Project Details

Access to important tributary habitats greatly assists the persistence of native Colorado River basin fishes.  Historically, the Duchesne River was used extensively by Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius) and razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus), which are now federally protected under the Endangered Species Act, as well as flannelmouth sucker (Catostomus latipinnis), bluehead sucker (C. discobolus), and roundtail chub (Gila robusta)(1,2), which are currently listed as Sensitive Species and Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Utah(3).  Declines for these species have been most noticeable in heavily impacted mainstem and tributary rivers throughout their native range.  This includes the Duchesne River, which has been significantly altered due to a multitude of water diversions and dams that substantially modify the natural hydrograph and thus a variety of ecosystem level processes.  In addition, some diversion structures (e.g., Myton Diversion) create impassible barriers that limit migratory capabilities of the aforementioned species, thus disconnecting fish populations and limiting gene flow over time.  Furthermore, Division personnel documented flannelmouth sucker in spawning condition immediately below the Myton Diversion structure in April 2009(4), suggesting that these fish were attempting to move upstream (presumably to historical spawning grounds).  Construction of a fish passage structure at the Myton Diversion in 2015 has restored connectivity of fish populations above and below the diversion, adding more than 20 miles of historical spawning and rearing habitat to the lower Duchesne River, and helping restore natural ecosystem function in the Duchesne River watershed.  However, the fish passage structure is designed for selective passage (i.e., allow movement of native species, removal of invasive nonnative fishes) using a series of fish traps and must be manually operated to pass native fishes either upstream or downstream during spring high flows when these fish are migrating to spawn.  Without manual operation, benefits to native fishes from the construction of this passage structure will not occur.  Additionally, in order to evaluate the success of the fish passage structure through time, it is imperative that the fish assemblage is assessed regularly to compare pre- and post-passage fish communities.  Unfortunately, during the construction phase of the fish passage structure (funded from a variety of resources), operation and maintenance costs were unknown as was the level of effort from each agency responsible for future monitoring.  To ensure that this essential project occurs in addition to other mandatory tasks, we are requesting additional assistance from ESMF in FY 2024 and potentially beyond to specifically expand native species habitat and to monitor the effectiveness of this beneficial habitat alteration.

1 Bezzerides, N. and K. Bestgen.  2002.  Status review of roundtail chub, Gila Robusta, flannelmouth sucker, Catostomus latipinnis, and bluehead sucker, Catostomus discobolus, in the Colorado River Basin.  Larval Fish Lab Contribution 118, Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.

2 Holden, P.B. and C.B. Stalnaker.  1975.  Distribution and abundance of mainstem fishes of the middle and upper Colorado River basins, 1967-1973.  Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 104:217-231.

3 UDWR. 2006. Conservation and Management Plan for Three Species Fish in Utah. Publication. 2006. Publication 06-17. Salt Lake City, Utah

4 Breen, M.J. and T.N. Hedrick.  2010.  Conservation activities for bluehead sucker, flannelmouth sucker, and roundtail chub in four drainages of northeastern Utah.      2009 Statewide Monitoring Summary, Publication 10-25.  Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Salt Lake City, UT.

Provide evidence about the nature of the problem and the need to address it. Identify the significance of the problem using a variety of data sources. For example, if a habitat restoration project is being proposed to benefit greater sage-grouse, describe the existing plant community characteristics that limit habitat value for greater sage-grouse and identify the changes needed for habitat improvement.

The main objective of this project is to provide fish selective passage at the Myton Diversion on the Duchesne River.  Specifically, following the construction of a vertical slot fishway through the diversion structure to restore access to over 20 miles of the Duchesne River for native fish populations.  We expect immediate habitat-use benefits for flannelmouth sucker, but also expect other native species with regular long-distance migrations to benefit as well from the addition of spawning and rearing habitat (seasonal use and year-round use). Based on operational experience and lessons learned from 2016 experimental spring operation, we plan on operating the Myton fish passage for 45 days in the spring of 2024, accomplishing a number of native species conservation objectives.  Passage operation will allow for selective movement of native species above Myton Diversion, allowing historic locations to be reoccupied.  It will also allow for targeted removal of invasive species including walleye, smallmouth bass, white sucker, and other problematic nonnatives.  For our second objective, fish community surveys will be necessary both above and below Myton fish passage to evaluate the success of fish passage operations (i.e., pre- vs. post-passage community composition). This sampling will also allow for the opportunity to PIT tag fish to determine how fish are moving around the drainage.  For example, do we see a shift in community composition as we allow additional native fishes access to upstream areas?

