Conservation 

District will fund the remaining 7,000 acre- feet, which

will help meet future human demands in the Yampa River 

Basin. Construction is slated to begin in 2005 with 

completion in 2007. 

I State and Federal agencies, Indian tribes and water users 

continued to work together in 2004 to develop and 

implement recommendations to share water shortages in 

Navajo Reservoir and the San Juan River Basin. The 

organizations included the New Mexico State Engineer, 

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, U. S. Bureau of Indian 

Affairs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and 10 major 

water users in New Mexico. This “shortage-sharing 

agreement” and its accompanying cooperation prevented 

what could have been catastrophic impacts for all water 

users, including the endangered fishes. Reservoir releases 

have been reduced to conserve water during winter. A 

similar water-sharing agreement is being developed for 2005. 

Management of water to provide necessary habitat for the

endangered fishes is an integral part of recovery efforts.

Although many gains have been made, both Recovery

Programs recognize that more needs to be done and they continue to seek innovative solutions to meet water needs. 

Five years of sustained drought in the 15-Mile Reach of the Colorado River near

Grand Junction, Colorado, required the Upper Colorado River Recovery Program

to augment base flows with fish water secured through agreements with the

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Denver Water, the Colorado Water Conservation

District, and the State of Colorado.

5 Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

Added Fish Water

Base Flows

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0

Average August Flow at Palisade Gage

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

13 Year Average Flow

CFS*

An agreement to share water shortages in Navajo Reservoir and the San Juan

River prevented what could have been catastrophic impacts for all water users,

including the endangered fishes, during the drought.

Colorado State Parks

* Cubic Feet Per Second Years
Program Overview

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program

The Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery

Program is a cooperative partnership created to recover the endangered humpback chub, bonytail, Colorado

pikeminnow, and razorback sucker while water development

proceeds in accordance with Federal and State laws. The

Recovery Program was initiated in 1988 when a cooperative

agreement was signed by the Governors of Colorado, Utah,

and Wyoming; the Secretary of the Interior; and the

Administrator of Western Area Power Administration. These

parties signed a 10-year extension of the agreement in 2001,

extending the Recovery Program through September 30, 2013.

Program Partners

I State of Colorado

I State of Utah

I State of Wyoming

I Colorado River Energy Distributors Association

I Colorado Water Congress

I National Park Service

I The Nature Conservancy

I U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

I U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

I Utah Water Users Association

I Western Area Power Administration

I Western Resource Advocates

I Wyoming Water Association

Program Elements

I Habitat management includes identifying and acquiring 

adequate instream flows in accordance with State water 

laws and interstate compacts. 

I Habitat development restores habitat to develop 

spawning and nursery sites, provide fish passage at dams 

and prevent fish from becoming trapped in diversion 

canals.

I Nonnative species and sportfishing implements actions 

to reduce the threat of certain nonnative fish species to 

endangered fish while maintaining sportfishing 

opportunities. 

I Endangered fish propagation and stocking involves 

raising genetically diverse fish in hatcheries and 

stocking them into the river system. 

I Research, monitoring, and data management provides 

critically important information about what the 

endangered fishes need to survive, grow, and reproduce in

the wild. Population monitoring is also an important part

of this element to monitor progress toward achieving the 

recovery goals (see page 8). 

Mick Caldwell nets a northern pike in the Yampa River while Chris Smith (left)

and Frank Pfeifer look on. The ball at the front of the boat emits a small electric charge that temporarily stuns fish so the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service crew

can catch them as part of a nonnative fish management effort. 

Razorback suckers are swimming in a new aquarium next to 150 million-yearold dinosaur bones and fossils in Dinosaur National Monument’s visitor center.

The historic fish add a new dimension to the interpretive messages the monument provides.

Rob Gebhart, Craig Daily Press

6 2004-2005 Program Highlights

Al Bertrand
San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

The San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation

Program was established in 1992 to protect and recover Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker in the

San Juan River Basin while water development proceeds in

compliance with all applicable Federal and State laws, including fulfillment of Federal trust responsibilities to Native

American tribes. It is anticipated that actions taken under this

Recovery Program to recover the Colorado pikeminnow and

razorback sucker will also provide benefits to other native fishes in the basin and prevent them from becoming endangered

in the future.

Program Partners

I State of Colorado

I State of New Mexico

I Jicarilla Apache Nation

I Navajo Nation

I Southern Ute Indian Tribe

I Ute Mountain Ute Tribe

I U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs

I U.S. Bureau of Land Management

I U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

I U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

I Water Development Interests

Program Elements

I Protection of genetic integrity and management and 

augmentation of populations maintains genetically 

diverse endangered fish species and raises new generations

of fish to stock in the river system.

I Protection, management, and augmentation of habitat

identifies important reaches of the San Juan River for 

different life stages of the endangered fishes and makes 

suitable habitat improvements, including providing fish 

passage around migration barriers.

I Water quality protection and enhancement

monitors existing water quality conditions, and takes 

action to diminish or eliminate identified water quality 

problems that limit recovery.

I Interactions between native and nonnative fish species

identifies nonnative fish species that most threaten the 

future of the endangered fishes and implements actions to

reduce negative interactions.

