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

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program

and

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

Balancing Species Recovery with 

Water Use and Development

Program Highlights 2009

Program Highlights is produced annually to document the recovery programs’ progress toward recovery of the endangered 

fishes. This document is not a publication of the U.S. Department of the Interior or its agencies.

artners of the Upper Colorado River Endangered

Fish Recovery Program and the San Juan River

Basin Recovery Implementation Program collaborate with public and private interests to recover endangered

Colorado River fishes while meeting human needs for

water and energy. 

The Department of the Interior recognized the recovery 

programs with a Cooperative Conservation Award in

2008, citing the programs’ excellence in conservation

through collaboration and partnerships.

P The Intermountain West is the nation’s fastest-growing

region and a critically important energy-producing area.

The recovery programs provide Endangered Species Act

compliance for fulfillment of federal trust responsibilities to

American Indian Tribes and continued operation of federal

water and power projects. Adaptive management enables

the programs to continually evaluate and revise management actions as new information becomes available. 

Program Highlights 2009 features milestones achieved

since the inception of each Recovery Program.
2 2009 Program Highlights

Table of Contents

Recovering Endangered Fishes in the Upper Colorado and San Juan River Basins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Partners’ Active Commitment, Participation, and Support for Appropriations 

Key to Recovery Programs’ Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Two Decades of Recovery Programs’ Achievements Earn Longstanding Bipartisan Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Recovery Goals Guide Management Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Providing Endangered Species Act Compliance for Water Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Implementing Innovative Solutions to Manage Water and Improve River Habitat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 & 9

Construction Projects Key to Improving Fish Habitat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 & 11

Making Progress Toward Reducing the Threat of Nonnative Fish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 & 13

Reestablishing Endangered Fish Populations through Propagation and Stocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 & 15

Research and Monitoring Track Endangered Fish Status and Support Adaptive Management . . . . . . . . . . 16 & 17

Multiple Funding Sources Support Programs’ Expenditures

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Federal Laws Authorizing Cost-Sharing Show Congressional Commitment to Species Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Colorado Pikeminnow Humpback Chub Bonytail Razorback Sucker

Illustrations© by Joseph R. Tomelleri
Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program 3

Recovering Endangered Fishes in the Upper Colorado

and San Juan River Basins

Geographic Scope

The Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery

Program is recovering humpback chub, bonytail, Colorado

pikeminnow, and razorback sucker in the Colorado River

and its tributaries in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. The

Recovery Program was initiated in 1988 with the signing of

a cooperative agreement by the Governors of Colorado,

Utah, and Wyoming; the Secretary of the Interior; and the

Administrator of Western Area Power Administration. In

2001, the cooperative agreement was extended through

September 30, 2013.

The San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation

Program is recovering Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker in the San Juan River and its tributaries in

Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. The Recovery Program

was established in 1992 with the signing of a cooperative

agreement by the Governors of Colorado and New Mexico;

the Secretary of the Interior; the Bureau of Indian Affairs,

the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, the Ute Mountain Ute

Indian Tribe, and the Jicarilla Apache Nation. In 2006, 

the cooperative agreement was extended through

September 30, 2023.
4 2009 Program Highlights

Partners’ Active Commitment, Participation, and Support

for Appropriations Key to Recovery Programs’ Success

he Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation

Programs have a broad range of partners – and an even broader range of supporters. Recovery Program partners recognize and have embraced the fact that collaboration and broad grassroots support are essential given the

Upper Colorado River Basin’s complex and significant habitat changes, continuing additional demands on water resources,

and the long-term commitments required for species’ recovery efforts. Each partner fully participates in developing and

implementing management actions leading toward delisting of the endangered Colorado River fishes.

T

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish 

Recovery Program Partners

State of Colorado

State of Utah

State of Wyoming

Bureau of Reclamation

Colorado River Energy Distributors Association

Colorado Water Congress

National Park Service

The Nature Conservancy

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Utah Water Users Association

Western Area Power Administration

Western Resource Advocates

Wyoming Water Association 

San Juan River Basin Recovery 

Implementation Program Partners

State of Colorado

State of New Mexico 

Jicarilla Apache Nation

Navajo Nation

Southern Ute Indian Tribe

Ute Mountain Ute Tribe

Bureau of Indian Affairs

Bureau of Land Management

Bureau of Reclamation

The Nature Conservancy

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Water Development Interests

Members of Congress representing Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming demonstrate strong bipartisan support

each year through joint delegation funding support letters submitted to the Appropriations Subcommittees. Testimony 

supporting appropriations has been submitted to Congress by:

