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

Program Highlights 2002-2003 is an annual publication of the

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program

and the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation

Program. These programs are cooperative partnerships

involving public, private, and tribal agencies and interests

dedicated to recovering endangered fishes while water

development proceeds in compliance with Federal and

State laws. This document is not a publication of the

U.S. Department of the Interior or its agencies.

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program 

and

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

Program Highlights

2002-2003 
Farmington

1 2002-2003 Program Highlights

Geographic Scope

The Upper Colorado River

Endangered Fish Recovery Program

covers the Colorado River and its

tributaries in Colorado, Utah, and

Wyoming.

The San Juan River Basin Recovery

Implementation Program covers the

San Juan River and its tributaries in

Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico.

Upper Colorado 

River Basin

Ongoing severe drought in the Upper Colorado River

Basin in 2002 clearly demonstrated the cooperative

nature of the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish

Recovery Program.Water and power interests, and local, State and

Federal agencies worked together to meet the needs of people and

endangered fish. Measures to conserve water included:

◆ Maintaining constant coordination among water users,

the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and the U.S.

Bureau of Reclamation to identify the greatest water 

needs at any specific time and adjusting flows to meet 

those high priority needs.

◆ Operating checks at the Government Highline Canal 

which provided a benefit to irrigators.This demonstrated 

that improving the efficiency of irrigation systems is an 

effective method for water conservation.

◆ Adjusting operation of the fish ladder at the Redlands 

Diversion Dam to conserve water while still allowing fish 

passage.

◆ Working with the Service to identify lower flow targets 

for the fish that would still provide habitat and keep the 

river channel wet during extreme drought conditions.

◆ Maintaining minimum summer through winter seasonal 

releases from Flaming Gorge Dam on the Green River to 

benefit endangered fish and tailwater trout fisheries.

The drought also continues to impact water users in the San

Juan River Basin. Releases from Navajo Dam to the San Juan

River totaled 483,900 acre-feet in 2002 (60 percent of the average release since 1991). The San Juan River Recovery

Implementation Program began discussions in July 2002 on

how to address the drought situation and its possible impacts to

the endangered fish. On October 31, 2002, Navajo Dam releases were reduced from 500 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 350 cfs

to conserve water.

Water users, including San Juan Program participants, are

exploring how to share a possible water shortage in 2003. The

main focus is reducing water deliveries to all stakeholders,

including the endangered species.

Both Recovery Programs recognize that continued cooperation

must occur in 2003 as current precipitation patterns indicate

another year of extreme drought.

Responses to Severe Drought Define

Cooperative Nature of Recovery Programs
Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program 2

Responses to Severe Drought Define Cooperative Nature of Recovery Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Upper Colorado River Basin Geographic Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Requested FY 2004 Congressional Appropriations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3&4

Long-term Funding Authorization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Cooperative Agreement Signed to Extend Upper Basin Recovery Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Endangered Fish Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7&8

Program Overview

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Highlights of Recovery Program Accomplishments

Habitat Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Habitat Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Nonnative Species, Sportfishing, and Public Information and Involvement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Endangered Fish Propagation and Stocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Research, Monitoring, and Data Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Recovery Goals Provide Measures of Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Water Project Consultations Under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Program Expenditures

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Brothers Relive Childhood Memories of Once Abundant Fish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Preserving the West’s Heritage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Table of Contents 
3 2002-2003 Program Highlights

Requested FY 2004 

Congressional Appropriations

Fish and Wildlife Service Funding

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program

◆ $700,000 in Region 6’s “recovery” funds

◆ $444,000 for operation and maintenance of Ouray National Fish Hatchery

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

◆ $165,000 in Region 2’s “recovery” funds

Bureau of Reclamation Funding

◆ $6,915,000 in “Endangered Species Recovery Implementation Program” for the Upper Colorado Region.

($5,479,000 for Upper Colorado River; $851,000 for San Juan River Basin; $50,000 for Water and Energy 

Management and Development; and $535,000 for Fish and Wildlife Management and Development)

Details of these requests follow.

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

Implementation Program request the support of Congress for funding included in the President’s recommended 

Fiscal Year 2004 budget:

Fish and Wildlife Service Budget

1. Fish and Wildlife Service funds for the Upper Colorado 

River Endangered Fish Recovery Program ($700,000 

requested in “recovery” funds).

Projects to be funded are:

◆ Fish and Wildlife Service program management:

Funding covers salaries and expenses of Program Director 

and staff.

◆ Monitoring achievement of recovery goals:

This activity supports Service participation in estimating 

the abundance of fish populations, evaluating stocking,

and monitoring fish and habitat response to recovery 

actions. Monitoring is key to tracking progress toward 

meeting the downlisting and delisting criteria of the 

recovery goals.

◆ Data management: The Service compiles all fish data 

obtained through the Recovery Program in computerized 

form to facilitate management and analysis. This includes 

maintaining the overall database, summarizing data, and 

maintaining an inventory of all tagged fish.

2. Fish and Wildlife Service funds for operation of the 

Ouray National Fish Hatchery ($444,000 requested for 

fish hatchery operation and annual maintenance).

The Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery 

Program requests continued Congressional allocation of 

$444,000 in appropriated base operation and 

maintenance funds (“Fisheries Activity; Hatchery O&M 

Subactivity”) to support the current operation of the 

Service’s Ouray National Fish Hatchery in Utah for Fiscal 

Year 2004.

3. Fish and Wildlife Service funding for the San Juan 

River Basin Recovery Implementation Program 

($165,000 requested in “recovery” funds).