I Monitoring and data management evaluates status and 

trends of endangered fishes as well as other native and 

nonnative species to assure the Recovery Program’s 

overall success in achieving recovery goals (see page 8).

Local students learn to identify native and nonnative fishes by helping biologists

sort the day's catch at the fish passage at the Public Service Company of New

Mexico Weir on the San Juan River.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

7 Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

Ernie Teller, U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biologist Steve Davenport weighs a channel catfish

collected during nonnative fish removal efforts on the San Juan River in 2004.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved final,

basin-wide recovery goals for the endangered humpback chub, bonytail, Colorado pikeminnow, and

razorback sucker on August 1, 2002. The recovery goals were

developed with collaborative input from public, private, and

tribal stakeholders, and scientists from the Colorado River

Basin. The goals are based on the best available science and

provide reasonable assurances that recovery can be achieved

and the species protected into the future.

The Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery

Program and the San Juan River Basin Recovery

Implementation Program are using this information to

expand their efforts to bring the four fish species back from the

brink of extinction. The Recovery Programs are stocking

hatchery-produced fish, working to manage nonnative fishes,

and improving habitat to maintain or restore populations. 

Consistent with the governing documents of the Upper

Colorado River and San Juan River Recovery Programs, the

recovery goals adhere to State and Federal laws related to the

Colorado River System (“Law of the River”), including State

water law, interstate river compacts, and Federal trust responsibilities. 

Recovery Goals Provide Measures of Success

DOWNLISTING DELISTING

Humpback Chub

Over a 5-year monitoring period:

• Maintain the six populations (“no net loss”)

• One core population in upper basin > 2,100 adults

• One core population in lower basin > 2,100 adults

Bonytail

Over a 5-year monitoring period:

• Maintain reestablished populations in Green River and Upper

Colorado River Subbasins, each > 4,400 adults

• Maintain established genetic refuge of adults in lower basin

• Maintain two reestablished populations in lower basin, 

each > 4,400 adults

Colorado Pikeminnow

Over a 5-year monitoring period:

• Maintain the upper basin metapopulation

• Maintain populations in Green River and Upper 

Colorado River Subbasins (“no net loss”)

• Green River Subbasin population > 2,600 adults

• Upper Colorado River Subbasin population > 700 adults

• Establish 1,000 age 5+ subadults in San Juan River

Razorback Sucker

Over a 5-year monitoring period:

• Maintain reestablished populations in Green River Subbasin

and EITHER in Upper Colorado River Subbasin or in San Juan 

River Subbasin, each > 5,800 adults

• Maintain established genetic refuge of adults in Lake Mohave

• Maintain two reestablished populations in lower basin, 

each > 5,800 adults

For 3 years beyond downlisting:

• Maintain the six populations (“no net loss”)

• Two core populations in upper basin > 2,100 adults

• One core population in lower basin > 2,100 adults

For 3 years beyond downlisting:

• Maintain populations in Green River and Upper

Colorado River Subbasins, each > 4,400 adults

• Maintain genetic refuge of adults in lower basin

• Maintain two populations in lower basin, 

each > 4,400 adults

For 7 years beyond downlisting:

• Maintain the upper basin metapopulation

• Maintain populations in Green River and Upper

Colorado River Subbasins (“no net loss”)

• Green River Subbasin population > 2,600 adults

• Upper Colorado River Subbasin population > 1,000

adults OR Upper Colorado River Subbasin population

> 700 adults and San Juan River population > 800 adults

For 3 years beyond downlisting:

• Maintain populations in Green River Subbasin and EITHER 

in Upper Colorado River Subbasin OR in San Juan River

Subbasin, each > 5,800 adults

• Maintain genetic refuge of adults in Lake Mohave

• Maintain two populations in lower basin, each > 5,800

adults

The recovery goals identify site-specific management actions

to minimize or remove threats and specify the numbers of fish

that comprise self-sustaining populations (see table below).

Downlisting of the fishes from “endangered” to “threatened”

and removing the species from Endangered Species Act protection (delisting) may be considered by the U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service once the necessary management actions are

achieved and the fish populations reach the required demographic and genetic self-sustaining standards.

The recovery goals are comprehensive, biologically and legally sound, and provide specific criteria for recovery. Researchbased adaptive management, however, may lead to future

revisions of the recovery criteria. The recovery goals and the

status of the species will be formally reviewed at least every

five years. Monitoring of fish populations will help guide this

process, and population estimates will serve as a starting

point against which progress toward recovery is measured.

More information is available at: 

mountain-prairie.fws.gov/ea/infopackets 

or by calling 303-969-7322, ext. 225.