State of Colorado

State of New Mexico

State of Utah

State of Wyoming

Navajo Nation

Southern Ute Indian Tribe

Ute Mountain Ute Tribe

The Nature Conservancy

Arizona Public Service

BHP Billiton

Central Utah Water Conservancy District

City of Aurora, Colorado

City of Colorado Springs, Colorado

Colorado River Water Conservation District

Colorado Water Congress

Denver Water

Dolores Water Conservancy District

Grand Valley Water Users Association

Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District

Pueblo Board of Water Works

Public Service Company of New Mexico

San Juan Water Commission

Southwestern Water Conservancy District

Tri-County Water Conservancy District

Uncompahgre Valley Water Conservancy District

Upper Gunnison Water Conservancy District

Utah Water Users Association

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

Interior Secretaries Praise Programs

“The restoration of endangered fish populations in the

Upper Basin is an ongoing success story ... [A]s a successful cooperative environmental recovery program; it could

provide a pattern for both funding and collaboration on

the Multi-Species Conservation Program (MSCP) in the

lower basin.” 

Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt, December 14, 2000

“When this program began 12 years ago, it was the first of

its kind. Never before had such a mix of State and Federal

organizations come together formally to work side-by-side

with private water and power developers and environmental organizations. I commend all of the program’s partners

for developing creative and effective ways to meet the dual

goals of endangered species recovery and water development.”

Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton, December 1, 2001

“...in the Upper Colorado River Basin, the Fish and

Wildlife Service has now consulted on nearly 1,400 water

projects, using the Recovery Program as a reasonable and

prudent alternative under the Endangered Species Act.

This allows these projects to go forward while ensuring the

conservation of the fish.”

Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne, Dec. 15, 2006

Participating States’ Governors Endorse the

Programs’ Efforts Year After Year

“Since 1988, the Endangered Fish Recovery Programs ...

have proved to be the means to resolve endangered species

conflicts, promote species recovery, and allow ongoing

development and use of Compact-apportioned water

resources throughout the West.”

Bill Owens, Governor, State of Colorado

Two Decades of Recovery Programs’ Achievements 

Earn Longstanding Bipartisan Support

"Balancing the needs of the environment with the beneficial use of our state's water continues to be a challenge ...

On the Colorado River we are working to recover endangered fish, while protecting water users and ensuring the

state can develop its entitlements under interstate compacts."

Bill Ritter, Governor, State of Colorado

“The ongoing drought in Utah, as well as the rest of the

western United States, underscores the importance of these

programs as they allow water users in Utah to both maintain existing water use and develop new supplies while protecting the environment.”

Michael O. Leavitt, Governor, State of Utah

“The Recovery Program is a mutually supported partnership ... It is important to note, 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

“During the 106th Congress, Public Law 106-392 was

enacted with strong bipartisan support ... Each of the four

participating states has appropriated non-Federal cost sharing funding. These facts demonstrate the strong commitment and effective partnerships that are present in both of

these ongoing programs.”

Bill Richardson, Governor, State of New Mexico

“These ongoing, highly successful, cooperative programs ...

reflect the proper approach to providing endangered species

conservation and recovery ... while concurrently resolving

critical conflicts between endangered species recovery and

the development and use of Compact-apportioned water

resources in ... the Intermountain West.”

Dave Freudenthal, Governor, State of Wyoming

he recovery programs demonstrate that public and private partnerships can effectively work toward recovery

of endangered species and resolve Endangered Species Act-related conflicts. State and federal leaders continue Tto recognize the recovery programs’ effectiveness and provide bipartisan support and funding.
6 2009 Program Highlights

Recovery Goals Guide Management Actions

he recovery programs rely on recovery goals as the

foundation documents to develop and implement

management actions and measure success as they

work to recover the endangered fishes. The recovery goals

provide objective, measurable criteria for downlisting to

“threatened” and delisting (removal from Endangered

Species Act [ESA] protection).

Recovery is based on reduction of threats and improvement

of a species status during the time it is listed under the

ESA. Recovery goals identify the number and age of fish

that comprise a specified number of self-sustaining wild

populations. They also identify site-specific management

actions that reduce threats to the species.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will downlist or delist

the endangered fishes once the required demographic and

genetic standards for self-sustaining populations are reached,

and the necessary management actions are achieved to

reduce the threats that caused the fish to be listed.

