2005-2006

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

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

Upper Colorado River Endangered 

Fish Recovery Program

and

San Juan River Basin Recovery 

Implementation Program

National Models of Effective Conservation Partnerships

Program Highlights 2005-2006

The Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery

Program and the San Juan River Basin Recovery

Implementation Program are national models of

cost-effective, public and private partnerships. These programs are working to recover endangered species while water

development continues in accordance with Federal and State

laws and interstate compacts, including fulfillment of Federal

trust responsibilities to American Indian tribes. 

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.
2 2005-2006 Program Highlights

The Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish

Recovery Program is recovering the endangered

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, these parties extended the cooperative agreement

through September 30, 2013.

Endangered Fish Recovery in the

Upper Colorado River Basin

The San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation

Program is recovering the 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 U.S. Bureau of Indian

Affairs, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, the Ute Mountain

Ute Indian Tribe, and the Jicarilla Apache Nation. The

Bureau of Land Management and the Navajo Nation joined

the program in 1992 and 1996, respectively. The Recovery

Program is working to extend the cooperative agreement

through 2013.

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program

Program Partners:

State of Colorado

State of Utah

State of Wyoming

Colorado River Energy Distributors

Association

Colorado Water Congress

National Park Service

The Nature Conservancy

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

U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Utah Water Users Association

Western Area Power Administration

Western Resource Advocates

Wyoming Water Association

U.S. Bureau of Land Management

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Water Development Interests
Endangered Fish Recovery in the Upper Colorado River Basin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Endangered Fish Recovery Programs Continue to Garner Bipartisan Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Accomplishments Toward Achieving Recovery

Recovery Goals Provide Measures of Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Cooperative Water Management Improves Habitat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 & 7

Construction Projects Key to Habitat Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 & 9

Programs Address Nonnative Fish Management Challenges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Reestablishing Fish Populations Through Propagation and Stocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Adaptive Management Approach Requires Research and Monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Public Information and Involvement Supports Recovery Efforts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Endangered Fish Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 & 15

Razorback Sucker Stocking Shows Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Programs’ Accomplishments for Water Project Consultations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Expenditures

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

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

Additional Appropriations Authority Nearing Enactment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Table of Contents

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

region of the Intermountain West.”

Dave Freudenthal

Governor, State of Wyoming

Endangered Fish Recovery Programs 

Continue to Garner Bipartisan Support

State and Federal leaders continue to recognize the ongoing success and accomplishments of the Upper Colorado

River and San Juan River Basin recovery programs.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

“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.

Amazingly, no lawsuits have been filed on ESA compliance

on any of those 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.”

Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton, January 28, 2005

Colorado Water Congress 47th Annual Convention

Denver, Colorado

“Through my work, the most important lesson I have

learned is that longstanding solutions to natural resource

problems are not found in the exercise of governmental

power alone. Rather, long-term solutions must always have

a foundation built on collaboration with all interested constituents...I believe in the old adage that says ‘real power

can only be realized when it is shared and allowed to grow.’

By sharing power with our citizens, the future success of our

nation’s fish and wildlife resources is without limit.”

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dale Hall, September 22, 2005

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Confirmation Hearing

Washington, D.C.

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 2.9 million acre-feet of water constituting 1,000 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

4 2005-2006 Program Highlights
Accomplishments Toward Achieving Recovery

Recovery Goals Provide Measures of Success

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) approved

recovery goals for the endangered humpback chub,

bonytail, Colorado pikeminnow, and razorback 

sucker on August 1, 2002. The recovery goals provide objective,

measurable criteria for downlisting to “threatened” and delisting (removal from Endangered Species Act [ESA] protection).

The recovery goals also state that the Service and its partners

will review and revise the goals at least once every five years, or

as necessary, when new information warrants a change in the

recovery criteria.

The recovery goals can be viewed and downloaded at:

http://mountain-prairie.fws.gov/crrip/rg.htm.

Recovery is based on reduction of threats and improvement of

a species status during the time it is listed under the ESA. The

2002 recovery goals identify the number and age of fish that

comprise a specified number of self-sustaining wild populations (see “Fish Status” on pages 14-15). They also identify sitespecific management actions that reduce threats to the species

associated with the ESA’s five listing factors. Because recovery

is the reverse of listing, the five listing factors and threats associated with each factor must be resolved before reclassification

(i.e., downlisting or delisting) of a listed species can be considered.

Five ESA Listing Factors

• Present or threatened destruction, modification, or 

curtailment of habitat or range.

• Overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, 

or educational purposes.

• Disease or predation.

• Inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms.

• Other natural or manmade factors affecting continued 

existence.

Downlisting or delisting of the endangered fishes will be considered by the Service once the fish populations reach the

required demographic and genetic standards for self-sustaining, and the necessary management actions are achieved that

reduce the threats that caused them to be listed.

