Native Fish Habitat Restoration in Selected Tributa

the Grand Canyon 

A Potential Recovery Effort for Native Fishes

Presented to the GCDAMP Technical Work Group

March 31, 2004

William Leibfried, 

Kara Hilwig,, Dr. S.W. Carothers

Matt Lauretta, Kevin Serrato, Suzanne Rhodes

SWCA Environmental Consultants,

Dr. R. Valdez

Valdez & Assoc.

and

Dr. Jeffrey Cross

Grand Canyon National Park
• The National Park Service is charged with 

preserving and protecting the natural resourcwithin Grand Canyon. 

In tributaries of the Grand Canyon, the native fish commu

been impacted by a host of non-native fish species

• Removing non-native 

fish may provide an opportunity for recovery of the native fish community in tributaries of the Colorado.

Purpose
Native Fish in Tributaries of the Colorad

Speckled dace Flannelmouth sucker

Bluehead sucker Humpback chub
Nonnative Fish Species 

Found in Tributaries of the Grand Can

Rainbow Trout

Brown Trout
Some Non-native Fish Species 

Found in Tributaries of the Grand Can

Plains Killifish

Channel catfish Fathead minno

Bullhead Common car

Red shiner
Non-native fish removal efforts i

three main components

• Construction and Operation of a Tempora

Weir in Bright Angel Creek

• Bright Angel Creek Trout Removal and 

Fish Community Monitoring

• Native Fish Habitat Restoration in Selecte

Grand Canyon Tributaries
• Constructed and installed a 

temporary weir above the lower foot bridge.

• Spring 2004 operation to 

monitor spawning native suckers.

• Checked weir and processed 

fish twice per day: morning and evening.

• Created and posted a fact 

sheet at Phantom Ranch, coordinated efforts with NPS staff, and maintained communication with the public.

Operation of the Temporary Weir in B

Angel Creek
Trout Removal in Bright Angel Cree

• Conducted baseline population estimates of 

fish community in late Summer 2003. 

• NEPA compliance is underway.• Trout removal management 

action will begin in late Fall 

2004, including mechanical removal with backpack electrofishing.
Selected tributaries 

include:

•Shinumo Creek•Tapeats Creek•Kanab Creek

Native Fish Habitat Restoration 

in Selected Grand Canyon Tributari
• In February and March 

2004, we conducted reconnaissance trips to evaluate potential tributaries for restoration.

• Two trips scheduled for 

2005.

• Determine the feasibility 

of non-native fish removal in these tributaries.

Methods for Native Fish Habitat Restor

in Selected Tributaries
For each tributary, 

we used two 4–5 person crews:

• One crew based 

from river camp (working the lower 3-4 miles ); and

• One crew based 

from a remote camp supported by backpacking in personal and sampling gear.

Methods for Native Fish Habitat Restor

in Selected Tributaries
• Electrofish reaches for 

population estimates using removal method.

• Remove all trout species 

and other non-natives.

• Determine baseline fish 

populations in tributaries.

Methods for Native Fish Habitat Restor

in Selected Tributaries
• Measure (TL, FL)

• Examine for sex 

and sexual condition

• Examine 

stomach contents

Non-native Fish Handling Protoc
Shinumo Creek

• Shinumo Creek was sampled from 

the confluence to 200m upstream of Flint Creek 

• Speckled dace were most 

abundant fish species

• Bluehead sucker were not found 

above a waterfall located 7km upstream of the Colorado River confluence

• 57 trout were collected in a 5 km 

reach of Shinumo Creek below the Flint Creek confluence 

• Dace and blueheads were less 

abundant where they co-occurred with trout
• RBT caught in 

ShinumoCreek with speckled dace in gut
Tapeats Creek

• Tapeats Creek was sampled 

from the confluence to 6 km upstream of Thunder River

• Trout were the only species 

found, many were in spawning condition

• Swift water limited 

effectiveness of backpack shocking

• Gill nets were used in deep 

pools but were not effective
Kanab Creek

• Kanab Creek was sampled from 

the confluence to Showerbath Springs

• Trout and small-bodied 

non-native fish occurred in the lower 7 km, though dace were most abundant 

• Native suckers were showing 

signs of spawning activity

• Dace and blueheads were the 

only species that occurred between Whispering Falls and Showerbath Springs 
Goals for Native Fish 

Habitat Restoration Efforts

• Determine the feasibility of reducing non-nat

fishes in Grand Canyon tributaries.

• Develop a long-t

action plan for controlling and managing non-nfishes in tributarthe Grand Canyo
Conclusions

• Shinumo and Kanab Creeks would be feasible 

candidates for native fish habitat restoration effo

– Dominated by native fish community– Conditions are conducive to removal of trout with 

backpack shockers 

– Angling may be used to remove trout from deep po– Shinumo Creek is blocked from upstream dispersal 

non-natives by a natural barrier 120 m upstream o

confluence

– Kanab sustains non-native fish populations only in 

7km reach upstream of the confluence