The Service approved the initial recovery goals on August 1,

2002, with the requirement that they be reviewed and

updated at least every five years to include any new information. This review is underway with completion slated for

2009.

Actions to Recover the Fishes

The recovery programs implement management actions

within five major program elements: 

Habitat Management – Identify and provide adequate

instream flows.

Habitat Development – Construct and operate fish

passages and screens at diversion dams, and acquire and

restore floodplain habitat.

Nonnative Species and Sportfishing – Reduce the

threat of certain nonnative fish species while maintaining

sportfishing opportunities.

T

Endangered Fish Propagation and Stocking –

Produce genetically diverse fish in hatcheries and stock

them in the river systems to reestablish populations. 

Research, Monitoring, and Data Management –

Provide data on life-history requirements of the endangered fishes and monitor populations to measure progress

toward achieving the recovery goals.

Public information and outreach actions are integrated

into each program element. The recovery programs proactively work to increase public support for endangered fish

recovery and invite full public participation and understanding of program activities.

Biologists are working to reduce the numbers of nonnative fish such

as northern pike.

Operated by the Navajo Nation, the fish passage at the Public Service

Company of New Mexico Weir provides educational opportunities for

students from local schools in New Mexico.

The recovery goals can be found at:

http://mountain-prairie.fws.gov/crrip/rg.htm.
Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program 7

Providing Endangered Species Act Compliance 

for Water Projects

he Upper Colorado River and San Juan River

Basin recovery programs respond to the challenges of water management by working with

local, state, federal, and tribal agencies to meet the needs

of people and endangered fish. The programs’ goal is to

achieve full recovery (delisting) of the endangered fishes,

not just to avoid jeopardy (offset impacts of water project

depletions) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The

recovery programs provide ESA compliance for water

T development and management activities by all parties,

including the federal government. Responsibilities to offset

water project depletion impacts do not fall on individual

projects or their proponents. 

The recovery programs provide ESA compliance for

more than 1,700 water projects depleting more than 

3 million acre-feet per year. No lawsuits have been filed

on ESA compliance for any of these water projects.

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program

Summary of Endangered Species Act Section 7 Consultations

(1/1988 through 12/31/2008)

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

Summary of Endangered Species Act Section 7 Consultations

a Amount included in individual states’ new depletions.

Depletions

Number of

State Consultations Acre-feet/yr

New Mexico 18 617,216

Colorado 94 217,456

Utah 12 9,140

Total 124 843,812

Number of

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

Colorado 1,091 1,483,770 176,725 1,660,495

Utah 191 517,670 75,509 593,179

Wyoming 155 83,498 33,067 116,566

Regional a 238 (regional) (regional) 0

Total 1,675 2,084,938 285,301 2,370,240

Historic New

Depletions Depletions Totals
8 2009 Program Highlights

Implementing Innovative Solutions to

Manage Water and Improve River Habitat

ctions accomplished by the recovery programs within this recovery element focus on identification and 

provision of instream flows necessary to achieve recovery of the endangered fishes. Research, monitoring, and

adaptive management identify, evaluate, and revise flow recommendations to meet the flow-related life-history and

habitat requirements of the endangered fishes. 

Recovery Program partners cooperatively manage water in accordance with state water law, individual water rights, and

interstate compacts to provide adequate instream flows for the endangered fishes while meeting water needs of growing

western communities. This is accomplished through water leases and contracts, coordinated water releases from upstream

reservoirs, efficiency improvements to irrigation systems, and re-operation of federal dams and reservoirs.

A

Coordinated, voluntary releases of water from upstream reservoirs

(including Denver Water’s Williams Fork Reservoir, pictured) enhance

spring peak flows in the Colorado River for the endangered fishes. In

5 years during 1997-2008, releases ranged from 7,000 (in 2008) to

40,000 (in 1999) acre-feet of water.

Releases of water from upstream reservoirs, averaging 56,000 acrefeet per year since 2000, enhance late-summer and fall base flows in

the Colorado River for the endangered fishes. The amount of water

released in 2008 (shown above) was the greatest to date, totaling

114,255 acre-feet.

Contributing to the enhanced base flows in the Colorado River is

water conserved by improvements to the Grand Valley Project Canal

System in western Colorado completed in 2002, which have reduced

water diversions by 10 to 16 percent (29,000 to 45,000 acre-feet)

while meeting irrigation demands.

