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NATIVE FISH AND FISH HABITATS IN GLEN AND GRAND CANYONS: THE ROLE OF THE PARIA RIVER

NATIVE FISH AND FISH HABITATS IN GLEN AND GRAND CANYONS: THE ROLE OF THE PARIA RIVER. Larry Stevens Grand Canyon Wildlands Council, Inc. Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff. DISCUSSION TOPICS. Missing fish, missing habitat: is a new paradigm needed?

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NATIVE FISH AND FISH HABITATS IN GLEN AND GRAND CANYONS: THE ROLE OF THE PARIA RIVER

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  1. NATIVE FISH AND FISH HABITATS IN GLEN AND GRAND CANYONS: THE ROLE OF THE PARIA RIVER Larry Stevens Grand Canyon Wildlands Council, Inc. Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff

  2. DISCUSSION TOPICS • Missing fish, missing habitat: is a new paradigm needed? • Ponding of CR tributary mouths during high flows • Geography of the lower Paria River • Historical fish presence in the Paria confluence • Relevance and design of experimental rearing ponds • Next steps

  3. ANIMAL SPECIES EXTIRPATED OR AT-RISK FROM THE GRAND CANYON REGION SINCE 1919 Kanab ambersnail Colorado pikeminnow Razorback sucker Roundtail chub Bonytail chub Humpback chub Northern leopard frog Zebra-tailed lizard Burrowing owl California condor * Sage grouse Yellow-billed cuckoo Pileated woodpecker Southwestern willow flycatcher Prairie dog Muskrat Badger River otter Jaguar Gray Wolf Black bear ??? Grizzly bear Miriam elk

  4. NATIVE FISH OF THE COLORADO RIVER, GLEN AND GRAND CANYONS

  5. TRIBUTARY MOUTH PONDING DURING MAINSTREAM FLOODS 1. Stage of mainstream serves as dam, ponding trib mouth to that elevation 2. Timing = May-July, depending on mainstream hydrograph, a period with low likelihood of tributary high flows 3. Complex flows at mouth, but slow- to stalled flow in pond 4. Productivity increases as suspended sediments drop out of ponded water 5. Likely favorable conditions for rapid growth of larval fish 6. Ponding process wholly eliminated by GC Dam and flood control

  6. Pre-dam (1922-1962) Unrestrained Hydropower Production, 1964-1990 MLFF, 1991-2011

  7. Mormon Dam GEOGRAPHY OF THE LOWER PARIA RIVER 200K cfs Old Crossing Old Paria R. Gauge Paria River 150K cfs Lonely Dell Ranch LF Launch Ramp New Paria R. Gauge 100K cfs 50K cfs Paria R. Mouth Colorado River LF Gravel Pits

  8. Bonytail Chub Colorado Pikeminnow Razorback Sucker

  9. NATIVE FISH IN LOWER PARIA RIVER • Diaries and historical literature • Interviews with historical resident: Spencer Johnson • Discussion with Wendel Minckley, Robert Miller, • Robert Smith • 3. AGFD reports • 4. Other evidence –U. Michigan and other collections Of changes known about native fish in Grand Canyon, extirpation of HBC, CPM, and RBS from the Paria R. confluence is the well documented. The Paria River mouth area supported the second largest HBC population in Grand Canyon, and substantial populations of RBS and CPM; however, all of those populations have been extirpated. Why has the role of the Paria River been ignored?

  10. PARIA RIVER FLOWS AND WQ 1. Paria River flows well studied (Graf, Topping) Winter snowmelt from Bryce Canyon area Summer monsoon floods, mid-late July – September High concentrations of fine sediments 2. Stage-related pond area survey needed 3. Water quality Some data available Flow augmented by East Sevier transbasin diversion Water temperature upstream from Lonely Dell exceeds 98oF in mid-July, with low DO (fish kills occur) but SC and pH well within native fish tolerance range Suggestion here is not to reintroduce native into the Paria River, but simply into experimental ponds at the mouth

  11. LF Road LF Launch Ramp Gravel Pits Flow

  12. NEEDS AND USES FOR PARIA MOUTH EXPERIMENAL PONDS • Ready access • Excellent research opportunities • Inexpensive • Expendable / replaceable if high flows occur • Low maintenance • Relatively easy compliance • Inconspicuous - minimal impact on visiting public • Excellent public education and outreach opportunities • May be a tool to restore native fish ranges where • HBC were formerly abundant NEED TO DETERMINE: Sequence of actions, experiments Number of ponds = replication Design specifics

  13. Ponds Paria River

  14. RESEARCH POND DESIGN ELEMENTS 20’ Paria R inflow Gates 15’ Gate Shallows Deeper Area, with structure Shallow gravels Colorado River inflow To Paria River Gates Shallows Pond Lining Footprint

  15. RESEARCH TOPICS THAT MAY BE ADDRESSED WITH SUITABLE EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN FOR HBC OR OTHER NATIVE FISH 1. Turbidity and predation 2. Competition with native and non-native species at different life stages 3. Foodbase responses 4. Thermal influences on growth 5. In-system propagation 6. Dispersal behavior of stock 7. Other research topics

  16. HOW TO MOVE FORWARD Conduct a feasibility study, including compilation of background information Develop pond and experimental design with appropriate collaborators (AGFD, USFWS, NPS) Secure funding with participating organizations Conduct compliance (NPS, FWS, AGFD, SHPO, BLM) Develop and implement outreach program Conduct pilot program on FMS Undertake an HBC rearing project Evaluate, proceed with other spp, improve as indicated

  17. OTHER FISHERIES QUESTIONS How can RBT coexist with native fish in Shinumo Creek?What is the role of competition across fish life stages?Why is the foodbase in Tapeats Creek so different

  18. 100K 50K 200K Old Paria R. Gauge Paria River 150K Lonely Dell Ranch LF Launch Ramp New Paria R. Gauge Colorado River LF Gravel Pits

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