Management, research, and monitoring actions of the two

recovery programs are consistent with the recovery goals. The

recovery programs implement actions within five major 

program elements, and primarily address threats associated

with two ESA listing factors: “present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of habitat or range;” and

“disease or predation.” The five program elements are:

■ Habitat management - Identify and provide adequate 

instream flows.

■ Habitat development - Restore habitat to develop 

spawning and nursery sites, provide fish passage at dams, 

maintain water quality, and prevent fish from being 

trapped in diversion canals.

■ Nonnative species and sportfishing - Reduce the threat

of certain nonnative fish species while maintaining 

sportfishing opportunities. 

■ Endangered fish propagation and stocking - Produce

genetically diverse fish in hatcheries and stock them in the 

river system. 

■ 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.

Selected accomplishments of the two recovery programs

toward achieving recovery of the endangered fishes are

described on the following pages for each program element.

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

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biologist

Brian Scheer holds a razorback sucker

produced at the Grand Valley Endangered

Fish Facility in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Streamflow regulation is a primary threat to the endangered fishes because of associated modification or loss

of river and floodplain habitat. Actions the recovery

programs accomplish within this recovery element focus on

identification and provision of adequate instream flows.

Research, monitoring, and adaptive management identify,

implement, evaluate, and refine flow and temperature recommendations to meet life-history requirements and flow-habit

relationships of the endangered fishes.

The recovery programs’ partners manage water resources to

benefit the endangered fishes and their habitat in accordance

with State water law, individual water rights, and interstate

compacts. Water for the endangered fishes is managed

through a variety of means, including water leases and contracts, coordinated releases from upstream reservoirs, improvements to irrigation, and reoperation of Federal facilities.

Upper Colorado River Endangered 

Fish Recovery Program

■ Flow recommendations help guide efforts to provide and

protect instream flows to benefit the endangered fishes in

the Colorado, Gunnison, Green, Yampa, Duchesne, and

White rivers.

■ Coordinated reservoir operations in the Colorado River

allow upstream reservoir owners and operators to release

water to enhance spring peak flows and improve fish habitat.

During 1998 and 1999, a total of 65,500 acre-feet of water

was released to support spring peak flows which, on average,

added 2,000 cubic-feet-per-second to the annual peak flows.

■ From 2002 through 2005, improvements to the Grand

Valley Project canal system in western Colorado reduced

water diversions by 10 to 16 percent (29,000 to 45,000 acrefeet) while meeting irrigation demands. On average, about

33,000 acre-feet of water will be available each year to 

augment base flows in the Colorado River.

■ Water (acre-feet) is released from upstream reservoirs to

augment late-summer and fall base flows in the Colorado

River to improve endangered fish habitat (see table below).

■ A final environmental impact statement and biological

opinion on the operation of Utah’s Flaming Gorge Dam were

completed to help meet flow and temperature recommendations for the Green River. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s

record of decision was executed in February 2006.

■ The Management Plan for Endangered Fishes in the Yampa

River Basin was initiated in 2005 to help ensure that current

and future water needs are met for people and endangered

fish in the Yampa River Basin in Colorado and Wyoming.

■ Local water users and State and Federal agencies work

together to implement flow recommendations for the

Duchesne River in northeast Utah according to an updated

biological opinion.

(Continued on page 7)

6 2005-2006 Program Highlights

Cooperative Water Management

Improves Habitat

A 12,000 acre-foot enlargement of Elkhead Reservoir in northwest Colorado is

underway. When completed in 2007, 5,000 acre-feet of permanent water and up

to 2,000 acre-feet of leased water per year will be available to augment latesummer flows in the Yampa River.

Year 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Water 45,567 68,305 19,613 72,108 17,640 53,177

(acre-feet)

Improvements to the Grand Valley Project canal system reduced water 

diversions by 10 to 16 percent.
7 Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

Cooperative Water Management

Improves Habitat 

San Juan River Basin Recovery

Implementation Program

■ Flow recommendations for the San Juan River help guide

efforts to provide and protect instream flows to benefit the

endangered fishes.

■ Navajo Dam has been reoperated on a trial basis since

1999 to provide flows in accordance with flow 

recommendations.

■ A final environmental impact statement and biological

opinion were completed on the operation of New Mexico’s

Navajo Dam to help meet flow recommendations for the San

Juan River. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s record of 

decision will be executed in early 2006. 

■ Local water users, Indian tribes, and State and Federal

agencies work together to implement an agreement to share

water shortages in Navajo Reservoir and the San Juan River

Basin. Reservoir releases have been reduced to conserve as

much as water as possible during winter.

San Juan River.

Navajo Dam and Reservoir.

Navajo Reservoir.

San Juan River below Navajo Dam.