A 13,000 acre-foot enlargement of Elkhead Reservoir in northwest

Colorado completed in 2006 makes up to 5,000 acre-feet of permanent water and 2,000 acre-feet of leased water available each year to

enhance base flows for endangered fish in the Yampa River. 

8/13 8/23 9/2 9/12 9/22 10/2 10/12 10/19 10/22 11/1

2200

1800

1400

1000

600

200

Flows in cubic-feet-per-second

2008 Base Flows in the 15-Mile Reach of the Colorado River

• With Water Releases

• Without Water Releases

• Range of Target Flows to Benefit Endangered Fishes
Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program 9

Local water users, American Indian Tribes, and state and federal agencies work together to implement agreements to share water shortages

in Navajo Reservoir and the San Juan River Basin among human uses

and endangered fish needs. Navajo Reservoir releases are reduced in

winter to provide more water in the spring and summer.

Improvements at the Myton Diversion Dam on the Duchesne River are

funded by a Water 2025 Challenge Grant to the Uintah Indian

Irrigation Project and matching funds from the Upper Colorado River

Program. Improvements will ensure delivery of full water rights and

help implement flow recommendations for endangered fishes.

An environmental impact statement on re-operation of Aspinall Unit

dams on the Gunnison River to assist in recovery of the endangered

fishes is being prepared, with a record of decision anticipated by 2010.

The Aspinall Unit is comprised of three reservoirs – Crystal, Blue Mesa

(pictured), Morrow Point.

The recovery programs participate in local annual water festivals that

teach students about endangered fish and water conservation.

The Bureau of Reclamation changed operations at Flaming Gorge Dam on the Green River (left) and Navajo Dam on the San Juan River (right) in

2006 to help meet flow recommendations for the endangered fishes while meeting the projects' authorized purposes.
10 2009 Program Highlights

Construction Projects Key to Improving Fish Habitat

he recovery programs work cooperatively with American Indian Tribes, water and power customers, and local

landowners to improve endangered fish habitat. Habitat restoration and maintenance includes “undoing” habitat fragmentation through construction and operation of fish passages at irrigation diversion dams; preventing fish

from entering and becoming trapped in irrigation diversion canals through construction and operation of fish screens; and

acquisition, restoration, and management of floodplain habitat to serve primarily as fish nursery areas.

T

Fish passages and screens are completed and operational at the Redlands Water and Power Company, Grand Valley Irrigation Company, Grand Valley

Project, and Price-Stubb irrigation diversions near Grand Junction in western Colorado. These fish passages provide endangered fish with unimpeded access to about 340 miles of designated critical habitat in the Colorado and Gunnison rivers.

Price-Stubb Fish Passage, 2008

Redlands Fish Screen, 2005

Redlands Fish Passage, 1996

GVIC Fish Screen, 2002 GVIC Fish Passage, 1998

Grand Valley Project Fish Screen, 2007

Grand Valley Project Fish Passage, 2004
Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program 11

About 2,700 acres of restored floodplain habitat in the Upper Colorado

River Basin are managed for all life stages of endangered fish.

Construction of a fish screen at the Green River’s Tusher Wash Diversion

Canal is slated to begin in 2010. Once completed, all major diversion

canals identified in the recovery goals for the upper Colorado River 

system will be screened.

Hogback Fish Passage, 2001 PNM Fish Passage, 2003

Construction of a weir wall to prevent fish

from entering the Hogback Irrigation Canal

will begin in 2009.

Fish passages are being considered at the

Arizona Public Service Company Weir (pictured) and the Fruitland Diversion Dam to

provide endangered fish continuous access

to 180 miles of critical habitat in the San

Juan River.

The San Juan River Program received a River

Ecosystem Restoration Initiative grant from

the New Mexico Environment Department

to restore backwater and side channel habitat along the San Juan River to benefit the

endangered fishes. 

Fish access has been restored to an additional 36 miles of critical habitat on the San Juan River with the construction of passages

at the Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) Weir and the Hogback Diversion Dam, and removal of the Cudei Diversion Dam. 

Completed

In Progress
12 2009 Program Highlights

Making Progress Toward Reducing the 

Threat of Nonnative Fish

redation or competition by nonnative fish species is a serious threat to the endangered fishes and the most challenging to manage. Currently, nonnative smallmouth bass and northern pike are the principal target species for

management in the Green and upper Colorado River systems; whereas, nonnative channel catfish and common carp

are targeted in the San Juan River.

P

Since northern pike removal efforts began in 1999, many of the larger, more predacious fish have been removed from critical habitat in

the Yampa River.

