john_wullschleger@nps.gov
Fishery Biologist, Water Resources Division; Natural Rescource Program Center,
Fort Collins, Colorado


Back to Chapter 4: Resource Risks

Mysterious tadpole die-off in Whiskeytown
By Jennifer Gibson

Water quality–monitoring partnership on the Pedernales
By John Tiff and Brian Carey

Calling for stronger fossil resource protection: A report to Congress
By Julia Brunner and Lindsay McClelland

Off-road vehicles in Big Cypress to be managed in consideration of natural resources
By Robert V. Sobczak and Antonio J. Pernas

Change in status of lynx and black-tailed prairie dog

Virus responsible for amphibian deaths in parks

Exotic invertebrates spread

Award-Winner Profile - Maintenance Chief Merry Petrossian recognized with award

Ozone standards exceeded in parks

Home

The Colorado River may be the world’s most managed, legislated, and litigated river system. The river and its tributaries sustain cities, industry, and agriculture in an arid region. More than 49 dams store water conveyed by canals and aqueducts to locations inside and outside the basin. Overallocation of basin water yield has fueled conflicts among competing interests, making the river ecosystem the major casualty of battles over water to meet human demands. Modification of flow regimes by dams has contributed to the decline of river-dependent species, including those in six units of the national park system. Affected species include the endemic, federally listed endangered Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius), razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus), humpback chub (Gila cypha), and bonytail (G. elegans). Proposed actions for the recovery of the species include the reoperation of dams to provide flows that meet life history requirements. Although establishing more natural flow patterns is probably the most important tool for recovery, it is controversial because of its potential impacts on human use.

While the impairment of rivers in the Colorado River basin by dams affects many species, the most significant river restoration projects are being driven by efforts to recover the four endangered fishes. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is ultimately responsible for recovery, but other agencies and various interest groups are jointly implementing recovery actions within the subbasins. The Upper Colorado River Recovery Implementation Program (hereafter “the program”) was formed in 1988 with the goal of recovering the endangered fishes while allowing the continuation of water development in compliance with existing laws. The program initially comprised the Upper Basin Water Users; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation; Western Area Power Administration; the States of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming; and the environmental community represented by The Nature Conservancy and Environmental Defense. The Colorado River Energy Distribution Association and the National Park Service acquired voting membership in 2000.

In 2000 the program reviewed reports with flow recommendations for the Green River below the Flaming Gorge Dam and the Gunnison River below the Aspinall Project. These rivers are the two largest tributaries to the Colorado River upstream of Lake Powell. Their flows affect natural river functions in Canyonlands (Utah) and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Parks (Colorado) and in Dinosaur National Monument (Colorado and Utah).

In June, the program adopted flow recommendations for the Green River. In its comments, the National Park Service indicated that these flow recommendations were inadequate to restore riverine processes or meet the needs of the listed species in Dinosaur and Canyonlands. The Park Service was not a voting member at that time. The recommendations were specifically intended to provide benefits in the river between Dinosaur and Canyonlands, where it is believed that fish requirements can be met with lower releases from the dam. The National Park Service is now providing input into the Flaming Gorge Dam Environmental Impact Statement, which will determine how the dam is operated to implement the recommended flows. In addition the NPS Water Resources Division is supporting research on river and riparian species and refining a model to identify flow needs for the purpose of quantifying a federal reserve water right within the monument.

In 2000 the program also considered flow recommendations for the Gunnison River. The National Park Service voted to adopt these recommendations because they represented a legitimate attempt to emulate the natural flow patterns and because the habitat maintenance benefits were well supported by hydrologic data. In addition the recommended flows were consistent with those needed to maintain natural river functions upstream in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. However, the program has yet to resolve differences in the views of its members. Continued opposition by dissenting members could block approval or effect substantial changes of the recommendations.

Flows needed for the recovery of the endangered fishes have yet to be determined for other tributaries, including the Yampa and White Rivers. In addition to containing occupied habitat for the listed species, both rivers contribute to the maintenance of flow and habitat in the Green River in Dinosaur National Monument and Canyonlands National Park. Although it is unclear how tributary flows will be determined, the program will probably affect the decisions.

Riverine habitat managed by the National Park Service is critical for the recovery of the endangered fishes. However, the program’s attempts to strike a balance between recovery and water development can constrain the ability of the Service to meet its other resource management responsibilities. Participation in the program challenges the National Park Service to contribute to endangered species recovery in a manner that is consistent with its broader responsibilities of restoring and protecting the river ecosystem in the national parks.

/YearInReview/yir/yir2000/pages/04_resource_risks/04_01_wullschleger.html
Last Updated: 06/17/2001
Direct comments on this website to jeff_selleck@nps.gov