Projects to be funded are:

◆ Fish and Wildlife Service program management:

Funding covers salary and associated expenses for the 

Program Coordinator and Assistant. In addition, funding 

supports the Service’s expenses in implementing and 

overseeing actions of the San Juan Program.
Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program 4

◆ Canal screening: Funds are needed to design and 

construct a fish screen at the Redlands Canal on the 

Gunnison River to prevent endangered fish from being 

drawn out of the river and into the canal. Adult 

endangered fish use the habitat above the diversion.

Funds are also needed to construct a fish screen at the 

Grand Valley Project on the Colorado River to prevent fish

from being trapped in the irrigation canal and the power 

plant intakes.

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

Projects to be funded are:

◆ Fish Passage: Funds will be used to design a fish passage 

at the Arizona Public Service Weir.

◆ Floodplain restoration: Funds will be used to initiate 

floodplain restoration for razorback sucker.

Bureau of Reclamation Budget

1. Bureau of Reclamation funds for the Upper 

Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery and San Juan 

River Basin Recovery Implementation Programs.

Participants of the Upper Colorado River and San Juan 

River Basin Recovery Programs request Congressional 

support for $6,915,000 for FY 2004 in “Endangered 

Species Recovery Implementation Program” directed to the 

Bureau of Reclamation’s Upper Colorado Region.This 

amount would provide the Upper Colorado River 

Endangered Fish Recovery Program with $5,479,000;

the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

with $851,000; $50,000 for Water and Energy 

Management and Development; and $535,000 for Fish and

Wildlife Management and Development. The $5,479,000

supported by participants in the programs would be used 

for water acquisition, construction of fish passages and 

screens, reservoir enlargement, and floodplain restoration as

described below:

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program 

Projects to be funded are:

◆ Fish Passage: Funds will be used to restore fish passage at 

the Grand Valley Project and Price-Stubb diversion dams 

on the Colorado River. Fish passage will provide the 

razorback sucker and Colorado pikeminnow fish species 

with access to an additional 50 miles of historic habitat and

will support expanded populations to achieve recovery goals.

◆ Water acquisition: A pumping plant will be constructed 

at Highline Lake in western Colorado to pump water 

from the lake to the Highline Canal to meet peak 

irrigation demands. During periods of low demand,

water is spilled from the canal into the lake.This will 

reduce irrigation diversions.The water savings will result in

improved habitat conditions for endangered fish in the 

Colorado River.

◆ Yampa River Management Plan: The Recovery Program has

agreed to partially fund a proposed enlargement of Elkhead 

Reservoir in northwest Colorado to provide late-summer 

flows needed to recover the endangered fish. Funds also 

will likely be needed to design and install a fish barrier at 

Elkhead Reservoir to prevent nonnative fish from escaping 

into the Yampa River.

◆ Floodplain restoration: Funds are needed to continue 

land acquisition, levee removal, and other floodplain 

restoration activities at high-priority sites. Restoring 

these floodplains is especially important for the razorback 

sucker and will also benefit a variety of wetland-dependent 

wildlife.

Construction is slated to begin in 2004 on a fish passage for the Grand Valley

Project Diversion Dam near Grand Junction, Colorado.

A fish passage structure at the Public Service Company of New Mexico Weir

will be completed in 2003. Fiscal Year 2004 funds will be used to design a fish

passage at the Arizona Public Service Weir.

Debbie Felker U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
Congress: $ 46 million

Total $ 46 million

Established Cost-sharing of Capital Construction for 

the Upper Colorado and San Juan Recovery Programs

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

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

Total $ 100 million

Sources of Revenue (Cost-sharing)

Federal Non-Federal

Power Revs: $ 17 million

States: $ 17 million

Water & Power: $ 20 million

Total $ 54 million

5 2002-2003 Program Highlights

Long-term Funding Authorization

President Bush Signed Public Law 107-375 on December 19, 2002, Extending the San Juan

River and Upper Colorado River Recovery Programs’ Construction Authorities.

Power Revenues

The Secretary of Energy, acting through the Western Area Power

Administration (WAPA), is authorized to use up to $17 million

of CRSP power revenues for capital projects. These revenues are

treated as a non-Federal contribution, but are reimbursable costs

assigned to power for repayment under section 5 of the CRSP

Act. PL 106-392 requires that the power revenue and State funding match on a rolling 2-year basis. Power revenue funding may

come from a loan provided to WAPA from the Colorado Water

Conservation Board Construction Fund.

Base Program Funding Stabilized

PL 106-392 also provides up to $6 million per year (adjusted

annually for inflation) of CRSP hydropower revenues for base

(non-capital) funding for the two Recovery Programs.Through

2011, annual “base” funding of up to $4 million may be 

provided for the Upper Colorado Program and up to $2 million

may be provided for the San Juan Program. After 2011, power

revenues may be used only to operate and maintain the capital

projects and for monitoring, unless Congress authorizes 

additional funding.

Cost-sharing by the Four Participating States

Upper Colorado River San Juan 

Rec. Program Rec. Program

Colorado $ 9.146 M $ 8.065 M $ 1.081 M

Utah 3.422 M 3.422 M 0.000 M

New Mexico 2.744 M 0.000 M 2.744 M

Wyoming 1.688 M 1.688 M 0.000 M

Total $ 17.000 M Total $ 13.175 M Total $ 3.825 M

The success of both Recovery Programs depends on

obtaining sufficient funds to implement recovery

actions such as those identified in the Upper Colorado

River Endangered Fish Recovery Action Plan. To meet these

funding needs, Public Law 106-392 was signed on October 30,

2000, authorizing the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) to

provide cost-sharing for capital construction projects for the

Upper Colorado River and San Juan River Recovery Programs.

Non-Federal cost-sharing funds are provided by the upper basin

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

hydroelectric power and water users.