8 2004-2005 Program Highlights

DEMOGRAPHIC CRITERIA FOR RECOVERY
Table 1

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program

Summary of Section 7 Consultations

(1/1988 through 12/31/2004)

Table 2

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

Summary of Section 7 Consultations

State Acre-feet/yr

New Mexico 617,216

Colorado 217,456

Utah 9,140

Arizona 10,010

Total 853,822

Under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act within the Upper Colorado River & 

San Juan River Recovery Programs

Number of

State Consultations Acre-feet/yr Acre-feet/yr Acre-feet/yr

Colorado 424 1,032,420.04 139,211.52 1,176,747.57

Utah 40 433,604.74 60,393.95 495,127.77

Wyoming 101 41,176.79 14,752.52 56,878.44

Regional* 238 (regional) (regional) 0.00

Totals 803 1,507,201.57 214,357.99 1,728,753.78

Historic New

Depletions Depletions Totals

Depletions

Water Project Consultations

9 Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

* Depletions included in historic projects.
10 2004-2005 Program Highlights

Endangered Fish Status 

Upper Colorado River and San Juan River Recovery Programs

I Monitoring and research efforts to track and better understand the status of humpback chub populations continue. The

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other Recovery Program 

partners are assessing the reliability of population estimates and

sampling methods through adaptive management.

I Recently reported downward trends in some humpback chub

populations may be attributed to drought conditions and increases in the abundance and distribution of certain nonnative fishes.

The Recovery Program is conducting research and taking management actions to address these impacts.

Bonytail

I This is the rarest of the four endangered Colorado River fish

species. Before stocking began, the species had essentially disappeared

in the Upper Colorado River Basin.

I Stocking efforts continue to reestablish two self-sustaining populations in the upper basin (see recovery goals, page 8).

I Stocked bonytail are being recaptured in several locations

throughout the Upper Colorado River Basin. This information will be

used to help determine the life-history and habitat requirements of the

species.

I More than 250,000 bonytail have been raised and stocked in

the Colorado and Green rivers. The Utah Department of Wildlife

Resources stocked 6,600 bonytails greater than 6 inches and the

Colorado Division of Wildlife stocked over 6,600 bonytails greater

than 8 inches in the middle Green River system in fall 2004.

These agencies also stocked over 8,200 bonytails greater than 

7 inches in the Colorado River.

I Stocking has been expanded to place fish into floodplain wetlands along the Green River to enhance early growth and survival.

Humpback Chub

I Five self-sustaining populations occur in canyon-bound river

reaches of the Upper Colorado River Basin. About 3,000 adults occur

in the Black Rocks and Westwater Canyon populations near the

Colorado-Utah border. The Yampa Canyon and Cataract Canyon

populations are small, each consisting of a few hundred adults. The

population in Desolation/Gray Canyons is estimated at about 1,000

adults.
Illustrations © Joseph R. Tomelleri

Razorback Sucker

I Genetic stocks of wild fish have been secured in hatcheries, and

their offspring are being stocked to reestablish or enhance wild populations. Recovery goals require two self-sustaining populations in the

upper basin (see recovery goals, page 8).

I Over 80,000 subadults have been raised and stocked in the Upper

Colorado River Basin to date. In 2004, the Recovery Program stocked

over 19,800 subadults. In addition, over 300,000 larvae were stocked in

floodplain wetlands along the Green River for research on survival and

growth.

I Stocked fish in the Green River have been captured at spawning

sites in reproductive condition, and captures of larval razorback suckers suggest that these fish are successfully reproducing.

I Larval razorback suckers were discovered for the first time in

the Gunnison River in 2002, and again in 2003, confirming that

stocked fish are spawning.

I About 10,850 subadults and adults have been stocked in the

San Juan River since 1994.

I Groups of stocked fish in reproductive condition have been

observed at spawning sites in the San Juan River, indicating that

they are establishing a wild population.

I Larval razorback suckers have been found in the San Juan River

every year since 1998, and juveniles were found in 2002 and 2003,

confirming that stocked fish are spawning and young are surviving.

I Recently reported downward trends in the Green River population may be attributed to drought conditions and increases in

the abundance and distribution of certain nonnative fishes. The

Recovery Program is conducting research and taking management

actions to address these impacts.

I Over 3,000 juvenile Colorado pikeminnow were stocked in

the Colorado and Gunnison rivers of western Colorado during

2004.

I Stocking efforts continue in the San Juan River to achieve

requirements of the recovery goals. Over 668,000 juveniles have

been stocked since 2002, and approximately 300,000 are scheduled to be stocked in fall 2005.

Colorado Pikeminnow

I Self-sustaining populations occur in the Green and 

Colorado river systems of the Upper Colorado River Basin.

I Since 1991, abundance estimates for adult Colorado pikeminnow

in the Colorado River have continued to increase; the current population estimate is about 700 adults. Recent estimates in the Green River

system place the number of adults at about 2,300.

I Monitoring and research efforts to track and better understand the

status of Colorado pikeminnow populations continue. The U.S. Fish

and Wildlife Service and other Recovery Program partners are assessing the reliability of population estimates and sampling methods

through adaptive management.

11 Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program
Habitat Management

Highlights of

Recovery Program Accomplishments

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish 

Recovery Program

I Since 1988, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has 

consulted on 803 water projects depleting approximately 

1,729,000 acre-feet per year in the upper basin using the 

Recovery Program as a reasonable and prudent 

alternative. The Service simplified the Section 7 

consultation process, and waives depletion charges for 

water projects that deplete less than 100 acre-feet of water

per year.