(1)	Operate Myton Diversion fish passage structure for up to 45 days (spring 2024).

(2)	Survey multiple sites using barge, boat, and cataraft electrofishing techniques to determine shifts in fish community composition this may include up running from the Green River Confluence when flows allow (fall 2024).

(3)   Provide a 5-year assessment report after spring 2024 operations. This will include data from 2016-19 and 2024.

Provide an overall goal for the project and then provide clear, specific and measurable objectives (outcomes) to be accomplished by the proposed actions. If possible, tie to one or more of the public benefits UWRI is providing.

LOCATION: Justify the proposed location of this project over other areas, include publicly scrutinized planning/recovery documents that list this area as a priority, remote sensing modeling that show this area is a good candidate for restoration, wildlife migration information and other data that help justify this project's location.

TIMING: Justify why this project should be implemented at this time. For example, Is the project area at risk of crossing an ecological or other threshold wherein future restoration would become more difficult, cost prohibitive, or even impossible.

Conservation of the three species in the state of Utah are related to both a rangewide and statewide conservation agreement and strategy plan.  These plans are attached to the documents section but the specific activities addressed by this project that are included in the associated conservation agreements and strategies are outlined below including the action followed by an explanation of how this project addresses each specific action.

Increase roundtail chub, bluehead sucker, and flannelmouth sucker populations to
 accelerate progress toward attaining population objectives for respective species.
Explanation:  This project increases populations of the three species by allowing access to 20 miles of previously cut-off habitat.  Increasing populations reduces threats posed by genetic bottlenecks, and hybridization with invasive species.  This project accelerates conservation of the three species in the Duchesne River above the Myton Diversion.

Control (as feasible and where possible) threats posed by nonnative species that compete
 with, prey upon, or hybridize with roundtail chub, bluehead sucker, and flannelmouth
 sucker.
Explanation:  Manual operation of this fish passage structure allows for the selective removal of problematic non-native species.  Of particular concern in the Duchesne River are white sucker and smallmouth bass.  These along with other invasive species can be selectively removed thereby reducing the impact of invasive species.

Expand roundtail chub, bluehead sucker, and flannelmouth sucker population
 distributions through transplant, augmentation (i.e., use of artificially propagated stock)
 or reintroduction activities as warranted using a genetically based augmentation/
 reestablishment plan.
Explanation:  This project is not a typical reintroduction plan through a stocking type of approach it does however expand the three species populations by allowing access to 20 miles of habitat that have been previously cut-off by the Myton Diversion.  By providing passage we are expanding three species populations in particular Roundtail Chub and Bluehead Sucker which have been extirpated from the area above Myton Diversion.

Establish and implement qualitative and quantitative long-term population and habitat
monitoring programs for roundtail chub, bluehead sucker, and flannelmouth sucker.
Explanation:  This project has been ongoing including multiple years of community sampling prior to completion of the passage project.  We also annually assess community following completion of the passage structure.  This allows for a long term data set to evaluate the success of this project and how reintroduction effects overall community composition in the Duchesne drainage.  This information can then be extrapolated to better understand how reintroduction efforts may work in other drainages.

List management plans where this project will address an objective or strategy in the plan. Describe how the project area overlaps the objective or strategy in the plan and the relevance of the project to the successful implementation of those plans. It is best to provide this information in a list format with the description immediately following the plan objective or strategy.