This Act was amended by Public Law 107-375, signed on

December 19, 2002. This extends the authorization period for

the Secretary of Interior to complete the capital construction

projects (and to expend non-Federal funds) from 2005 to 2008

for the Upper Colorado River Program and from 2007 to 2008

for the San Juan River Program.

Pursuant to these laws, capital construction costs are not to

exceed $100 million: $82 million for the Upper Colorado River

Recovery Program and $18 million for the San Juan River

Recovery Implementation Program.

President Bush Signs Capital Funding

Extension

President Bush signed Public Law 107-375 on December 19,

2002, extending the San Juan River and Upper Colorado River

Recovery Programs’ construction authority from 2005 to 2008.

The extension allows the programs additional time to construct

fish passages at diversion structures, install fish screens, construct reservoir modifications (Elkhead), and finalize other construction projects that are critical to the recovery of endangered

Colorado River fishes.

State Funding

The four participating States and power revenues each are contributing $17 million for these projects. P.L. 106-392 recognizes the contribution of $20 million in expenditures that have

been incurred for replacement power purchases due to modified operations at the Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP)

hydropower facilities and the capital cost associated with water

storage in Wolford Mountain Reservoir (Colorado) to benefit

the endangered fish.
Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program 6

Cooperative Agreement Signed to Extend

Upper Basin Recovery Program

I

n December 2001, Department of the Interior Secretary

Gale Norton, Colorado Governor Bill Owens, Utah

Governor Mike Leavitt, Wyoming Governor Jim Geringer,

and Western Area Power Administration Administrator Mike

Hacskaylo signed a 10-year extension of the cooperative agreement, extending the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish

Recovery Program through September 30, 2013.

“Today’s signing ceremony signifies how far we’ve come in successfully

implementing cooperative programs for conservation,” Secretary Norton

said. “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.”

Interior Secretaries Praise Programs

Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt addressed the ongoing

conduct of the Recovery Programs in his remarks at the

Colorado River Water Users Association Annual Meeting in Las

Vegas, Nevada on December 14, 2000:

“The restoration of endangered fish populations in the Upper Basin is an

ongoing success story. I mention this because as 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.” (Excerpted)

Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton similarly noted the

Recovery Programs’ efforts in her speech at the Colorado River

Water Users Association Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada on

December 16, 2002:

...“We also take very seriously the requirements of the Federal Endangered

Species Act in the course of managing the Colorado River. Yes, the Act has

caused conflict in other river basins, but we are working very hard with our

partners in the Colorado River basin to find success instead of conflict. The

good news is there are Endangered Species Act success stories that demonstrate

the value of consultation and cooperation....”

“The first example of success is the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish

Recovery Program....”

“I cite this as an excellent example of planning ahead to meet the demands

of the Endangered Species Act. All jurisdictions need to take Endangered

Species Act problems seriously and to factor them into their long-term planning. Upper Colorado River users came to grips with this more than a dozen

years ago and that planning is beginning to show success today....”

“This can be a model that the Klamath and Rio Grande and other basins can

follow....” (Excerpted)

Recovery Program Continues to Garner Bipartisan Support

National and State leaders sign an extension of the Recovery Program’s

Cooperative Agreement at Colorado’s State Capitol in December 2001. Pictured

from left: Western Area Power Administration Administrator Mike Hacskaylo,

Wyoming Governor Jim Geringer, Colorado Governor Bill Owens, and

Department of the Interior Secretary Gale Norton. Utah Governor Mike Leavitt

signed the extension at a separate time.

Yolietta Cook
7 2002-2003 Program Highlights

Endangered Fish Status 

Upper Colorado River and San Juan River Recovery Programs

◆ The State of Colorado downlisted the humpback chub 

from “State-endangered” to “State-threatened” in 1998.

◆ Current adult populations in the Green and Colorado 

rivers meet or exceed the downlisting demographic 

criteria specified in the recovery goals approved on 

August 1, 2002 (see page 15).

Bonytail

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

species. Before stocking began, bonytail had virtually 

disappeared in the Upper Colorado River Basin.

◆ More than 229,000 bonytail have been raised and stocked in 

the Colorado and Green rivers. The Utah Department of 

Wildlife Resources stocked 33,700, 5-to 6-inch bonytail and 

the Colorado Division of Wildlife stocked over 13,400 bonytail

greater than 8 inches into the middle Green River in the 

fall of 2002.

◆ Some stocked fish have been recaptured, indicating at least

short-term survival.

Humpback Chub

◆ Populations appear healthy and stable in areas of the Upper 

Colorado River Basin where they occur. The population at 

Black Rocks and Westwater Canyon, near the Colorado-Utah 

border, is estimated at about 2,900 adults.The Yampa Canyon 

and Cataract Canyon populations are small, consisting of about

500 adults. Preliminary analysis has provided an estimate of 

the population in Desolation/Gray Canyons of about 1,700 

adults.
Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program 8

Illustrations © Joseph R. Tomelleri

Razorback Sucker

◆ Because of its scarcity, this species is the highest priority for 

hatchery raising and stocking.

◆ Wild populations in the Upper Colorado River Basin continue 

to decline.

◆ Biologists estimate the Green River population has declined 

from 500 to less than 100 adults since the early 1990s.The 

remaining wild adults comprise a remnant spawning 

population. This loss is attributed to the aging population of 

the fish and indicates the importance of successful spawning 

by hatchery-raised and stocked fish to survival of this species.

◆ Razorback sucker larvae were discovered for the first time 

in the Gunnison River in 2002, confirming that hatcheryraised fish are successfully spawning.

◆ Larval razorback sucker have been found in the San Juan 

River every year since 1998, indicating the stocked fish are 

spawning successfully.

◆ Nearly 63,000 subadult razorback sucker have been raised 

and stocked in the Upper Colorado River Basin to date. In 

2002, the Recovery Program stocked over 500,000 larvae 

into the Green River and 12,900 subadults into the 

Colorado River.