I The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service entered a cooperative

agreement in January 2005 with the Colorado River 

Water Conservation District and the States of Colorado 

and Wyoming to implement the Management Plan for 

Endangered Fishes in the Yampa River Basin. The plan will 

help ensure that current and future water needs are met for

people and endangered fish in the Yampa River Basin in 

northwest Colorado. 

I The Recovery Program will fund 5,000 acre-feet of a 

12,000 acre-foot enlargement of Elkhead Reservoir in 

northwest Colorado to make water available to augment 

late-summer flows in the Yampa River. The Colorado 

River Water Conservation District will fund the 

remaining 7,000 acre-feet, which will help meet future 

human demands in the Yampa River Basin. Construction

is slated to begin in 2005 with completion in 2007. 

I A five-year lease for water from Steamboat Lake was 

completed with Colorado State Parks to support 

late-summer target flows in the lower Yampa River.

I The Grand Valley Project canal system in western 

Colorado was retrofitted with internal canal flow control 

structures and automation, which reduced irrigation 

diversions by 16% or 45,000 acre-feet in 2002, 12% or 

33,000 acre-feet in 2003, and 10% or 29,000 acre-feet in 

2004 while meeting all irrigation demands. These 

improvements play a major role in managing water 

resources to meet human and endangered fish needs 

(see page 5). 

I The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is near completion of the

Grand Valley Water Management Project. With 

completion of the Highline Lake pump station in 2005 

and full automation of the seven canal checks, additional

water will be saved each year.

I Local water irrigation companies, State and Federal 

agencies formed a work group to implement flow 

recommendations completed in 2004 for the Duchesne 

River in northeast Utah. A biological opinion is slated for

completion in 2005.

I A final environmental impact statement (EIS) and 

biological opinion on the operation of Utah’s Flaming 

Gorge Dam on the Green River to meet flow and 

temperature recommendations for the endangered fishes 

are slated for completion in spring 2005.

San Juan River Basin Recovery 

Implementation Program

I A final environmental impact statement (EIS) and 

biological opinion on operation of New Mexico’s Navajo 

Dam and Reservoir to implement the San Juan River flow 

recommendations for endangered fish are slated for 

completion in fall 2005. The proposed preferred 

alternative in the EIS will fully meet the flow 

recommendations. The biological opinion will address the

issue of “ongoing effects” of reservoir operations. 

I The Recovery Program is evaluating the need for further 

habitat development for all life stages of the endangered 

fishes.

Representatives of cooperating agencies participated in a signing ceremony for

agreements to enlarge Elkhead Reservoir. Pictured from left: Bob Muth, Carol

DeAngelis, Stephen Mathis, Rod Kuharich, and Russell George.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

12 2004-2005 Program Highlights

Studies are underway to determine if a fish passage, like this one at the

Hogback Diversion Dam, are needed elsewhere in the San Juan River.

Debbie Felker
Habitat Development

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish 

Recovery Program

I Construction was completed of a 373-foot-long fish 

passage at the Grand Valley Project Diversion Dam on the

Colorado River near Grand Junction, Colorado. The 

passage will become fully operational once a fish passage is

completed in spring 2006 at the Price-Stubb Diversion 

Dam five miles downstream. At that time, endangered 

fish will regain access to 56 miles of critical habitat that 

has been blocked for nearly a century.

I Fish screens will be constructed in 2005 at the 

Government Highline and Redlands power canals near 

Grand Junction, Colorado, to prevent endangered fish 

from entering the canals. 

I Access to razorback sucker nursery habitats was restored at

Thunder Ranch near Jensen, Utah, and at the Grand 

Valley Audubon’s Lucy Ferril Ela Wildlife Sanctuary in 

Grand Junction, Colorado.

I A levee was lowered at the Walter Walker State Wildlife 

Area on the Colorado River near Grand Junction, 

Colorado, to enhance and maintain endangered fish 

habitat. This site has been identified as the “highest use” 

site for Colorado pikeminnow and razorback suckers in the

Upper Colorado River Subbasin.

I Design of a fish screen for the Tusher Wash diversion canal

on the Green River in eastern Utah is underway with 

construction expected to begin in 2006.

San Juan River Basin Recovery 

Implementation Program

I Flow regimes to restore and maintain native fish habitat 

are being implemented.

I In 2004, 5 razorback suckers and 4 Colorado pikeminnow

used the 400-foot fish passage at the Public Service 

Company of New Mexico (PNM) Weir. Some of the 

Colorado pikeminnow that used the passage in 2003 were 

collected more than once indicating that there was some 

“fallback” over the PNM Weir after fish were released 

upstream. All razorback suckers collected in the fish ladder 

in 2004 were first-time recaptures.

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish 

Recovery Program

I Efforts increased in 2004 to manage nonnative northern 

pike and smallmouth bass to reduce their threat to the 

endangered fishes. Study results showed a depletive effect of

some nonnative fish species in certain river reaches. Where

feasible, nonnative fish are relocated to area ponds to 

provide sportfishing opportunities. This work will continue 

in 2005 (see page 19).