Removal efforts have reduced the abundance of adult channel catfish

in high-priority upper and lower sections of the San Juan River where

channel catfish numbers were highest.

The recovery programs’ progress to reduce abundance of nonnative fishes over the past 10 years is summarized below.

Colorado

(112 miles) a

a River miles where removal work occurred in 2008.

River Species History and Current Status

• Increases in abundance first observed in 2003; removal began in 2004.

• Abundance declined during 2006-2008; more removal passes added in 2007 to increase captures.

• Largemouth bass are an emerging problem; catch of young fish has steadily increased since 2004.

• Increases in abundance first observed in 2003; removal began in 2004.

• Adult abundance declined over 50 percent throughout much of the Green River during 2004-2006.

• Increased efforts in 2007 (continued in 2008) removed as much as 90 percent of the estimated adult 

population in certain high concentration areas.

• Since removal began in 2001, abundance has decreased by over 90 percent.

• Increases in abundance first observed in 2003; removal began in 2004.

• Results through 2007 indicated the adult population was declining; however, substantial 

reproduction occurred in 2006 and 2007.

• Average flows in 2008 in the Yampa, Green, and Colorado rivers appears to have negatively 

affected reproduction (see smallmouth bass graph on next page).

• Abundance steadily increased during the 1980s and 1990s; removal began in 1999.

• Removal through 2007 shifted the size to smaller individuals; in 2008, the overall abundance in 

critical habitat was near its lowest level (see northern pike graph on next page).

• Within intensively managed areas, channel catfish abundance has significantly declined since the 

initiation of nonnative fish removal (see channel catfish graph on next page).

• Through nonnative fish management and stocking of endangered fishes, collections of Colorado 

pikeminnow outnumbered common carp during annual fish community monitoring in 2008.

Green

(198 miles) a

Yampa

(94 miles) a

San Juan

(164 miles) a

smallmouth

bass

smallmouth

bass

northern pike

smallmouth 

bass

common

carp

channel

catfish

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

Average flow conditions in 2008 may have reduced smallmouth bass

reproduction. Shown here are the numbers of juvenile smallmouth

bass captured from 24 miles of the Green River in 2008 compared

with the low-flow year of 2007. 

Annual abundance of adult northern pike in a 70-mile reach of 

critical habitat in the Yampa River.

The chemical composition of fish otoliths (ear bones) are analyzed to

identify sources of nonnative smallmouth and largemouth bass in

rivers of western Colorado. This information will help determine the

most cost-effective and efficient management methods.

Channel catfish removed from the San Juan

River are stocked in Navajo Nation ponds to

enhance sportfishing.

A barrier net installed at Highline Lake in western Colorado prevents escapement of nonnative fish while a sportfishery is maintained.

The Little Rascals Pond in Craig, Colorado,

receives smallmouth bass removed from the

Yampa River.

Nonnative fish management actions of the recovery programs recognize the dual responsibilities of state and federal wildlife agencies to conserve native fish species while providing sportfishing opportunities. Where feasible, sportfish removed from rivers are translocated to local off-channel ponds and reservoirs accessible to local anglers.

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

0

Northern Pike Abundance

Average Adult Abundance

2000

1800

1600

1400

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

0

Numbers Captured

June 16-21

Smallmouth Bass Captures

July 1-7

July 14-19

July 19-24

July 29-31

Aug 2-6 Aug 7-16

Aug 19-24

Aug 26-30 Sept 3-8

Sept 10-18 Sept 19-26Oct 1-3

2007

2008

Intensive removal in a high-priority reach of the San Juan River

reduced channel catfish abundance.

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

Catch Rate

Channel Catfish Catch Rate
14 2009 Program Highlights

Grand Valley Endangered Fish

Facility, Grand Junction, CO

J.W. Mumma Native Aquatic

Species Restoration Facility, Dexter National Fish Hatchery & Alamosa, CO

Technology Center, Dexter, NM

Uvalde National Fish Hatchery,

Uvalde, TX

Ouray National Fish Hatchery,

Vernal, UT

Wahweap State Fish Hatchery, 

Big Water, UT

Fish Stocked in 2007 and 2008 to Meet Annual River Stocking Targets

Species River Annual River Target Fish Stocked 2007 Fish Stocked 2008

Colorado pikeminnow . . . . . . . . . . . San Juan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 479,226 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275,105

Razorback sucker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . San Juan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,400 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,933 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,444a

Colorado and Gunnison . . . . 9,930 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,098 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,949

Middle Green . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,930 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,677

Lower Green . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,930 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,539 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,161

Bonytail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Colorado . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,330 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,570 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,896

Middle Green . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,330 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,409 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,641

Lower Green . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,330 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,404 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,336

a The additional fish to meet the annual river target are being held at Uvalde National Fish Hatchery to stock in 2009.