◆ Some fish in the Green River have been recaptured at 

spawning sites in reproductive condition, indicating that 

they are becoming part of the wild population.

◆ In the San Juan River, almost 7,000 adult and subadult 

razorback sucker have been stocked since 1994. Stocking 

will continue in 2003.

◆ In the San Juan River, the wild Colorado pikeminnow 

population likely consists of less than 50 adults.

◆ In 2001, 148 adult Colorado pikeminnow were stocked in

the San Juan River. In addition, approximately 200,000 

fingerlings were stocked in the fall of 2002.

Approximately 300,000 additional fingerlings are 

scheduled to be stocked in the fall of 2003.

Colorado Pikeminnow

◆ Since 1991, the number of adult Colorado pikeminnow 

in the Colorado River has tripled.The current population 

estimate is 700 adults. Recent estimates in the Green River 

system place the number of adults at about 5,000.

◆ The State of Colorado downlisted the Colorado pikeminnow 

from “State-endangered” to “State-threatened” in 1998.

◆ Current adult numbers in the Colorado and Green rivers 

meet or exceed the downlisting demographic criteria in the 

published recovery goals (see page 15).
9 2002-2003 Program Highlights

Program Overview

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program

The Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery

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

pikeminnow, and razorback sucker while water development

proceeds in accordance with Federal and State laws. The

Recovery Program was initiated in 1988 when a cooperative

agreement was signed by the Governors of Colorado, Utah, and

Wyoming; the Secretary of the Interior; and the Administrator

of Western Area Power Administration.

Program Partners

◆ Colorado River Energy Distributors Association

◆ Colorado Water Congress

◆ Land and Water Fund of the Rockies

◆ National Park Service

◆ State of Colorado

◆ State of Utah

◆ State of Wyoming

◆ The Nature Conservancy

◆ U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

◆ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

◆ Utah Water Users Association

◆ Western Area Power Administration

◆ Wyoming Water Association

Program Elements

◆ Habitat management includes developing river flow 

recommendations, identifying and acquiring instream 

flows, changing operations of Federal dams, and 

operating other reservoirs in a coordinated manner to 

benefit the endangered fishes.

◆ Habitat development includes restoring floodplain/

wetland habitats, constructing fish passageways around 

dams and installing fish screens to prevent endangered 

fish from becoming trapped in diversion canals.

◆ Nonnative species and sportfishing entails managing 

detrimental nonnative fish species in habitat considered 

“critical” to endangered fish. This also involves educating 

and distributing information to anglers to reduce 

accidental capture of endangered fish.

◆ Endangered fish propagation and stocking involves 

establishing facilities to hold adult broodstock to prevent 

extinction of these rare fish and maintain their genetic 

resources; developing growout ponds; propagating

endangered fish for stocking; conducting research to 

improve survival of endangered fish; and restoring 

populations.

◆ Research, monitoring, and data management provides 

critically important information about what the 

endangered fishes need to survive, grow, and reproduce in

the wild. Efforts include compiling data on the numbers,

sizes, and locations of endangered fishes and developing 

population estimates to monitor progress toward 

achieving demographic criteria specified in the recovery 

goals. (see page 15).

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biologist Steve Severson oversees producing

an average of 300,000 to 400,000 larval and 15,000, 10-to 12-inch razorback

sucker each year at the Ouray National Fish Hatchery in northeast Utah.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Technician Rick Smaniotto was

amazed to see this huge Colorado pikeminnow pass through the Redlands Fish

Ladder on July 3, 2002. The fish weighed 16.8 pounds and measured 37 inches.

Bob Burdick, FWS, Grand Junction

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program 10

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

The San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation

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

San Juan River Basin while water development proceeds in compliance with all applicable Federal and State laws, including fulfillment of Federal trust responsibilities to several Native

American tribes. It is anticipated that actions taken under this

Recovery Program to recover the Colorado pikeminnow and

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

the future.

Program Partners

◆ Jicarilla Apache Nation

◆ Navajo Nation

◆ Southern Ute Indian Tribe

◆ Ute Mountain Ute Tribe

◆ State of Colorado

◆ State of New Mexico

◆ 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

Program Elements

◆ Protection of genetic integrity and management and 

augmentation of populations involves completing 

genetics management and augmentation plans,

establishing refugia with stock taken from the wild, and 

augmenting wild populations of endangered fish species.

◆ Protection, management, and augmentation of habitat

involves identifying important reaches of the San Juan 

River for different life stages of the endangered fish by 

mapping current conditions, determining relationships 

between flow and habitat, and determining flow needs.

In addition, augmentation of habitat includes providing 

fish passage around migration barriers.

◆ Water quality protection and enhancement involves 

monitoring existing water quality conditions, evaluating 

historic information, identifying types and sources of 

contamination, investigating changes in water chemistry,

and pursuing actions to diminish or eliminate water 

quality problems that limit recovery.

◆ Interactions between native and nonnative fish species

involves determining the distribution and abundance of 

nonnative species, identifying and characterizing habitats 

used by the nonnative fish, discontinuing stocking of 

nonnative species in areas where endangered fish occur,

and control of nonnatives through removal efforts.

◆ Monitoring and data management is necessary to 

evaluate status and trends of endangered fish species as 

well as other native and nonnative species to assure 

the Recovery Program’s overall success in achieving 

recovery goals (see page 15).

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biologist Dale Ryden holds adult channel 

catfish taken from the San Juan River. The San Juan River Recovery Program is

stepping up efforts to remove this nonnative species and recover the 

endangered fishes.