I The Recovery Program adopted a policy to identify and 

implement nonnative fish management actions that are 

essential to achieve and sustain recovery of the endangered 

fishes (see page 19).

I A unique barrier net was replaced at Highline Lake State 

Park in western Colorado. Designed to control escapement 

of nonnative fish, the net ensures that sportfishing 

opportunities continue at this popular reservoir.

I The Recovery Program works with local communities to 

establish interpretive exhibits and participate in public 

events that offer opportunities to observe and learn about 

the endangered fishes. The Recovery Program also 

provides information at major water user conferences in 

Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming. 

Nonnative Species, Sportfishing, and

Public Information/Involvement

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

13 Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

Endangered fish continue to use the fish passage opened in 2003 at the Public

Service Company of New Mexico Weir.

Kim Giffin, The Nature Conservancy

Dillon Monahan (left) was excited to help U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Biologist Sam Finney place a large northern pike taken from the Yampa River

into a pond at the Yampa State Wildlife Area.
14 2004-2005 Program Highlights

I The Recovery Program holds public meetings and 

produces a wide range of educational materials, including

newsletters, fact sheets, interpretive exhibits, and a web 

site. Considerable favorable press concerning the 

Recovery Program was observed in 2004 in local and 

regional newspapers in Colorado and Utah. 

San Juan River Basin Recovery 

Implementation Program

I Efforts to control nonnative fishes have been underway 

since 1998 and are showing signs of success. Some 

species, such as channel catfish, striped bass, walleye, and

common carp are being removed by raft-mounted 

electrofishing, whereas control of other species, such as 

red shiner, is being attempted through restoration of 

natural flow regimes and river habitat.

I The Recovery Program continues to work with both the 

Navajo Nation and the State of New Mexico to transplant channel catfish from the San Juan River to area 

lakes to enhance recreational fishing opportunities. Since

1998, over 9,000 channel catfish have been stocked by 

the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and the 

Navajo Nation Department of Fish and Wildlife. 

I The fish passage at the Public Service Company of New 

Mexico Weir continues to provide educational 

opportunities to students from local schools, the Shiprock

Boys and Girls Club, and the local Headstart Program.

I The San Juan River Recovery Implementation Program 

invites full public participation through public meetings 

and maintains an updated web site. 

Endangered Fish Propagation and Stocking

Nonnative species, sportfishing (continued from previous page)

Recovery Program Web Sites

Upper Colorado River:

ColoradoRiverRecovery.fws.gov

San Juan River: southwest.fws.gov/sjrip

Ernie Teller and Anthony Neskahi (Navajo Nation Department of Fish and

Wildlife) load channel catfish into a stocking truck. Channel catfish are transported with cooperation of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and

the Navajo Nation Fish and Wildlife Department to closed impoundments for

recreational fishing.

• The Ouray National Fish Hatchery (Ouray, Utah) 

continues to raise over 27,000 razorback suckers to 

stock in the Green River. More than 12,000 (10-

12 inches long) were stocked in 2004.

• The Recovery Program’s Grand Valley Endangered 

Fish Facility (Grand Junction, Colorado) raised 

and stocked 6,258 razorback suckers in the 

Colorado River and 1,569 in the Green River in 

2004. Fish stocked were about 12 inches long. 

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish 

Recovery Program

I The Recovery Program is implementing an integrated 

stocking plan for Colorado and Utah to expedite reestablishment of razorback sucker and bonytail populations.

I The Recovery Program funds operations of four hatchery 

facilities in Colorado and Utah:

• The State of Colorado’s J.W. Mumma Native Aquatic 

Species Restoration Facility (Alamosa, Colorado) is 

raising bonytails and Colorado pikeminnow for future 

stocking. Biologists stocked over 5,134, 8-inch 

bonytails in the Colorado River and 6,673 in the 

Green River during 2004. Facility personnel stocked 

over 3,000 Colorado pikeminnow in the Colorado 

and Gunnison rivers in 2004.

• The State of Utah’s Wahweap Fish Hatchery (Big 

Water, Utah) raised over 9,700 bonytails (greater 

than 6 inches) in 2004 that were stocked in the 

Colorado and Green rivers. 

U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs-NIIP

Water Consult, Engineering and Planning Consultants

Congressional staffers toured the Grand Valley Endangered Fish Facility to learn

about endangered species recovery.
Research, Monitoring, and Data Management

Endangered Fish Propagation and Stocking (continued from previous page)

I Since 2002, over 668,000 juvenile Colorado pikeminnow

have been stocked in the San Juan River, and 

about 300,000 are scheduled to be stocked in fall 2005.

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish 

Recovery Program

I Collections of young razorback suckers and Colorado 

pikeminnow in the Green and Yampa rivers were used to 

help manage releases from Flaming Gorge Dam. Seasonal 

releases from the dam are patterned to enhance habitat 

conditions for endangered fishes.

I Cooperative efforts by State, Federal, and private agencies

resulted in obtaining current and reliable abundance 

estimates for endangered fish populations. In 2004, markrecapture population estimates were conducted for 

populations of Colorado pikeminnow in the Colorado 

River, and for humpback chub in the Yampa, Green, and 

Colorado rivers. Results are used to measure progress 

toward achieving recovery criteria for self-sustaining 

populations (see page 8).