Reestablishing Endangered Fish Populations 

through Propagation and Stocking

atchery-produced, genetically diverse stocked fish form the foundation to reestablish naturally self-sustaining populations of razorback sucker and bonytail in the upper Colorado River system and razorback sucker and Colorado pikeminnow in the San Juan River. Both recovery programs implemented new stocking plans

in 2003 to expedite reestablishment of wild populations and achieve the demographic criteria of the recovery goals (see

results on pages 16-17). The recovery programs continue to monitor survival and reproduction of stocked fish to 

evaluate and improve stocking strategies.

H

The recovery programs fund six hatchery facilities to produce the fish necessary to meet the stocking targets.
Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program 15

The Navajo Nation raised 2,393, 12-inch razorback suckers in Hidden

Pond at the San Juan River Program’s grow-out facility on the Navajo

Indian Reservation in northern New Mexico and stocked them in the

river in 2008.

A stocked razorback sucker recaptured from the Green River in 2007.

Recaptures of stocked razorback suckers reaching adulthood and 

sexual maturity continue to increase throughout the Upper Colorado

River Basin.

Hatcheries provide endangered fish for educational exhibits such as

this aquarium at the Carl Hayden Visitor Center at Glen Canyon Dam

in Page, Arizona.

Fifth-grade classrooms established aquariums with endangered fish at

a dozen schools in western Colorado. Students care for the fish during the school year and help tag and release them into the river.

Since implementation of the 2003 stocking plans:

About 137,000 subadult razorback suckers, 79,000

subadult bonytails, and 4,600 subadult Colorado

pikeminnows have been stocked in the upper Colorado

River system.

About 1.7 million juvenile Colorado pikeminnows and

45,000 subadult or adult razorback suckers have been

stocked in the San Juan River.

Bonytails raised at Colorado’s J.W. Mumma Native

Aquatic Species Restoration Facility are exposed to flowing

water so that stocked fish can better cope with local habitat

conditions in the wild and increase their ability to survive.

Colorado pikeminnows are stocked in the San Juan

River following a “soft” release strategy that consists of

holding fish in low-velocity, off-channel habitats for 1–7

days prior to gaining access to the river’s main stem. This

strategy allows the stocked fish to gradually acclimate to

local water conditions.

Results of a 2007–2008 research study on stocked

razorback sucker survival show that first-year survival significantly improves when fish larger than 12 inches are

stocked during fall–spring. Based on these results, the

recovery programs are evaluating the need to revise razorback sucker stocking plans and the capacity of hatchery

facilities to accommodate those changes.
16 2009 Program Highlights

Research and Monitoring Track Endangered Fish Status

and Support Adaptive Management

he recovery programs’ research and monitoring projects generate information on reproduction, growth, survival,

and abundance of endangered fish. This information is used to track progress toward achieving the recovery goals, Tassess the effectiveness of management actions, and adjust recovery efforts through adaptive management.

RAZORBACK SUCKER (Xyrauchen texanus)

Efforts to reestablish populations through stocking demonstrate success as stocked fish survive to sexual maturity

and reproduce. Before stocking began, less than 100 wild adults were estimated to occur in the Green River system, and

wild fish were considered gone from the upper Colorado and San Juan River systems.

Captures of razorback sucker larvae track annual reproduction in the

middle Green River. Numbers of larvae in 2007 were the highest ever

recorded.

Fish stocked in the Colorado, Green, and San Juan

rivers are recaptured in reproductive condition and often in

spawning groups. Captures of larvae in the Green,

Gunnison, Colorado, and San Juan rivers document 

reproduction.

Survival of larvae through the first year is evidenced by

captures of juveniles in the Green, Gunnison, and San Juan

rivers.

Stocked fish are moving between the Green, Colorado,

and Gunnison rivers. This exchange of individuals between

rivers suggests that razorback suckers may eventually form

a network of populations or subpopulations.

HUMPBACK CHUB (Gila cypha)

About 3,000 adults occur in the Black Rocks and

Westwater Canyon core population in the Colorado River.

About 1,000 adults occur in the Desolation/Gray

Canyon core population in the Green River.