Biologists conduct research on the San Juan River to identify the types of fish

species, their numbers and sizes. Understanding the fish community will help

biologists identify actions needed to recover the endangered fish.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
2002-2003 Program Highlights

Habitat Management

Highlights of

Recovery Program Accomplishments

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program

◆ Since 1988, the Service has consulted on 707 water 

projects depleting approximately 1,719,273 acre-feet per 

year in the upper basin using the Recovery Program as a 

reasonable and prudent alternative. The Service simplified

the Section 7 consultation process, and waives depletion 

charges for water projects that deplete less than 100 acrefeet of water per year.

◆ Recovery Program partners have agreed to fund a 

proposed 5,000 acre-foot enlargement of Elkhead 

Reservoir in northwest Colorado. The expansion will 

make water available to augment late-summer flows for 

endangered fish and to sustain future growth in the 

Yampa Valley.

◆ Automated gate control equipment installed at the 

Government Highline Canal in 2002 improved the 

efficiency of canal checks and will provide about 28,000 

acre-feet of additional water for endangered fish in 

average water years.

◆ The Recovery Program has initiated development of a 

strategic plan to guide habitat research and monitoring, to

refine flow recommendations and to ensure that adequate

habitat is provided in accordance with the recovery goals 

(see page 15.)

◆ A research study continued in 2002 to develop a 

temperature model for the Gunnison River to explore 

ways to improve fish habitat.

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

◆ The Bureau of Reclamation proposes to permanently 

operate Navajo Dam and Reservoir to implement flow 

recommendations on the San Juan River. A draft 

environmental impact statement (EIS) on Navajo 

operations to implement the flow recommendations was 

released and comments have been received. The final EIS 

is scheduled for release in the fall of 2003.

◆ The Recovery Program is evaluating the need for habitat 

development for all life stages of the endangered fishes.

The Bureau of Reclamation proposes to operate Navajo Dam and Reservoir to

implement flow recommendations on the San Juan River. A final environmental impact statement is scheduled for release in the fall of 2003.

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

11

Automated gate control equipment installed at the Government Highline Canal

in 2002 improved efficiency and will provide about 28,000 acre-feet of water

for endangered fish.

Burt Ives
Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program 12

Habitat Development

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program

◆ A total of 59 Colorado pikeminnow, 6 razorback sucker 

and 48,000 other native fish have used the 350-foot-long

fish ladder at the Redlands Diversion Dam on the 

Gunnison River since it was completed in 1996.This was 

the second year razorback sucker used the ladder,

reconfirming that this species can negotiate this type of 

passageway.

◆ Work will begin in 2003 to design a fish screen at the 

Redlands Canal to prevent endangered fish from being 

swept into the canal. The project will be completed 

in 2005.

◆ The Recovery Program installed a fish screen on the 

Grand Valley Irrigation Company canal on the Colorado 

River near Palisade, Colorado. Operation of the screen was 

suspended in early June 2002 as river flows receded to 

their lowest level in recorded history to allow continued 

diversion of water by the irrigation company.

◆ Construction is slated to begin in 2003 on a fish passage 

and screen for the Grand Valley Project Diversion Dam and

in 2004 on a fish passage at the Price-Stubb Diversion 

Dam on the Colorado River in western Colorado. Upon 

completion, the passages will provide endangered fish 

with access to an additional 50 miles of historic habitat.

◆ Floodplain/wetland habitat has been improved at five 

Bureau of Land Management sites on the Green River,

three sites at Ouray National Wildlife Refuge, two sites on

the Colorado River near Grand Junction and at the 

Escalante State Wildlife Area on the Gunnison River.

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

◆ Flow regimes to restore native fish habitat are being 

implemented.

◆ In 2001, fish passage at the Hogback Diversion Dam was 

completed and the Cudei Diversion structure was 

removed. Construction of the fish passage at the 

Public Service Company of New Mexico Weir will be 

completed in 2003. Fiscal Year 2004 funds will be used 

to design a fish passage at the Arizona Public Service Weir.

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program

◆ To date, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources,

Colorado Division of Wildlife and the Service have 

removed more than 27,300 nonnative channel catfish;

23,800 nonnative sunfish and bass; and 319,500 

nonnative minnows from rivers in the Upper Colorado 

River Basin.

◆ In 2002, a total of 538 northern pike were removed from

the Yampa River in northwest Colorado. Most of the fish 

were transferred to nearby public fishing areas. Biologists

removed 42 northern pike from the Green River in Utah.

Uncharacteristically low water conditions made it 

difficult to collect and remove fish.

◆ The Northern Ute Indian Tribe dedicated a fishing pond 

for tribal elders. The Recovery Program worked with the 

Tribe to install a fish screen and trap at the pond’s outlet 

to ensure that sportfish stocked in the pond do not escape

into tributaries of the Green River where they could 

adversely impact endangered fish.

◆ In 2003, the Recovery Program will expand its efforts to 

remove channel catfish, northern pike and smallmouth 

bass from the Colorado River and its tributaries to 

reduce impacts on endangered fishes.

◆ An educational exhibit featuring an aquarium with 

razorback sucker was completed at The Nature 

Conservancy’s historic Carpenter Ranch in northwest 

Colorado. Local students help take care of the fish.

◆ The States of Colorado and Utah featured exhibits of 

endangered fish at their 2002 State fairs, helping raise 

awareness of these unique fish species.

◆ The Recovery Program holds public meetings and 

produces a wide range of educational materials, including

newsletters, fact sheets, interpretive exhibits, and a 

website.

Nonnative Species, Sportfishing, and Public Information/Involvement

(continued on next page)

Antonio “AJ” Kanip (center) and other members of the Red Spirit Musical

Group perform a song at the dedication of a newly constructed elders pond on

the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation in northeast Utah.