(continued from page 6)
8 2005-2006 Program Highlights

Construction Projects Key to

Habitat Development

The recovery programs improve fish habitat by providing fish passage at diversion dams for endangered and

other native fish, screening diversion canals to keep

fish from entering and becoming trapped, and acquiring and

restoring floodplain habitat to serve primarily as fish nursery

areas. The recovery programs fund construction and operation

costs of fish screens and passages. All actions to improve habitat are monitored to evaluate their effectiveness.

Upper Colorado River Endangered 

Fish Recovery Program

■ Fish passages and screens are in place at three diversion 

dams and canals in western Colorado - Redlands diversion

dam on the Gunnison River, and Grand Valley Irrigation

Company and Grand Valley Project diversion dams on the

Colorado River.

■ The Price-Stubb diversion dam is the last barrier to fish

movement on the Colorado River in critical habitat and the

last barrier identified for fish passage in the recovery goals

for the upper Colorado River system. This fourth and final

passage is scheduled for completion in 2007. At that time,

endangered fish will have uninterrupted access to an additional 110 miles of critical habitat in the Colorado and

Gunnison rivers, blocked for nearly a century.

■ To date, 71 Colorado pikeminnows, 15 razorback suckers,

1 bonytail, and 70,814 other native fish have used the

Redlands fish passage. During initial trial operation of the

Grand Valley Project fish passage in 2005, 1 razorback sucker,

3 humpback chubs, and 2,861 other native fish moved

upstream. Use of the fish passage by humpback chubs suggests

a sixth population of this species may occur in this area.

■ Construction of a fish screen in the Tusher Wash 

diversion dam canal on the Green River in eastern Utah is 

scheduled for completion in 2008. Once completed, all 

major diversion canals identified in the recovery goals for 

the upper Colorado River system will be screened.

■ Floodplains are being made accessible to all life stages of

endangered fish by breaching or removing natural or manmade levees. Since 1992, the Recovery Program has acquired

19 properties totaling 1,600 acres and restored floodplain

habitat at 16 sites, totaling 2,656 acres in Colorado and Utah.

Recovery Program Capital

Construction Projects in

Western Colorado

Fish screen under construction

at the Grand Valley Project

diversion dam and canal.

Fish screen at the Redlands Water and

Power Company diversion dam and canal.

Fish passage at Grand Valley Project 

(Continued on page 9) diversion dam.
9 Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

San Juan River Basin Recovery 

Implementation Program

■ 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.

■ The Navajo Nation operates the PNM passage. Through

2005, 15 razorback suckers, 24 Colorado pikeminnows, and

nearly 50,000 other native fish used the passage.

■ Construction of a fish screen in the Hogback diversion

dam canal is scheduled for completion in 2008.

■ Other potential barriers to fish movement include the

Arizona Public Service Company weir and the Fruitland

diversion dam. A technical evaluation completed in 2005 will

help determine if fish passages are needed at these structures.

Construction Projects Key to

Habitat Development

Recovery Program Capital Construction

Projects in the San Juan River Basin

Fish passage at Hogback diversion dam. Arizona Public Service Company weir. Fish passage at Public Service Company of 

New Mexico weir.

(continued from page 8)
10 2005-2006 Program Highlights

Predation or competition by nonnative fish species is a

serious threat to the endangered fishes and perhaps the

most challenging to manage. Biologists have identified

problematic nonnative fish species. The recovery programs

implement, evaluate, and improve management actions to

reduce their impacts to the endangered fishes. The actions

recognize the dual responsibilities of State and Federal wildlife

agencies to conserve native fish species while providing sportfishing opportunities.

The recovery programs meet the challenge of nonnative fish

management through a variety of means. Actions to prevent

nonnative fish from entering the river system include: restriction of nonnative fish stocking, screening of off-river ponds

and reservoirs, and chemical removal of nonnative fish in

small off-river ponds. In addition to these measures, the recovery programs remove the most problematic nonnative fish

from the rivers.

Upper Colorado River Endangered 

Fish Recovery Program

■ Northern pike, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish

pose the greatest threats to the endangered fishes in the

upper Colorado River system. Removal efforts significantly

increased in 2005 to remove northern pike and smallmouth

bass in 565 miles of the Colorado, Green, and Yampa rivers

in Colorado and Utah. Effective channel catfish removal

continued in Yampa Canyon. 

■ Northern pike management removal in the Yampa and

Green rivers shows signs of success. In critical habitat on the

middle Yampa River in Colorado, biologists reported a 60 to

68 percent within-year decrease in the abundance of northern pike in 2004 and 2005. Northern pike declined 28 percent from 2004 to 2005. In the Green River, northern pike

abundance has been reduced by 87 percent since 2001. 

■ Efforts to manage smallmouth bass also show signs of

success. In sections of critical habitat on the Green River in

Utah, catch rates of smallmouth bass declined 60 to 70 

percent from 2004 to 2005. 

■ A barrier net at Highline Lake in western Colorado 

prevents escapement of nonnative sportfish and allows the

lake to be managed for sportfishing.