Populations in Yampa and Cataract canyons are small,

each consisting of up to a few hundred adults. Gila species

collected from the Yampa River are being raised in two

hatcheries for possible use as humpback chub brood stocks

for future propagation and stocking efforts.

Five wild populations inhabit canyon-bound sections of the Colorado, Green, and Yampa rivers (see map below).

Downward trends in some populations have been attributed to increased abundance of nonnative fishes and habitat

changes associated with dry weather and low river flows.

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0

Numbers of Larvae

93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07

WYOMING

UTAH COLORADO

Desolation/Gray

Canyon

Cataract

Canyon

Colorado River

Yampa River

NEW MEXICO

Glen Canyon

Dam

Yampa Canyon

Westwater Canyon

San Juan River

Black Rocks

Green

River

Larval Razorback Sucker Captures
Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program 17

Two wild population centers occur in the Upper Colorado River Basin, one in the upper Colorado River system and

one in the Green River system, consisting of separate spawning stocks whose young and adults mix.

Stocking continues to reestablish the species in the San Juan River. Before stocking began, an estimated 19 wild adults

remained in the San Juan River. In 2005, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concluded that Colorado pikeminnows and

razorback suckers in the San Juan River are more secure today than during the 1980s and 1990s.

Estimated average abundance of adult Colorado pikeminnows in the

upper Colorado River system increased from 440 in 1992 to 890 in

2005.

Catch rates of stocked Colorado pikeminnows collected during nonnative fish removal in the upper San Juan River have increased since

2001.

Adults in the Green River system declined from 3,100

to 2,300 in 2001–2003 (next population estimate will be

completed in 2009). The downward trend has been attributed to increased abundance of nonnative fishes and habitat changes associated with dry weather and low river flows.

Recaptures of fish stocked in the San Juan River have

steadily increased. Captures of larvae document that stocked

fish are surviving to sexual maturity and reproducing.

BONYTAIL (Gila elegans)

COLORADO PIKEMINNOW (Ptychocheilus lucius)

Stocking continues to reestablish populations in the

Upper Colorado River Basin. Before stocking began, the

species had essentially disappeared and little was known

about its biology. A key aspect of bonytail recovery is

research and monitoring of stocked fish to determine lifehistory needs and ways to improve their survival.

Stocked fish are being recaptured in several locations

and habitats throughout the Green and upper Colorado

rivers. This usually occurs within 1 year after stocking.

Stocking efforts to reestablish bonytail populations in

the Upper Colorado River Basin have expanded into floodplain wetlands to enhance their growth and survival. Stocking bonytails in Baeser Bend Wetland, Green River, Utah.

3

2.5

2

1.5

1

0.5

0

-0.5

Catch Rate

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

1000

800

600

400

200

0

Average Adult Abundance

1992 1993 1994 1998 1999 2000 2003 2004 2005

Colorado Pikeminnow Abundance Stocked Colorado Pikeminnow Catch Rate
18 2009 Program Highlights

Multiple Funding Sources Support 

Programs’ Expenditures

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program

Total Partner Contributions = $199,034,500 (FY 1989-2009)

Water Users

$2,496,900

FY 88 Appropriation

$973,000

Utah

$5,314,700

Wyoming

$2,385,800

Nonnative 

Fish Management

11%

Information, Education 

and Public Involvement

1%

Research and Monitoring

5%

Propagation 

and Genetics 

Management

14%

Habitat Restoration

3% Program 

Management

12%

Instream Flow 

Identification and

Protection

54%

* Includes Reclamation capital 

appropriations of $20,979,700 under 

ESA authorization prior to FY 1999.

** Includes both annual and capital 

project funding.

Bureau of Reclamation: capital cost of

Ruedi Reservoir fish water releases 

(beginning in FY 03)

$5,145,000

Power Revenues

$73,764,500**

Bureau of Reclamation 

(capital)

$68,477,600*

Colorado

$16,743,100

U.S. Fish & 

Wildlife Service

$23,733,900

Projected Expenditures by Category (FY 2009 only)
Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program 19

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

Total Partner Contributions = $43,425,309 (FY 1992-2009) 

(Not including in-kind contributions)