I Data presented at an August 2004 population estimates 

workshop will be used to guide future research and 

management. Development of an overall framework for 

research on environmental variables and life-history traits

influencing Colorado pikeminnow and humpback chub 

populations will be a priority beginning in 2005.

San Juan River Basin Recovery 

Implementation Program

I Studies to evaluate the success of Colorado pikeminnow 

stocking efforts continued in 2004 to determine protocols

that will result in higher survival and retention of 

stocked fish.

I The Recovery Program is integrating monitoring data

collected during 1999 through 2003 into a final report 

slated for completion in 2005. The monitoring program 

documents the response of the physical and biological 

components to the observed flow regime. The results will 

be used to evaluate and update flow recommendations as 

well as the standardized monitoring and long-range plans. 

I During 2005, a peer review panel will continue to help the

Biology Committee integrate research findings and 

monitoring data to assess response of the endangered 

fishes and habitats to Recovery Program activities, 

including flow recommendation implementation, 

stocking, and nonnative species control.

I The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, in coordination with the

Hydrology Committee, completed development of the 

Third Generation San Juan Recovery Implementation 

Program Hydrology Model in 2004. Testing of the model is

scheduled to be completed in 2005. The model will allow

better evaluation of flows in the San Juan River to 

benefit the endangered fishes.

15 Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biologist Matt Toner collects data on a humpback

chub in Black Rocks in western Colorado for population estimate analysis.

San Juan River Basin Recovery 

Implementation Program

I The San Juan River Biology Committee finalized genetics

and augmentation plans for both the Colorado 

pikeminnow and the razorback sucker in 2003. These 

plans outline key specifics for the population 

augmentation efforts, including the size and number of 

fish that will be stocked to help achieve the self-sustaining

population numbers needed to meet the recovery goals 

(see page 8).

I To date, about 10,850 subadult and adult razorback 

suckers have been stocked in the San Juan River. Larval 

razorback suckers, which have been found in the river for

the last seven years, indicate that previously stocked fish 

are surviving and spawning at separate locations in 

the river.

U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs-NIIP

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biologist Jason Davis stocks young Colorado

pikeminnow in the San Juan River.
Expenditures

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program

Total Agency Contributions = $150,262,900 (FY 1989-2005)

Water Users

$2,183,500

FY 88 Appropriation

$973,000

Utah

$4,125,600

Wyoming

$1,398,500

Nonnative 

Fish Management

5%

Information, Education 

and Public Involvement

1%

Research and Monitoring

4%

Propagation and Genetics Management

6%

Habitat Restoration

51%

Program Management

9%

Instream Flow 

Identification and

Protection

24%

** (Includes Reclamation capital 

appropriation of $20,979,700 under 

ESA authorization prior to FY 1999. 

FY 1999-2005 appropriation under 

PL 106-392=$33,181,000)

* (Includes capital 

appropriations beginning FY 2001)

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation: capital cost of 

Ruedi Reservoir fish water releases 

(beginning in FY 03)

$2,205,000

Agency Contributions

(FY 1989-2005)

Projected Expenditures

by Category

(FY 2005 only)

16 2004-2005 Program Highlights

Power Revenues

$55,171,600*

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation 

(capital)

$54,160,700**

Colorado

$11,058,700

U.S. Fish & 

Wildlife Service

$18,986,300
Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program 17

Expenditures

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

Total Agency Contributions = $26,737,705 (FY 1992-2005)

(Not including in-kind contributions)

Capital Expenditures

(fish passage and 

rearing ponds)

6%

Recovery

Efforts

26%

Monitoring

32%

Hydrology Modeling

9%

State of New Mexico

$919,000

U.S. Bureau of Land Management

$350,000

State of Colorado

$362,000

Southern Ute Indian Tribe

$116,655 Jicarilla Apache Tribe

$19,000

Research

15%

Program Management

12%

U.S. Bureau of

Indian Affairs

$6,461,000

U.S. Bureau of

Reclamation

$7,479,939

U.S. Fish & 

Wildlife Service

$1,592,000

Power Revenues

$9,438,111

Projected Expenditures

by Category

(FY 2005 only)

Agency Contributions

(FY 1992-2005)
18 2004-2005 Program Highlights

Nearly a century ago, one of the nation’s largest irrigation projects was completed to provide water to

cultivate 50,000 acres in the Grand Valley on

Colorado’s western slope. The unusual, concrete roller dam is

15 feet high and spans 546 feet across the Colorado River in

Debeque Canyon about 8 miles east of Palisade, Colorado.

The level of the river behind the Grand Valley Project

Diversion Dam, also known as the Roller Dam, is controlled

by raising or lowering large steel cylinders, called rollers. 

Unique in design, the Roller Dam is modeled after an experimental German design. According to an article in the Grand

Valley Gazette*, the rollers were fabricated in Germany under

the direction of engineers in that country familiar with the

necessary specifications. The German vessel carrying those

vital parts to the United States met an untimely fate at the

hands of a British warship. The German ship – and the rollers

for the dam – ended up on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.