San Juan River Basin Recovery 

Implementation Program

■ Channel catfish pose the greatest threat to endangered

fishes in the San Juan River. Intensive efforts to remove this

species have been underway since 2001 in 124 miles of river.

Today, the abundance of channel catfish has been reduced to

the lowest level ever observed. The channel catfish population appears to be dominated by juvenile fish, thereby 

reducing the potential for both channel catfish reproduction

and predation on large native fish.

■ The Recovery Program coordinates with the Navajo

Nation and the State of New Mexico to relocate channel

catfish from the river to area lakes to enhance recreational

fishing opportunities.

16

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

Average # caught per hour of electrofishing

0 2001 2002 2003 2004

Although channel catfish

pose the greatest threat to

endangered fish in the 

San Juan River, there is

evidence that their 

population numbers and

sizes have declined.

Aaron Rice, of the Colorado Division of Wildlife, holds a northern 

pike removed from the Yampa River.

Declines in Adult Channel Catfish Catch Rates 

in the San Juan River.

Programs Address Nonnative Fish

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

The recovery programs produce genetically diverse

bonytail, razorback sucker, and Colorado

pikeminnow in hatcheries and then stock them in

rivers. Both recovery programs finalized stocking plans in

2003 to expedite reestablishment or enhancement of selfsustaining wild populations.

Fish production numbers and sizes and schedules of the stocking plans are tied to the population criteria of the recovery

goals for each endangered fish species (see “Fish Status” on

pages 14-15). Stocked fish are surviving and reproducing (see

story on page 16). 

Upper Colorado River Endangered 

Fish Recovery Program

■ Since 1996, about 100,700 subadult razorback suckers,

265,000 subadult bonytails, and 8,000 subadult Colorado

pikeminnows have been stocked in the upper Colorado 

River system.

■ The Recovery Program funds operations of four hatchery

facilities in Colorado and Utah:

• The Recovery Program’s Grand Valley Endangered 

Fish Facility (Grand Junction, Colorado) produces razorback suckers for stocking in the Colorado, Gunnison, and 

Green rivers.

• The Ouray National Fish Hatchery (Ouray, Utah) 

produces razorback suckers for stocking in the 

Green River.

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

Water, Utah) produces bonytails for stocking in the 

Colorado and Green rivers.

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

Species Restoration Facility (Alamosa, Colorado) 

produces bonytails for stocking in the Colorado and 

Green rivers, and Colorado pikeminnows for stocking in 

the Colorado and Gunnison rivers. 

San Juan River Basin Recovery 

Implementation Program

■ Dexter National Fish Hatchery and Technology Center

(Dexter, New Mexico) produces the Colorado pikeminnow

and razorback sucker larvae required to meet the stocking

plan for the San Juan River.

• Since 2002, about 975,000 juvenile Colorado 

pikeminnows have been stocked.

• Since 1994, 12,650 subadult or adult razorback 

suckers have been stocked.

1. High mortality in hatchery ponds due to cormorant predation. Ponds were covered with netting to prevent future predation. 2. Survival in leased grow-out ponds

was extremely variable. Changes in hatchery operations in 2005 increased production. 3. These fish were stocked in the San Juan River. 4. Predation and other 

problems with grow-out ponds. Pursuing other sources to provide fish to meet the stocking target.

Hatchery Production of Subadult Fish Under the Recovery Programs’ Stocking Plans.

Reestablishing Fish Populations

Through Propagation and Stocking

Annual Production Fish Stocked

Hatchery Species Target 2004 2005 Total

Ouray Razorback sucker 14,895 14,508 4,8781 19,386

Grand Valley Razorback sucker 14,895 7,8272 15,876 23,703

Wahweap Bonytail 10,660 9,700 10,574 20,274

Mumma Bonytail 5,330 13,400 5,147 18,547

Mumma Colorado pikeminnow 2,250 4,578 1,4933 6,071

Dexter Razorback sucker 11,400 2,988 1,996 4,9844

Dexter Colorado pikeminnow 303,000 281,219 306,800 588,019

Dexter National Fish Hatchery and Technology Center.
12 2005-2006 Program Highlights

Adaptive Management Approach

Requires Research and Monitoring

The recovery programs conduct research and monitoring to generate critically important information on

reproduction, growth, and survival of the endangered

fishes in the wild. The recovery programs use this information

to adjust management actions. Estimates of the abundance

and age of endangered fish populations are used to monitor

progress toward achieving the recovery goals.

Upper Colorado River Endangered 

Fish Recovery Program

■ Research studies conducted in the Green River in 2005

provided important information about transport of razorback

sucker larvae out of the river and into floodplain wetlands

that serve as nursery habitat. Data will identify modifications

needed at floodplain sites that provide nursery habitat.

■ In 2005, the U.S. Geological Survey initiated monitoring

of sediment movement in the Gunnison and Green rivers to

evaluate the level of spring peak flows needed to create and

maintain endangered fish habitat. These data will be used to

help refine flow recommendations.