If applicable, detail how the proposed project will significantly reduce the risk of fuel loading and/or continuity of hazardous fuels including the use of fire-wise species in re-seeding operations. Describe the value of any features being protected by reducing the risk of fire. Values may include; communities at risk, permanent infrastructure, municipal watersheds, campgrounds, critical wildlife habitat, etc. Include the size of the area where fuels are being reduced and the distance from the feature(s) at risk.

Describe how the project has the potential to improve water quality and/or increase water quantity, both over the short and long term. Address run-off, erosion, soil infiltration, and flooding, if applicable.

Description of efforts, both completed and planned, to bring the proposed action into compliance with any and all cultural resource, NEPA, ESA, etc. requirements. If compliance is not required enter "not applicable" and explain why not it is not required.

Prior to construction of the Myton Diversion fish passage structure in 2015, fish community surveys via backpack, barge, and cataraft electrofishing were completed in the Duchesne River (above and below the diversion, during high and low flow conditions) to develop a comprehensive picture of the pre-passage fish assemblage.  These surveys will continue as a monitoring component for this project (combined with fish passage operation).  We plan to operate this structure during high spring flows (up to 45 days) when native fishes are actively migrating to spawn upstream.  The selective passage feature of the structure consists of two individual fish trap fyke panels that can be manipulated as needed.  By separating the two fyke traps with a center panel, we will create two individual traps: (1) one representing fish that were captured while moving in a downstream direction and (2) one representing fish that were captured while moving upstream.  Field personnel will flush out the raceway of sediment and debris to begin each site visit, then the raceway will be closed while personnel conduct numerous net sweeps in each trap, noting the direction of travel for each fish captured.  All native fishes will be PIT-tagged and released either upstream or downstream of the diversion depending upon which trap they were captured in.  All nonnative fishes, regardless of which trap they were collected in, will be removed from the system.

In 2022, a floor-lift system was installed in the structure which will enable safer and more efficient operation during high flows.  Methods for operation of the lift system will be developed upon its completion.

Describe the actions, activities, tasks to be implemented as part of the proposed project; how these activities will be carried out, equipment to be used, when, and by whom.

Describe plans to monitor for project success and achievement of stated objectives. Include details on type of monitoring (vegetation, wildlife, etc.), schedule, assignments and how the results of these monitoring efforts will be reported and/or uploaded to this project page. If needed, upload detailed plans in the "attachments" section.

List any and all partners (agencies, organizations, NGO's, private landowners) that support the proposal and/or have been contacted and included in the planning and design of the proposed project. Describe efforts to gather input and include these agencies, landowners, permitees, sportsman groups, researchers, etc. that may be interested/affected by the proposed project. Partners do not have to provide funding or in-kind services to a project to be listed.

The structure was installed to provide passage for the life of Myton Diversion. Currently, the structure operates as a selective passage, which is labor intensive. In some systems, the benefits of selective passage outweigh the costs (in accordance with the SHA/CCAA). We will assess the value of selective passage on the Duchesne River for five years of operation through 2024 season. Our assessment will detail upstream and downstream use of the passage for all species as well as changes in community composition above and below the passage.

If after the assessment it is deemed that selective passage is not providing a greater benefit than open passage, we will remove the trap and only operate the gates and stop logs to ensure proper attraction flows. If selective passage is found to provide enough value to warrant continuation, the UDWR will consult with the Department of Natural Resources ESMF Office and the Utah 3-Species conservation team to determine appropriate and available long-term funding sources for annual operations.

Detail future methods or techniques (including administrative actions) that will be implemented to help in accomplishing the stated objectives and to insure the long term success/stability of the proposed project. This may include: post-treatment grazing rest and/or management plans/changes, wildlife herd/species management plan changes, ranch plans, conservation easements or other permanent protection plans, resource management plans, forest plans, etc.

Potential for the proposed action to improve quality or quantity of sustainable uses such as grazing, timber harvest, biomass utilization, recreation, etc. Grazing improvements may include actions to improve forage availability and/or distribution of livestock.