Program

Management

9%

Nonnative Fish

Management

22%

Flow Management

and Protection

7%

Propagation and

Genetics Management

18%

State of New Mexico

$1,207,467

Bureau of Land Management

$350,000

State of Colorado

$1,081,000

Southern Ute Indian Tribe

$1,364,234

Jicarilla Apache Tribe

$19,000

Research and

Monitoring

38%

Habitat

Restoration

5%

Bureau of

Indian Affairs

$6,461,000

Bureau of

Reclamation

$9,082,939

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

$2,131,233

Power Revenues

$21,728,436

Information,

Education and Public 

Involvement

1%

Projected Expenditures by Category (FY 2009 only)
20 2009 Program Highlights

Federal Laws Authorizing Cost-Sharing Show 

Congressional Commitment to Species Recovery

lthough Congressional authorization to fund capital construction projects and operation and maintenance has been enacted in federal law, the Upper

Colorado River and San Juan River Basin recovery programs’ continued success depends on obtaining sufficient

funding to implement recovery actions. 

CAPITAL FUNDS

Public Law (P.L.) 106-392 (2000) authorizes the Bureau of

Reclamation (Reclamation) to cost-share capital construction projects for both recovery programs. Colorado River

Storage Project (CRSP) power customers, water users, and

the states of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming

provide non-federal cost-sharing funds. 

P.L. 107-375 (2002) extends the period to complete capital construction to 2008. P.L. 109-183 (2006) authorizes

an additional $15 million for capital construction for the

Upper Colorado River program and extends the capital

construction period to 2010 for both programs. 

Power Revenues

CRSP power revenues, totaling $17 million, have been

expended for capital construction projects consistent with

authorization provided in these public laws. These revenues

are treated as a non-federal contribution and are reimbursable costs assigned to power for repayment under

Section 5 of the CRSP Act. 

A States Cost-Share Capital Projects 

The states fund contributions in a variety of ways:

Colorado’s legislature created a Native Species

Conservation Trust Fund in 2000 through which an annual “Species Conservation Eligibility List” is funded by a

joint resolution of the State’s General Assembly. 

New Mexico’s legislature appropriated funds to meet

the state’s cost-share contributions. 

Utah’s legislature created a Species Protection Account

within the General Fund in 1997 that receives Brine

Shrimp Royalty Act-created revenue. In 2000, Utah dedicated 1/16th of one cent general sales tax to water development projects and directed funding to the Upper Colorado

River Program. 

Wyoming’s legislature appropriated its funding share

during its 1998 and 1999 sessions.

BASE FUNDS

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 programs. This

provides up to $4 million for the Upper Colorado River

Program and up to $2 million for the San Juan River Basin

Program (adjusted for inflation). The states, U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service, and water users also contribute substantial

base funding each year. (See pages 18 and 19 for a budget 

summary of each program). 

Capital Construction Cost-Sharing for Upper

Colorado and San Juan Programs

Upper Colo. Recovery Program . . . . . . . . . .$108 million

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

Total . . . . . . .$126 million*

*Sources of Revenue

Federal Non-Federal

Congress: $61 million Power Revenues: $17 million

States: $17 million

Water and Power: $31 million

$65 million 

Colorado $9.146 M $8.065 M $1.081 M

New Mexico 2.744 M 0.000 M 2.744 M

Utah 3.422 M 3.422 M 0.000 M

Wyoming 1.688 M 1.688 M 0.000 M

TOTAL $17.000 M $13.175 M $3.825 M

Upper Colorado 

Rec. Program

San Juan 

Rec. Program

Capital Project Cost-Sharing by the States
Upper Colorado River Endangered 

Fish Recovery Program

Program Partners:

State of Colorado

State of Utah

State of Wyoming

Bureau of Reclamation

Colorado River Energy Distributors Association

Colorado Water Congress

National Park Service

The Nature Conservancy

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Utah Water Users Association

Western Area Power Administration

Western Resource Advocates

Wyoming Water Association

Upper Colorado River Endangered

Fish Recovery Program

P.O. Box 25486, DFC

Denver, CO 80225

303-969-7322

303-969-7327 Fax

coloradoriverrecovery.fws.gov

San Juan River Basin Recovery 

Implementation Program

Program Partners:

State of Colorado

State of New Mexico

Jicarilla Apache Nation

Navajo Nation

Southern Ute Indian Tribe

Ute Mountain Ute Tribe

Bureau of Indian Affairs

Bureau of Land Management

Bureau of Reclamation

The Nature Conservancy

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Water Development Interests

San Juan River Basin Recovery

Implementation Program

2105 Osuna Rd. NE

Albuquerque, NM 87113

505-761-4745

505-346-2542 Fax

southwest.fws.gov/sjrip