Debbie Felker
13 2002-2003 Program Highlights

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

◆ In the San Juan River system, nonnative fish are an 

impediment to the survival of native fish. Channel catfish 

are being removed. Resources are also focused on the 

removal of striped bass as they enter the river from Lake 

Powell during spring runoff.

◆ Nonnative fish removal efforts continue to increase.

During 1998-2002, more than 35,000 channel catfish 

and 20,000 common carp were removed from the San 

Juan River. In the 8 1/2-mile Public Service Company of 

New Mexico (PNM) Weir to the Hogback stretch of the 

river, more than 9,800 channel catfish and 7,000 

common carp were removed during that same time.

The mean size of channel catfish in the Hogback to the 

PNM Weir reach was reduced from 19 inches in 1999 

to 15 inches in 2002. This benefits the endangered fishes

by decreasing the number of reproductively active catfish 

in the system.

◆ The Program is working with the Navajo Nation and the 

State of New Mexico to transplant catfish taken from the 

San Juan River to local lakes to enhance recreational 

fishing opportunities.

◆ The San Juan River Recovery Basin Implementation 

Program invites full public participation through public 

meetings and maintains an updated website.

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program

◆ The Recovery Program funds operations of four hatchery 

facilities in Colorado and Utah:

• The Grand Valley Endangered Fish Facility (Grand 

Junction, Colorado) produced over 51,000 razorback 

sucker that were placed in growout ponds in 2002 and 

12,900, 12-inch razorback sucker were stocked into the

Colorado River.

• The J.W. Mumma Native Aquatic Species Restoration 

Facility (Alamosa, Colorado) is raising over 69,000 

bonytail and 7,300 Colorado pikeminnow for future 

stocking. Biologists stocked 13,400, 8-inch bonytail 

from this facility in Colorado waters of the Green River 

in the fall of 2002.

• The Wahweap State Fish Hatchery (Big Water, Utah) 

raised 33,700, 5-to 6-inch bonytail in 2002 that were 

stocked in the Colorado and Green rivers. The hatchery 

will produce 15,000 bonytail to stock in the fall of 2003.

• The Ouray National Fish Hatchery (Ouray, Utah) raised 

59,000 razorback sucker for the Green River system.

More than 15,000, 12-inch razorback sucker will be 

stocked in 2003.The others will remain in growout 

ponds until they reach the appropriate size to stock.

◆ The four facilities use off-site, private and public ponds 

to expand their ability to raise greater numbers of fish.

Private citizens, and city and State agencies donate or 

lease ponds to the Recovery Program.

◆ The Recovery Program adopted an integrated stocking 

plan for Colorado and Utah to expedite reestablishment of

razorback sucker and bonytail.

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

◆ In 2001, new growout ponds were built on Navajo Indian

Irrigation Project lands. Razorback sucker were stocked 

in the ponds in the spring of 2002.

◆ To date, 6,975 subadult and adult razorback sucker have 

been stocked in the San Juan River. Larval razorback 

sucker found in the river indicate that previously stocked 

razorback sucker are surviving and spawning.

◆ In 2001, 148 adult Colorado pikeminnow were stocked 

in the San Juan River. Approximately 800,000 larval 

Colorado pikeminnow were stocked prior to 2002.

The Program stocked about 200,000 Colorado 

pikeminnow fingerlings in October 2002.

◆ The San Juan River Biology Committee is finalizing 

genetics and augmentation plans for both the Colorado 

pikeminnow and the razorback sucker. These plans will 

establish the number of fish that will be stocked to help 

achieve the recovery goals.

Endangered Fish Propagation and Stocking

Nonnative species, sportfishing (continued from previous page)

Recovery Program Web Sites

Upper Colorado River: ColoradoRiverRecovery.fws.gov

San Juan River: southwest.fws.gov/sjrip

U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service Biologist Jason

Davis stocks young Colorado

pikeminnow in the San Juan

River. The fish were raised

at Dexter National Fish

Hatchery and Technology

Center in New Mexico.

BIA-NIIP
Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program

◆ Collections of young razorback sucker and Colorado 

pikeminnow in the Green and Yampa rivers were used as 

indicators to help manage releases from Flaming Gorge 

Dam. Seasonal releases from the dam are patterned to 

enhance habitat conditions for endangered fishes.

◆ Cooperative efforts by State, Federal, and private agencies 

resulted in reliable abundance estimates for endangered 

fish populations. Results are used to measure progress 

toward achieving recovery criteria for self-sustaining 

populations (see page 15).

◆ Biologists found eight razorback sucker larvae for the first

time in the Gunnison River during the spring of 2002.

This confirms that hatchery-raised fish are successfully 

spawning in the Gunnison River.

◆ Research completed in 2002 demonstrated that floodplain

wetlands play a key role in the life cycle of the razorback 

sucker. Studies showed that dried depression floodplains 

“reset” by removing all fish. When the wetlands re-flood,

razorback sucker and bonytail have a better chance to 

survive because they are growing among lower numbers 

of nonnative fishes.

◆ The Interagency Standardized Monitoring Program 

(ISMP) conducted from 1986 through 2000 measured 

trends in relative abundance of adult Colorado 

pikeminnow in the Upper Colorado River Basin.The final 

2002 ISMP summary report concluded that the 

Colorado pikeminnow population increased during the 

15-year study period. ISMP was replaced by markrecapture population estimates to determine progress 

toward achieving recovery goals.

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

◆ Research activities continue with the completion of the 

population model, water temperature analysis and 

modeling, characterization of the spawning bar being 

used by razorback sucker, and determination of the 

occurrence of hybridization of razorback sucker with 

other sucker species.

◆ The Program continues to monitor the fish community in

the San Juan River, drifting larval fish, channel 

morphology, and water temperature and quality.