New rollers were fabricated in the United States and the dam

was completed in 1916. 

Until this year, the dam consisted of six roller gates that are

each 70 feet long by 10 feet in diameter and one sluiceway

that is 60 feet wide with a roller gate that is 15 feet high.

Each gate operates independently with a massive cog and

chain drive system to control the amount of water that passes

over the dam.

This year, the roller located next to Interstate 70 was raised

and a 12 foot wide notch was cut in the dam’s concrete crest

to facilitate construction of a 373 foot long concrete fish passage. It took nine months and 2,800 cubic yards of concrete

Fish Passage Provides Access to

River Habitat Blocked for Nearly a Century

(enough to fill 350 concrete trucks) to construct the passage

which is the largest of its type in the Colorado River Basin.

The Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery

Program funded the $4.5 million construction project. 

The fish passage is a cooperative effort of the Grand Valley

Water Users Association and the Recovery Program. The U.S.

Bureau of Reclamation designed and oversaw construction.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will operate the ladder.

The fish passage will become fully operational once a fish passage is completed at the Price-Stubb Diversion Dam which is

5 miles downstream. Construction is scheduled to begin in

winter 2005 with completion in spring 2006. At that time,

endangered fish will regain access to 56 miles of critical habitat that has been blocked for nearly a century. 

The Grand Valley Project Diversion Dam is part of the larger Grand Valley Project -- a unique water delivery system

that includes the dam which diverts irrigation water from

the Colorado River, a power plant, two pumping plants, two

canal systems totaling 91 miles, 166 miles of laterals and 113

miles of drains. Laterals deliver water from the main canals

directly to the intended recipients. Drains return unused

water back to the river.

“The vitality of the entire Grand Valley remains dependent on the

continued successful operation of the Roller Dam and of the Grand

Valley Project,” said Dick Proctor, manager, Grand Valley

Water Users’ Association. 

*Grand Valley Gazette – A Journal of Mesa County History, 

Issue 3, November, December, January -- 1975-76. The Grand Valley Project Diversion Dam was completed in 1916.

Bureau of Reclamation

The new fish passage under construction in May 2004.

Debbie Felker
Progress Made to Manage Nonnative Fish

Negative interactions with certain warmwater nonnative fish species have contributed to declines in

endangered and other native fish populations.

Scientific evidence demonstrates that northern pike, smallmouth bass and channel catfish are nonnative fish species that

pose significant threats to survival of endangered fish because

they prey upon them and compete for food and space.

For the past several years, the Upper Colorado River and San

Juan River Recovery Programs have been working cooperatively with their State and Federal partners to identify management actions to minimize the threat of nonnative fishes to

survival of the endangered fishes.

In 2004, the Upper Colorado River Recovery Program revised

its nonnative fish management program using what was

learned in 2002 and 2003. Biologists from the States of

Colorado and Utah, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and

Colorado State University conducted work in 480 miles of

sections of the Colorado, Green, and Yampa rivers in

Colorado and Utah to reduce the abundance of northern pike

and smallmouth bass. Efforts to manage channel catfish continued in Yampa Canyon, where effective removal has been

demonstrated, but were postponed in other river reaches until

methods to improve sampling efficiency are developed.

Management of northern pike in the Yampa and Green rivers

in 2004 again showed signs of success. Biologists reported a 60

to 68 percent within-year decrease in the abundance of northern pike in the targeted river sections. Looking ahead to 2005,

biologists will implement projects to determine if these reductions will endure, or if northern pike populations will rebound

as fish are replaced through natural production or movement

into the targeted river sections from upstream areas.

Efforts in 2004 to manage smallmouth bass had mixed results.

Depending on the section of river and methods being

employed, within-year reductions in numbers of smallmouth

bass ranged from 8 to 69 percent. To improve the overall catch

rates in 2005, biologists will use different sampling methods to

increase capture efficiency. These changes will include the use

of new sampling gear to collect fish more effectively in shallow-water habitats and during times of low river flows, extending the sampling period into the fall when smallmouth bass

are more vulnerable to capture, and expanding management

efforts to include smaller smallmouth bass.

The San Juan River Recovery Program has been managing

channel catfish since 1996, with more intensified removal

sampling beginning in 2001. Results indicate that those efforts

have successfully reduced the river-wide abundance of channel catfish to the lowest level ever observed, changing the size

structure of the channel catfish population to one now dominated by juvenile fish, thereby lessening the potential for

channel catfish reproduction.

“Nonnative fish management is one of our biggest challenges

and one of the most important for recovery of the endangered

fish species,” said Upper Colorado River Recovery Program

Director Bob Muth. “There are no easy or quick solutions

because of the large numbers of nonnative fish occupying the

same areas as the endangered fish. The Recovery Program

is committed to using the best scientific information to determine future management actions needed to achieve our goal

of recovery.”

Recovery Program Partners Develop

Landmark Policy

In spring 2004, Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish

Recovery Program partners adopted a policy to identify and

implement nonnative fish management actions needed to

recover the endangered fish.