■ Population estimates have been obtained for all five

humpback chub populations and the two Colorado

pikeminnow populations. These estimates are used to track

progress toward achieving the recovery criteria for self-sustaining populations. These estimates and sampling methods

were reviewed by researchers from State and Federal agencies

and universities at two workshops sponsored by the Recovery

Program. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with

the Recovery Program to evaluate the estimates’ reliability. 

San Juan River Basin Recovery 

Implementation Program

■ Based on multi-year research and monitoring, the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service concluded in 2005 that razorback

sucker and Colorado pikeminnow populations in the San

Juan River are more secure today than they were during the

1980s and 1990s, and that the threat of extinction has been

reduced. Captures of razorback sucker larvae are increasing,

and the collection of two juvenile razorback suckers in the

lower San Juan River provides the first evidence of successful

recruitment (see story on page 16).

■ The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, in coordination with

the Hydrology Committee, completed development of the

Third Generation San Juan River Recovery Implementation

Program Hydrology Model in 2004. Testing of the model is

underway and scheduled to be completed in 2006. The

model allows better evaluation of flows in the San Juan

River to benefit the endangered fishes.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation released additional water from Flaming Gorge

Dam for 2 days before and after the peak flow. Ouray National Fish Hatchery produced 1.3 million razorback sucker larvae to mark and stock in the river. Utah

Division of Wildlife Resources biologists performed the field work, and Colorado

State University Larval Fish Laboratory researchers analyzed fish samples.

Researchers are recapturing stocked razorback suckers in the San Juan River.
13 Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

Public Information and Involvement 

Supports Recovery Efforts

The recovery programs conduct public information

and involvement to increase awareness of, and support for, the recovery of the endangered fish species.

In 2005, the recovery programs integrated certain outreach

efforts to ensure consistent messages about the endangered

fish recovery efforts. Cost savings through sharing of production expenses will result from joint exhibits at State and

regional water user conferences and co-production of publications including newsletters and brochures. 

Upper Colorado River Endangered 

Fish Recovery Program

■ Local communities are helping to establish interpretive

exhibits and host public events that offer opportunities to

observe and learn about the endangered fishes. 

■ In 2005, the City of Grand Junction, Colorado, helped

develop and install six interpretive signs and a customshaped Colorado pikeminnow bench along a riverfront trail. 

■ Colorado River State Park in Fruita, Colorado, 

established an aquarium with endangered fish at its visitor

center in 2005. The aquarium is similar to one at a 

conference center in Montrose, Colorado.

■ Public meetings are held, and a wide range of educational

materials are produced, including newsletters, fact sheets,

and a web site. Considerable favorable press concerning the

Recovery Program was observed in 2005 in local and regional

newspapers in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming.

San Juan River Basin Recovery 

Implementation Program

■ 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.

■ The Recovery Program invites full public participation

through public meetings and maintains an updated website. 

Recovery Program Web Sites

Upper Colorado River:

ColoradoRiverRecovery.fws.gov

San Juan River: southwest.fws.gov/sjrip

Aquarium with endangered fish at Colorado River State Park.

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.

Congressional staffers tour recovery program facilities, such as the 

Grand Valley Endangered Fish Facility.
14 2005-2006 Program Highlights

Endangered Fish Status

The recovery programs conduct monitoring and

research to track and better understand the status of

endangered fish populations. The U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service and other stakeholders assess the reliability of

population estimates and sampling methods through adaptive

management. Recently reported downward trends in some

humpback chub and Colorado pikeminnow populations may

■ Five self-sustaining humpback chub populations inhabit

canyon-bound river reaches in the Green and Colorado river

systems of the Upper Colorado River Basin:

• A total of about 3,000 adult humpback chubs are 

estimated to occur in the Black Rocks and Westwater 

Canyon populations.

• The humpback chub population in Desolation/Gray 

canyons is estimated at about 1,000 adults.

Humpback Chub

■ Stocking efforts continue to reestablish two selfsustaining bonytail populations in the upper basin.

Stocking has been expanded to place fish into floodplain

wetlands to enhance growth and survival.

■ Stocked bonytails are being recaptured in several 

locations throughout the Green and Colorado rivers. This

information will be used to help determine the 

life-history and habitat requirements of the species.

Bonytail

Researchers sample for

humpback chubs in 

Black Rocks.

Stocked bonytails 

are being recaptured

in the Green and

Colorado rivers.