◆ The Program is integrating monitoring data collected 

during 1999 through 2001 into a final report slated for 

completion in 2003. The results will be used to evaluate 

and update flow recommendations as well as the 

standardized monitoring and long-range plans.The 

monitoring program documents the response of the 

physical and biological components to the recommended 

flow regime.

◆ During 2002-2003, a peer review panel will help the 

Biology Committee integrate research findings and 

monitoring data to assess response of the endangered 

fishes and habitats to Recovery Program activities,

including flow recommendation implementation,

stocking, and nonnative species control.

◆ The Hydrology Committee, established in 2001, reviews 

and evaluates hydrology-related information.The 

Committee is responsible for reviewing the current 

hydrology model and providing recommendations for 

improvements. The Committee also evaluates any 

proposed changes to the operating rules for the San Juan 

Basin reservoirs.

◆ The Bureau of Reclamation, in coordination with the 

Hydrology Committee, is developing the Third 

Generation Hydrology Model scheduled for completion 

in 2003.

Research, Monitoring, and Data Management

14

Biologists use a net to capture fish in an outdoor laboratory set up in a 20-acre

floodplain wetland along the Green River in northwest Utah. Pictured from left

are: Brent Sheffer, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR); Mike

Caldwell, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and Ben Williams, UDWR.

Zach Modde
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved final, basinwide recovery goals for the endangered humpback chub,

bonytail, Colorado pikeminnow, and razorback sucker on

August 1, 2002. The recovery goals were developed over the past

three years with collaborative input from public, private and tribal

stakeholders and scientists from the Colorado River Basin.

The Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and

the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program will

use this important information to further focus and expand their

aggressive efforts to bring the four fish species back from the brink

of extinction. The Recovery Programs will stock hatchery-produced fish, control nonnative fishes, and improve habitat to maintain or restore populations. Consistent with the governing documents of the Upper Colorado River and San Juan River Recovery

Programs, the recovery goals adhere to State and Federal laws related to the Colorado River System (“Law of the River”), including

State water law, interstate river compacts, and Federal trust responsibilities to American Indian tribes.

“This is a landmark day (August 1st signing) for the Fish and

Wildlife Service and cooperative efforts to recover the four endangered fish species,” said Dr. Ralph Morgenweck, Director, MountainPrairie Region. “The recovery goals are based on the best available

science and provide reasonable assurances that recovery can be

achieved and the species protected into the future. It is my hope that

15 2002-2003 Program Highlights

Recovery Goals Provide Measures of Success

DEMOGRAPHIC CRITERIA FOR RECOVERY

DOWNLISTING DELISTING

Humpback Chub

Over a 5-year monitoring period:

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

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

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

Bonytail

Over a 5-year monitoring period:

• Maintain reestablished populations in Green River and upper

Colorado River subbasins, each > 4,400 adults

• Maintain established genetic refuge of adults in lower basin

• Maintain two reestablished populations in lower basin,

each > 4,400 adults

Colorado Pikeminnow

Over a 5-year monitoring period:

• Maintain the upper basin metapopulation

• Maintain populations in Green River and upper Colorado River

subbasins (“no net loss”)

• Green River subbasin population > 2,600 adults

• Upper Colorado River subbasin population > 700 adults

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

Razorback Sucker

Over a 5-year monitoring period:

• Maintain reestablished populations in Green River subbasin

and EITHER in upper Colorado River subbasin or in San Juan 

River, each > 5,800 adults

• Maintain established genetic refuge of adults in Lake Mohave

• Maintain two reestablished populations in lower basin,

each > 5,800 adults

For 3 years beyond downlisting:

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

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

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

For 3 years beyond downlisting:

• Maintain populations in Green River and upper

Colorado River subbasins, each > 4,400 adults

• Maintain genetic refuge of adults in lower basin

• Maintain two populations in lower basin,

each > 4,400 adults

For 7 years beyond downlisting:

• Maintain the upper basin metapopulation

• Maintain populations in Green River and upper

Colorado River subbasins (“no net loss”)

• Green River subbasin population > 2,600 adults

• Upper Colorado River subbasin population > 1,000

adults OR Upper Colorado River subbasin population

> 700 adults and San Juan River population > 800 adults

For 3 years beyond downlisting:

• Maintain populations in Green River subbasin and EITHER 

in upper Colorado River subbasin or in San Juan River,

each > 5,800 adults

• Maintain genetic refuge of adults in Lake Mohave

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

adults

these goals will serve as a model for recovery of other listed

species.”

The recovery goals for the endangered fishes in the Upper and

Lower Colorado River Basins identify site-specific management

actions to minimize or remove threats and specify the numbers of

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

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

removing the species from Endangered Species Act protection

(delisting) will be considered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

once the necessary management actions are achieved and the fish

populations reach the required demographic and genetic selfsustaining standards.

The recovery goals are comprehensive, biologically and legally

sound, and provide specific criteria for recovery. Research-based

adaptive management, however, may lead to future revisions of the

recovery criteria. The recovery goals and the status of the species

will be formally reviewed at least every five years. Monitoring of

populations will help guide this process, and population estimates

will serve as a starting point against which progress toward 

recovery is measured.

More information is available at:

mountain-prairie.fws.gov/ea/infopackets or by calling

303-969-7322, ext. 225.
Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program 16

Table 1

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program

Summary of Section 7 Consultations

(1/1988 through 12/31/2002)

Table 2

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

Summary of Section 7 Consultations

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

New Mexico 1,2 594,218.00 3,000.00 597,218.00

Colorado 2 239,615.00 2,199.00 241,814.00

Utah and Arizona 2 7,160.00 0.00 7,160.00

Totals 841,993.00 5,199.00 846,192.00

1 New depletions includes minor depletions (less than 100 AF). 2 Source: 2002 Red Mesa Reservoir Enlargement Project Biological Opinion.