“This was a landmark event because it clearly demonstrates

that these diverse organizations recognize that management

of nonnative fish is essential to achieve and sustain recovery of the endangered fishes,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service Mountain-Prairie Regional Director Ralph

Morgenweck, who also chairs the Recovery Program’s

Implementation Committee. “The policy also recognizes the

dual responsibilities of State and Federal fish and wildlife

agencies to conserve listed and other native fish species

while providing recreational sportfishing opportunities.”

Kim Giffin of the Nature Conservancy’s Carpenter Ranch, was amazed at the size

of northern pike that biologists removed from the Yampa River.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program 19
20 2004-2005 Program Highlights

Programs are Authorized in Federal Law

Enactment of Public Laws 106-392 and 107-375 Provide Construction Authorities 

and Ongoing O&M Funding for the San Juan River and Upper Colorado River Recovery Programs.

the CRSP Act of 1956 for a three-year period, WAPA and the USBR

shall request appropriations to meet base funding obligations.

Capital Funding 

The four participating States and CRSP power revenues each are 

contributing $17 million for these projects.

State Funding

The States’ ongoing financial participation in these efforts has been

funded through several unique and creative means. In Colorado,

HB 98-1006 created the Native Species Conservation Trust Fund,

through which an annual “Species Conservation Eligibility List,”

submitted by the Department of Natural Resources, is approved by a

joint resolution of the General Assembly. The New Mexico

Legislature has chosen to appropriate funds into the State’s “operating reserve,” thus making them available at any time and not tied to

a specific calendar year. Application of the funds is subject to

approval by the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission.

The Wyoming State Legislature appropriated its funding share during its 1998 and 1999 sessions. The Utah State Legislature has pursued a twofold approach by creating in 1997 a restricted Species

Protection Account within the General Fund, which receives revenue generated by the Brine Shrimp Royalty Acts’ brine shrimp tax

and by the dedication in 2000 of 1/16th of one cent of the Utah sales

tax to water development projects such as the Upper Colorado River

Program.

Power Revenues

The Secretary of Energy, acting through the WAPA, is authorized to

use up to $17 million of CRSP power revenues for capital projects.

These revenues are treated as a non-Federal contribution, but are

reimbursable costs assigned to power for repayment under section 5

of the CRSP Act. P.L. 106-392 requires that the power revenue and

State funding match on a rolling two-year basis. Power revenue funding may be provided in part from loan(s) provided to WAPA from

the Colorado Water Conservation Board’s Construction Fund, as

permitted by the programs’ Federal authorizations. 

Cost-sharing by the Four Participating States

Upper Colorado River San Juan 

Rec. Program Rec. Program

Colorado $ 9.146 M $ 8.065 M $ 1.081 M 

Utah 3.422 M 3.422 M 0.000 M

New Mexico 2.744 M 0.000 M 2.744 M

Wyoming 1.688 M 1.688 M 0.000 M

Continuing success of both Recovery Programs depends on

obtaining sufficient funding to implement recovery actions

such as those identified in the Upper Colorado River

Endangered Fish Recovery Action Plan. Public Law (P.L.) 106-392,

signed on October 30, 2000, authorizes the U.S. Bureau of

Reclamation (USBR) to provide cost sharing for capital construction

projects for the Upper Colorado River and San Juan River Recovery

Programs. Non-Federal cost-sharing funds are provided by the Upper

Basin States (Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming); and by

water users and Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP) power users. 

P.L. 107-375, signed on December 19, 2002, extends the authorization period for the Secretary of Interior to complete the capital construction projects (and to expend non-Federal funds) from 2005 to

2008 for the Upper Colorado River Program and from 2007 to 2008

for the San Juan River Program. Pursuant to this Federal authorization, the programs’ capital construction costs are not to exceed $100

million: $82 million for the Upper Colorado River Program and 

$18 million for the San Juan River Program. P.L. 106-392 recognizes

the contribution of $20 million that has been incurred as a portion of

replacement power costs due to modified operations at the CRSP

power facilities and the capital cost of water storage in Wolford

Mountain Reservoir (Colorado) to benefit the endangered fishes.

Base Program (O&M) Funding 

P.L. 106-392 also provides up to $6 million per year (adjusted annually for inflation) of CRSP power revenues for base (non-capital)

funding for the two Recovery Programs. Through 2011, annual “base”

funding of up to $4 million may be provided for the Upper Colorado

Program and up to $2 million may be provided for the San Juan

Program. After 2011, CRSP power revenues may be used only to

operate and maintain the capital projects and for monitoring, unless

Congress authorizes additional funding. In the event there are insufficient funds in the Upper Colorado Basin Fund to meet Western

Area Power Administration (WAPA) and USBR obligations under

Established Cost-sharing of Capital Construction for 

the Upper Colorado and San Juan Recovery Programs

Upper Colorado Recovery Program.............................. $ 82 million

San Juan Recovery Program .......................................... $ 18 million

Total $ 100 million

Sources of Revenue (Cost-sharing)

Federal Non-Federal

Power Revs: $ 17 million

States: $ 17 million

Water & Power: $ 20 million

Total $ 54 million

Congress: $ 46 million

Total $ 46 million

Totals $17.000 M $13.175M $3.825M