Over a 5-year monitoring period:

• Maintain the five populations

with no net loss of fish

• One core population > 2,100

adults

For 3 years beyond downlisting:

• Maintain the five populations

with no net loss of fish

• Two core populations, each >

2,100 adults

Population Criteria for Humpback Chub Recovery 

in the Upper Colorado River Basin

Downlisting Delisting

Over a 5-year monitoring period:

• Maintain two reestablished populations, one in the Green River

system and one in the Colorado

River system, each > 4,400 adults

For 3 years beyond downlisting:

• Maintain two reestablished populations, one in the Green River

system and one in the Colorado

River system, each > 4,400 adults

Population Criteria for Bonytail Recovery in the

Upper Colorado River Basin

Downlisting Delisting

be attributed to sustained drought conditions during 2000

through 2004 (water-year 2002 was the driest in more than 100

years) and increases in the abundance and distribution of certain predatory nonnative fishes. The recovery programs are taking research and management actions to reduce these impacts.

■ The bonytail 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.

Fish Illustrations © Joseph R. Tomelleri

• The Yampa Canyon and Cataract Canyon humpback 

chub populations are small, each consisting of a few 

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

Colorado Pikeminnow

■ Self-sustaining Colorado pikeminnow populations occur

in the Colorado and Green river systems of the Upper

Colorado River Basin:

• Since 1991, abundance of Colorado pikeminnow 

adults in the Colorado River has generally increased.

• Adult Colorado pikeminnow abundance in the Green 

River system during 2001 through 2003 declined from 

3,100 to 2,300. Catch rates for young Colorado 

pikeminnows in 2004 were the highest since 1996 in the 

Green River. It is anticipated that this stronger year-class 

will show up as subadult or adult fish in future estimates.

■ Genetic stocks of wild razorback suckers are secured in

hatcheries, and their offspring are being stocked to reestablish or enhance wild populations.

■ Stocked razorback suckers in the Green and San Juan

rivers have been captured at spawning sites in reproductive

condition, and captures of young fish in the Green,

Gunnison, Colorado, and San Juan rivers demonstrate that

these fish are successfully reproducing (see story on page 16).

Razorback Sucker

Over a 5-year monitoring period:

• Maintain the exchange of fish

among populations

• Maintain populations in the

Green and Colorado river systems

with no net loss of fish

• Green River system population 

> 2,600 adults

• Colorado River system 

population > 700 adults

• Establish 1,000 age 5+ subadults

in the San Juan River

For 7 years beyond downlisting:

• Maintain the exchange of fish

among populations

• Maintain populations in the

Green and Colorado river systems

with no net loss of fish

• Green River system population 

> 2,600 adults

• Colorado River system population > 1,000 adults OR Colorado

River system population > 700

adults and the San Juan River 

population > 800 adults

Population Criteria for Colorado Pikeminnow

Recovery in the Upper Colorado River Basin

Downlisting Delisting

For 5-year monitoring period:

• Maintain two reestablished 

populations, one in the Green

River system and one in EITHER

the Colorado River system or in

the San Juan River, each > 5,800

adults

For 3 years beyond downlisting:

• Maintain two reestablished 

populations, one in the Green

River system and one in EITHER

the Colorado River system or in

the San Juan River, each > 5,800

adults

Population Criteria for Razorback Sucker

Recovery in the Upper Colorado River Basin

Downlisting Delisting

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

0

Average Estimate of Abundance

91 93 95 97 99 01 03 05

Trend in Abundance of Adult Colorado Pikeminnows in

the Colorado River, 1991 through 2005.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biologist Rick Smaniotto holds a Colorado

pikeminnow that used the fish passage at the Redlands diversion dam 

on the Gunnison River.

Stocked razorback suckers are being recaptured in reproductive condition.

• Stocking efforts continue in the San Juan River to 

achieve requirements of the recovery goals.

•

•

•

• •

•

• •

•

•
16 2005-2006 Program Highlights

Razorback Sucker Stocking Shows Success

Bringing the Species Back from the Brink of Extinction

The razorback sucker was historically common to

abundant in most warmwater rivers of the Colorado

River Basin, but declined in abundance and distribution throughout the 20th century. Today, the species exists

naturally in only a few locations.

Numbers of wild razorback suckers captured in the Upper

Colorado River Basin have decreased dramatically since the

mid 1970s. Less than 100 wild adults are estimated to still

occur in the middle Green River of Utah and Colorado, and

wild populations are considered gone from the Gunnison,

Colorado, and San Juan rivers.

Hatchery-produced, stocked fish form the foundation for the

reestablishment of naturally self-sustaining populations of

razorback sucker in the upper Colorado and San Juan river 

systems. The recovery programs’ genetic management plans

maximize the genetic diversity of razorback suckers produced

in hatcheries from wild brood stocks to increase the likelihood

that stocked fish can cope with local habitats. The recovery

programs’ stocking plans identify the annual number and size

of stocked subadult razorback suckers to expedite reestablishment of populations and achieve the demographic criteria of

the recovery goals.

Stocking efforts are showing success as stocked fish are 

surviving and reproducing:

■ During 2000 through 2004, 1,283 stocked razorback

suckers were recaptured in the Green River and over 500

were recaptured in the Colorado and Gunnison rivers. Some

fish have been recaptured 4 years after stocking.

