Recovery of upper Colorado River basin fish

Overview

A coalition of agencies and organizations came together in 1988 to recover endangered Colorado River basin fish and provide for future water development for agricultural, hydroelectric and municipal uses.

Called the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program, this effort involves federal, state and private organizations and agencies in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. The program complies with all applicable laws, including the federal Endangered Species Act, state water laws, river laws and interstate water compacts.

Recovery strategies include conducting research, improving river habitat, providing adequate stream flows, managing non-native fish, and raising endangered fish in hatcheries for stocking.

Program Partners:

  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
  • U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
  • National Park Service
  • Western Area Power Administration
  • State of Colorado
  • State of Utah
  • State of Wyoming
  • The Nature Conservancy
  • Western Resource Advocates
  • Colorado Water Congress
  • Utah Water Users Association
  • Wyoming Water Development Association
  • Colorado River Energy Distributors Association

Budget for Upper Colorado River Recovery Program

Total expenditures for Fiscal Years 1989-2000 are $81,714,600:
  • U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Capital), $34,908,900 (42.7%)
  • U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Annual (Power Revenues), $22,975,700 (28.1%)
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, $13,734,800 (16.8%)
  • Colorado, $5,747,200 (7%)
  • Water Users, $1,868,800 (2.3%)
  • Utah, $1,152,000 (1.4%)
  • FY 88 Appropriation, $973,000 (1.2%)
  • Wyoming, $354,200 (.4%)
Costs include habitat development, habitat management, instream flow acquisition, nonnative fish management, hatchery construction and operation, endangered fish stocking, research, public information and education and program management. In fiscal year 2000, Recovery Program funds are distributed as follows:
  • 36%: Instream flow identification and protection
  • 24%: Habitat restoration
  • 13%: Propagation and genetics management
  • 13%: Program management
  • 7%: Research and monitoring
  • 6%: Nonnative fish management
  • 1%: Information, education and public involvement
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    Recovery goals

    Endangered Colorado pikeminnow, razorback suckers, bonytail and humpback chub will be considered recovered when there are self-sustaining populations of each fish species and when there is natural habitat to support them. (For more information on specific recovery goals, see fact sheets on the Colorado pikeminnow, razorback sucker, bonytail and humpback chub.) More specific recovery goals are under development and will be published in draft in the Federal Register in early 2001.

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    Endangered Colorado River basin fish Historical perspective on these fish Why these fish are endangered Upper Colorado River Recovery Program Improving habitat for the fish
    Conducting research Protecting stream flows Managing non-native fish Hatcheries and stocking Back to Home Page