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

San Juan River Recovery Programs

Number of

State Consultations Acre-feet/yr Acre-feet/yr Acre-feet/yr Depletion Fees4

Colorado 1 359 1,032,290.94 139,620.32 1,171,911.26 $ 440,844

Utah 38 421,867.74 66,844.03 488,711.77 $ 454,866

Wyoming 72 40,966.09 17,684.26 58,650.35 $ 168,575

Regional 2,3 238 0.00 0

Totals 707 1,495,124.77 224,148.61 1,719,273.38 $ 1,064,285

1 Includes the depletions under the 15-Mile Reach Programmatic Biological Opinion, 12/20/99, on 1 million AF/yr of historic depletions (through

September 30, 1995) and up to 120,000 AF/yr of new depletions (since September 30, 1995) in the Colorado River above the confluence with the

Gunnison River.The total includes 127 projects under the PBO plus 80 other Colorado projects.

2 Pre-9/30/97 regional consultations not assigned to individual states.

3 Depletion charges waived by USFWS for consultations on depletions of less than 100 AF/yr.

4 Pre-FY 1990: $10/AF; FY 2001: $14.75/AF; FY 2002: $15.25/AF.

Historic New

Depletions Depletions Totals

Historic New

Depletions Depletions Totals

Water Project Consultations

(Regional) (Regional)
17 2002-2003 Program Highlights

Expenditures

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program

Total Expenditures = $116,377,500 (FY 1989-2003)

Water Users

$2,125,300

FY 88 Appropriation

$973,000

Utah

$2,991,500

Wyoming

$1,048,900

Nonnative 

fish management

6%

Information, Education 

and Public Involvement

1%

Colorado

$9,558,900

Power Revenues

$38,221,800*

Fish & Wildlife 

Service

$16,905,300

Bureau of Reclamation 

(capital)

$43,817,800**

Research and Monitoring

8%

Propagation and Genetics Management

12%

Habitat Restoration

40%

Program 

Management

13%

Instream Flow 

Identification and

Protection

20%

**(Includes Reclamation capital 

appropriation of $20,979,700 under 

ESA authorization prior to FY 1999.

FY 1999-002 appropriation under 

PL 106-392=$23,223,800)

* (Includes capital 

appropriations beginning

FY 2001)

Bureau of Reclamation: capital cost of 

Ruedi Reservoir fish water releases 

(beginning in FY 03)

$735,000

Agency Contributions

(FY 1989-2003)

Percentage Expenditures

by Category

(FY 2003 only)
Expenditures

San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program

Total Expenditures = $20,782,143 (FY 1992-2003)

(Not including in-kind contributions)

Capital Expenditures

(fish passage and 

rearing ponds)

32%

Recovery

Efforts

19%

Monitoring

26%

Hydrology Modeling

7%

State of New Mexico

$528,000

Bureau of Land Management

$350,000

State of Colorado

$208,000

Southern Ute Indian Tribe

$111,655

Jicarilla Apache Tribe

$14,000

Research

7%

Program

Management

9%

Bureau of

Indian Affairs

$6,341,250

Bureau of

Reclamation

$7,012,300

Fish & 

Wildlife Service

$1,432,500

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program 18

Power Revenues

$4,784,438

Percentage Expenditures

by Category

(FY 2003 only)

Agency Contributions (FY 1992-2003)
19 2002-2003 Program Highlights

Nearly 70 years ago, brothers Dale and Max Stewart

tied a strong piece of string to a flexible branch

cut from a tamarisk tree and cast their line into

the Green River near Vernal, Utah, in search of enough large

fish to feed their family and friends during the Depression.

At the age of 8, Max caught a 25-pound Colorado

pikeminnow (called squawfish or whitefish in those days)

that was nearly as big as he was. Now at the age of 73, Max

recalls a summer fish fry along the river.

“We’d enjoy large quantities of fish accompanied by homemade bread, green beans from the garden and other good

food,” he said. “To me, the Colorado pikeminnow tasted

somewhere between salmon and halibut.”

Biologists are beginning to see the return of the Colorado

pikeminnow in areas where the Stewart brothers fished as

children, offering hope that these once popular sportfish

can again become abundant in the Upper Colorado River

Basin.

In June 2002, the Recovery Program took Max and Dale to

the White River about 60 miles southeast of their hometown. There the brothers had an opportunity to help U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service biologists capture Colorado

pikeminnow.

Brothers Relive Childhood Memories

of Once Abundant Fish

Preserving the West’s Heritage

The Upper Colorado River and San Juan River Basin

Recovery Programs are national models of costeffective, public, private, and tribal partnerships

working to recover endangered species while water development continues in accordance with Federal and State law

and interstate compacts. The Programs’ efforts will help

ensure that the Colorado pikeminnow, razorback sucker,

humpback chub, and bonytail remain an important part of

the West’s heritage.

“We knew there was an effort taking place to restore this

species,” Max said, “but we didn’t think we’d live long

enough to ever see them again. It was a thrill to see them.

We hope that someday people will have as much fun fishing

for them as Dale and I have.”

The Stewart brothers enjoy fishing for Colorado pikeminnow (then called

Colorado squawfish or whitefish) during the Depression in the 1930s.

Pictured with their catch from the Green River near Vernal, Utah, are Dale,

12 (left); Max 4 (in the wagon); and Glen, 16.

The Stewart brothers relived childhood memories of catching Colorado

pikeminnow in June 2002 when they helped U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

biologists locate these now endangered fish. Dale, 81, (left) and Max, 73,

said they hope that someday the species will no longer be endangered

and others can have as much fun catching and eating them as they did

when they were children.

Mark Fuller, Fish and Wildlife Service

Courtesy of Max and Dale Stewart