■ Razorback suckers stocked in the Green River have been

recaptured in the Colorado River, and razorback suckers

stocked in the Gunnison River have been recaptured in the

Green River. This exchange of individuals between rivers

suggests that razorback suckers may eventually form a network of populations or subpopulations. 

■ During 2000 through 2004, 893 stocked razorback suckers were recaptured in the San Juan River. Some fish have

been recaptured 9 years after stocking.

■ Razorback suckers stocked in the Green and San Juan

rivers have been recaptured or observed in reproductive 

condition at spawning sites, indicating they are behaving as

wild fish.

■ Captures of larval razorback suckers in the Green,

Gunnison, Colorado, and San Juan rivers demonstrate that

stocked fish are successfully reproducing.

■ Survival of razorback sucker larvae through the first year

is evidenced by captures of juveniles in the Green,

Gunnison, and San Juan rivers.

These results provide encouraging prospects for reestablishing

razorback sucker populations throughout the upper Colorado

and San Juan river systems. The recovery programs continue

to monitor survival and reproduction of stocked fish to evaluate and improve stocking strategies. 

Some razorback suckers have been recaptured 9 years after stocking.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Biologist Ron Brunson samples for razorback

sucker larvae in the Green River.
Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program 17

Programs’ Accomplishments for

Water Project Consultations

The Upper Colorado River and San Juan River recovery programs respond to the challenge of water management by working cooperatively with and among

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 serve as a vehicle for ESA compliance (reasonable and

prudent alternatives) for water 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 1,000 water projects depleting more than 2.9 million

acre-feet per year. This is accomplished through cooperative

efforts and, to date, no lawsuits have been filed on ESA compliance for any of these water projects.

People and endangered fish

benefit in various ways from a

cooperative approach to water

management.

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program

Summary of Section 7 Endangered Species Act Consultations

(1/1988 through 12/31/2005)

* Depletions included in historic projects.

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

Summary of Section 7 Endangered Species Act Consultations

State Acre-feet/yr

New Mexico 617,216

Colorado 217,456

Utah 9,140

Arizona 10,010

Total 853,822

Depletions

Number of

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

Colorado 461 1,293,154 169,558 1,462,712

Utah 44 433,605 63,049 496,654

Wyoming 119 83,760 39,187 122,947

Regional* 238 (regional) (regional) 0

Totals 862 1,810,519 271,794 2,082,313

Historic

Depletions

New

Depletions Totals
Expenditures

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program

Total Partner Contributions = $161,080,100 (FY 1989-2006)

Water Users

$2,190,200

FY 88 Appropriation

$973,000

Utah

$4,748,400

Wyoming

$1,712,400

Nonnative 

Fish Management

8%

Information, Education 

and Public Involvement

1%

Research and Monitoring

7%

Propagation and 

Genetics Management

12%

Habitat Restoration

50%

Program 

Management

11%

Instream Flow 

Identification and

Protection

11%

** (Includes Reclamation capital 

appropriation of $20,979,700 under 

ESA authorization prior to FY 1999. 

FY 1999-2008 appropriation under 

PL 106-392 and PL 107-375=$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)

$2,940,000

Partner Contributions

(FY 1989-2006)

Projected Expenditures

by Category

(FY 2006 only)

18 2005-2006 Program Highlights

Power Revenues

$59,628,600*

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation 

(capital)

$53,959,700**

Colorado

$15,772,200

U.S. Fish & 

Wildlife Service

$20,128,600
Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program 19

Expenditures

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

Total Partner Contributions = $34,603,245 (FY 1992-2006)

(Not including in-kind contributions)

Research

and Monitoring

34%

State of New Mexico

$961,509

U.S. Bureau of Land Management

$350,000

State of Colorado

$362,000

Southern Ute Indian Tribe

$1,065,234

Jicarilla Apache Tribe

$19,000

Habitat

Restoration

24%

Propagation and

Genetics

Management

17%

U.S. Bureau of

Indian Affairs

$6,461,000

U.S. Bureau of

Reclamation

$9,082,939

U.S. Fish & 

Wildlife Service

$1,632,000

Power Revenues

$14,669,563

Projected Expenditures

by Category

(FY 2006 only)

Partner Contributions

(FY 1992-2006)

Nonnative Fish

Management

11%

Program

Management

9%

Flow

Management and

Protection

5%
20 2005-2006 Program Highlights

Additional Appropriations Authority Nearing Enactment

Enactment of S. 1578 and H.R. 3153 into Law Will Provide Additional Capital Construction

Appropriation Authority for the Upper Colorado River Recovery Program

Base (O&M) Funding for Programs Assured

P.L. 106-392 also provided up to $6 million per year (adjusted annually for inflation) of CRSP hydropower revenues for base (non-capital) funding for the two programs. The law provides annual “base” funding of up to $4 million for the Upper

Colorado Program and up to $2 million for the San Juan Program through 2011.

