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Show MOUNTAIN TIMES Saving the Native Fish of Southern Utah’s Virgin River By Lynn Chamberlain oo Utah’s Virgin River tumbles and falls as it relentlessly makes its way down from the lofty, Cedar Mountains on its way to the Mojave However, these fish are not unique to the Virgin River and are common throughout the Colorado drainage In order to protect the native fish and prevent more endangered species listings, several local and state agencies Desert. Although it is not a long journey, as rivers go, the Virgin travels through some of the nation’s most beautiful and unique scenery. Zion National Park is located near the headwaters and owes much of its splen- have formed a conservation agreement and launched an aggressive campaign to preserve the habitat that these fish call home. There are two major problems facing Virgin River fish: First, the river water is heavily used for agriculdor to the persistural purposes tent nature of this much of the year. stream. At times this has Below the park, many comleft portions of the river completely munities have sprung up in the VIRGIN RIVER CHUB Hy As you can image, this is big past 100 years. All of them dependent, of course, on the trouble for the fish in those areas. But irrigation companies have now water supplied by the Virgin River. agreed to leave a minimal flow of History records that several settlements water in the river channel at all times to were destroyed because they were insure fish surlocated too near vival. In conjuncthe banks of the Virgin. tion with the Most of the agreement, is a time thes shiver plan to develop flows at a placid water storage sysrate of 200 cubic tems capable of feet per minute. VIRGIN SPINEDACE taking in water However, during during times of the spring runoff or after a summer rain high water and holding it for use durstorm, the flow can increase more than a ing the dryer months of summer. hundred fold to become a very unfriendThe second problem is one that ly 22,000 cubic feet per minute. That was created by fishermen downstream much water, with at Lake Mead. In the power that the early ‘60s, comes when falling Hoover Dam was over 5,000 feet constructed on along its descent, the Colorado has taken its toll on River near Las more than one Vegas. Lake Mead would-be settler. soon formed The unprebehind the dam dictability of the river has also given and quickly became a recreation hot rise to some fish species that are found spot. only in this drainage. They have adaptSeveral warm-water fish species ed to the variable flows and, indeed, were introduced to supply fishing on thrive on the harsh environment it crethe lake. A favorite bait fish in the early ates. history of the lake was the Red Shiner. This tiny fish only reaches two inches in length at maturity, but is so prolific Species Threatened that it has caused a serious problem for The Virgin Spinedace, Woundfin native species upstream. Minnow and the Virgin River Chub all evolved in these waters and were then moved upstream The area between the barriers was then treated with Rotenone to kill the Red Shiners. Rotenone is ideal for this purpose because it is non-toxic to most other wildlife, does not harm animals that may eat the dead fish and it dissipates quickly After the treatment is completed the native fish are allowed to repopu ate the area without competition from the Red Shiner. The procedure is then repeated downstream This procedure was postponed twice because the US Fish & Wildlife Service was not comfortable with the idea have of poisoning a river inhabited by in endangered howe the Ver species. good program science was In \ll this may seem like continued waters of development the Virgin and River. LOTS OF Geranium, Salvia, © SPRINKLER PARTS, Experience, Top Soil, Rakes, Dogs More... As the Red Shiners moved up the Virgin River, they exhibited the ability Virgin to completely replace all the native fish there. In an effort to combat the Shiner, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Park City Nursery. AN 649-1363 developed a novel approach: Fish barriers were constructed in several loca- HWY 224, across from the Blue Roof Market have been listed as ernment. The Virgin Spinedace has been considered for that same listing. The river is also home to many other fish species. The Desert Succor and the Speckled Dace, for example. tions on the river. Seining between the barriers caught all the native fish that PAGE 15 And of the tha — Lynn Chamberlain is an information and education manager for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources their well-being had become questionable. The Woundfin Minnow and Chub use development can only go on as long as the survival of the native fish can be assured. @ Lupine, Aspen, Poppy, Sod, Seeds Daisy, KNOWLEDGE, Spruce, Lilac, White Fir, Maple, Canadian Red Honeysuckle, @ IDEAS, Cherry, Juniper, Sedum, Shovels, Willow, Mulch, Columbine, Delphinium, Hollyhock, ; Lawn Coneflower, arrow, Furniture, Flax, Petunia, Snow-in-Summer, Soil Pep, Wild Carpet, Crab Apple, Flower Much for ble for some small fish in a little know1 river in the Southwest. But the liveli hoods of many people depend on the FREE And end go t of trou Outcompeting the Natives River to ward found nowhere else to their liking. And endangered species by the federal goy- the pre\ ilowed ae |