After 2011, power revenues may be used only for monitoring and to operate and

maintain capital projects unless Congress authorizes additional funding. 

Non-Federal Funding Being Provided

The four participating States and power revenues each are contributing $17 million for these projects. The Secretary of Energy, acting through the Western Area

Power Administration, 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. Colorado created a Native Species Conservation Trust Fund and

through joint resolution of the General Assembly an annual “Species

Conservation Eligibility List” submitted by the Department of Natural Resources

is funded. The New Mexico Legislature appropriated funds into the State’s “operating reserve” (making monies available at any time) subject to approval by the

New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission. Wyoming’s State Legislature appropriated its funding share during its 1998 and 1999 sessions. In 1997 the Utah State

Legislature created a Species Protection Account within the General Fund which

receives Brine Shrimp Royalty Act-created revenue; in 2000 Utah dedicated

1/16th of one cent of Utah’s general sales tax to water development projects, and

directed funding to the Upper Colorado Program.

Continuing success for both recovery programs and accomplishment of

the ultimate goal of delisting the four endangered fish species requires

sufficient funding to implement identified and agreed-upon recovery

actions. Authorization for Federal spending was provided by Public Law 106-392,

which authorized $46 million of Federal appropriations and authorized the

Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to accept and

expend $17 million of contributed funds from the States of Colorado, New

Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming and $17 million from Colorado River Storage Project

(CRSP) power revenues as non-Federal cost sharing. This law also recognized 

$20 million in non-Federal cost sharing. Public Law 107-375 (2002) extended the

capital construction authorization period to 2008 for both recovery programs.

Capital Funding Shortfall Identified and Solution Proposed

Under current law, the recovery programs’ capital construction costs are not to

exceed $100 million: $82 million for the Upper Colorado Program and $18 million

for the San Juan Program. P.L. 106-392 used recovery programs’ cost estimates

developed in the late 1990s. Since then, costs have risen due to increased demand

for steel and concrete, higher energy and construction costs, and identification of

additional fish passage and screen features specific to Colorado River conditions.

With indexing for inflation, the authorized Federal construction amount is now

$64.5 million, while the current total estimated costs are $77 million. The Upper

Colorado Program participants have identified an appropriations authorization

(ceiling) shortfall of $12.5 million to complete authorized capital construction projects. No funding shortfall has been identified for the San Juan Program.

Completion of the Upper Colorado Program’s capital construction program is a

necessary step for the program to reach its ultimate goal of delisting the four endangered fish species. In early 2005, Recovery Program participants initiated an effort

with Congress to increase the construction authorization by $15 million. Congress

was also asked to recognize additional non-Federal cost sharing of $7.1 million

from the power users as a result of additional losses in energy generation at CRSP

hydroelectric projects, and a $3.9 million contribution by the Colorado River

Water Conservation District resulting from a 20-year lease of 2,000 acre-feet of

water per year to the program at below cost rates. As a means to avoid requesting

larger annual appropriation amounts in the Bureau of Reclamation’s budget,

Recovery Program participants also requested the authorization period for expending those funds be extended from 2008 to 2010.

Legislation to solve the capital projects funding shortfall was introduced in mid2005. Thirteen of the 14 members of the House from the four States co-sponsored

the House version of the bill. S. 1578 was introduced with substantial support of

the Senate delegations from Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah, and was passed by

the U.S. Senate on December 16, 2005. The engrossed bill increases the appropriations authorization for the Upper Colorado Program by $15 million and extends

the construction period for both the Upper Colorado and San Juan programs from

2008 to 2010. H.R. 3153 has passed the House Resources Committee and is awaiting passage. The following table describes cost sharing and revenue sources for the

programs under current law and after House passage and signature of this necessary

legislation into law by the President:

Current and Proposed Capital Construction Cost-sharing

for Upper Colorado and San Juan Programs

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

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

Total: $100 million

Proposed (After Enactment of H.R. 3153)

Upper Colorado Recovery Program (per S. 1578) . . .$108 million

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

Total: $126 million

Current and Proposed Sources of Revenue

Federal Non-Federal

Congress: $46 million Power Revenues: $17 million

States (CO, NM, UT, WY): $17 million

Water and Power: $20 million

Total: $54 million

Proposed (After Enactment of H.R. 3153)

Federal Non-Federal

Congress: $61 million Power Revenues: $17 million

States (CO, NM, UT, WY): $17 million

Water and Power: $31 million

Total: $65 million
Upper Colorado River Endangered 

Fish Recovery Program

Program Partners:

State of Colorado

State of Utah

State of Wyoming

Colorado River Energy Distributors 

Association

Colorado Water Congress

National Park Service

The Nature Conservancy

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

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

U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs

U.S. Bureau of Land Management

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

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

http://southwest.fws.gov/sjrip