Matheson Wetland Pond Enhancement
Project ID: 5469
Status: Completed
Fiscal Year: 2021
Submitted By: 93
Project Manager: Nicole Nielson
PM Agency: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
PM Office: Salt Lake Office
Lead: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
WRI Region: Southeastern
Description:
The central pond at the Matheson Wetland WMA will be dredged to add depth to provide better habitat for waterfowl, amphibians and fish. A new water control structure was installed in 2019 to allow for more water holding capacity.
Location:
Matheson Wetland WMA, Grand County outside of Moab, UT.
Project Need
Need For Project:
The Matheson Wetland is the only off channel wetland along the Colorado River in Utah. This area provides habitat for all kinds of wildlife along the Colorado River. The Matheson wetland is co-owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy and Division of Wildlife Resources. The Scott Matheson Wetland Preserve located in southeastern Utah is one of very few area that provide habitat for waterfowl as migrations occur. The majority of waterfowl use the Preserve seasonally as they migrate in the Spring and Fall. The ponds will have several depths ranging from 1-foot to greater than 3-feet in depth. This will be beneficial for growing aquatic vegetation that will provide food when waterfowl are migrating. The wetland preserve also has the potential to benefit several native sensitive and endangered fish that require nursery habitat for their young of year. The Preserve is periodically flooded by the Colorado River, but the flooding frequency and duration have both declined since 1959 when dams were constructed on the Upper Colorado River. Portions of the Preserve such as the Central Pond achieve connection through a newly constructed gated canal. We anticipate the project to provide a functional, floodplain wetland that will offer waterfowl and razorback sucker suitable habitat, as well as offering other ecological benefits to the Matheson Preserve. Once fully implemented, a supplement water source will be piped to the central pond to maintain central pond levels continuing to provide habitat for waterfowl and razorback suckers habitat during the summer months. A multitude of other wildlife species will benefit from increasing the frequency and duration the wetland is flooded. These include: Amphibians - A large population of native northern leopard frogs (Rana pipiens) are present in the wetlands of the Preserve. Concentrations of leopard frogs occur in certain areas of the Preserve where water is fairly stable throughout the summer. Preferred habitat is found in areas with water up to one foot deep with grassy wet meadows nearby. Northern leopard frogs are listed as sensitive by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Birds - There are a variety of bird species that use the Preserve. Over 165 species have been recorded over the years. A great blue heron (Ardea herodias) rookery has been active for several years and will benefit from increase ponds and wetland areas. They may also pose a threat to survival of young razorback suckers if flooded areas are not deep enough. The ponds will be graduated from 1-3 feet to help reduce this threat. Several other wading birds will benefit from the flooded wetland such as sandhill cranes, American avocet, American Bittern, and egrets. Southwestern Willow flycatcher would potential use the wetland primarily as breeding habitat in May and June. Breeding habitat requires dense tree/shrub cover greater than 3m tall, dense twig structure, and high levels of green foliage. All habitat types can be found on the wetland and with the additional year round water will diversify wetland vegetation. Yellow-billed cuckoo is a federally listed species. This species inhabits dense lowland riparian habitat (regenerating canopy trees, willows, or other riparian shrubs) for nesting within 100 m of water. The additional flooded wetlands will provide more water in the wetland during the breeding/nesting periods in June and July. Wild Turkey - Rio Grande turkey populations are active on the preserve. They typically inhabit the riparian areas with cottonwood overstory.
Objectives:
1. Increase migratory waterfowl feeding and resting areas. 2. Provide increase habitat and opportunity for waterfowl hunting in southeastern Utah. 3. Increase native wetland and riparian grass, forb, shrub, and tree species by increasing water availability and flood frequency (3 out of 5 years) in the Preserve. 4. Reduce bulrush cover and lower the risk of West Nile Virus by increasing the water volume and depths in the Preserve. 5. Increase recruitment of wild native fish (Razorback Sucker, Bonytail chub, Bluehead sucker, Flannelmouth sucker) in the Colorado River via improvements to and management of existing nursery habitat at the Central Pond within the Wetland.
Project Location/Timing Justification (Why Here? Why Now?):
Project uncertainties include the magnitude of spring flooding, which may result in low water levels in the wetland. Because the upper Colorado River is a relatively natural system, spring flows are unpredictable and uncontrollable. Based on the current flow regime, our goal is to have sufficient mainstem flow to allow inundation of the central pond in three out of every five years. Supplemental water will be piped to the central pond but flows may not be enough in drought years to maintain water depth during the irrigation season. As irrigation ceases in the fall the pond will begin to fill again when migrating waterfowl begin to arrive during fall migrations. If the pond is not dredged it will continue to be shallow and provide limited habitat for waterfowl during migrations. Dredging the pond to a depth of 5ft at the deepest it will allow for more water holding capacity and provide additional forage.
Relation To Management Plan:
1. Scott M. Matheson Wetlands Preserve Wildfire Response Plan Objective #3 Define and maintain sufficient water quality that supports existing valuable wetland habitat and, if necessary, restore or improve water quality to enhance habitat. Objective #4 Restore native vegetation communities to enhance wetland structure and wildlife habitat and help to control or eradicate exotic species. 2. North American Waterfowl Management Plan 2012 Goal 1. Abundant and resilient waterfowl populations to support hunting and other uses without imperiling habitat. Goal 2: Wetlands and related habitats sufficient to sustain waterfowl populations at desired levels, while providing places to recreate and ecological services that benefit society. 3. A Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan for the Moab Area 2014. A. Support projects that alleviate the possibilities of catastrophic wild fire. B. Support projects and land uses that protect the riparian corridors and stream ecology. C. Support projects, land uses, and water allocation policy that protect wetlands. 4. UDWR. 2006. Range-wide Conservation Agreement and Strategy for Roundtail Chub (Gila robusta), Bluehead Sucker (Catostomus discobolus), and Flannelmouth Sucker (Catostomus latipinnis). 6) Enhance and maintain habitat for roundtail chub, bluehead sucker, and flannelmouth sucker. A. Provide flows needed for all life stages of the subject species. B. Restore altered channel and habitat features to conditions suitable for the three species 5) Wildlife Action Plan 2015 A) Big Free-tailed bat (Nyctinomops macrotis) - The species often roosts and forms maternity colonies in massive sandstone cliffs near bodies of open water in a variety of habitats. It is presumed that big free-tailed bats migrate out of Utah for the winter. B) Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax trailii extimus) - Populations declining due to altered water regimes, invasive plants, improper riparian grazing, development and nest parasitism. Manage and restore lowland riparian for suitable habitat. C) Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens) - Habitat restoration in wetlands and along riparian corridors. 6) Management Plan of the Pacific and Central Flyways for the Rocky Mountain Population of Greater Sandhill Cranes 2007 Objective B. Maintain and protect suitable habitats in sufficient quantity and quality to support population objectives and spatial distribution, while encouraging population expansion where desirable. 7) Utah's Freshwater Conservation Plan Objective: Conserve habitats or species by influencing management/use of lands and waters 8. Razorback Sucker Recovery Plan 5.2 Site-Specific Management Actions and Tasks by Recovery Factor 5.2.1 Upper basin recovery unit 5.2.1.1 Factor A.--Adequate habitat and range for recovered populations provided Management Action A-5.--Provide floodplain habitats for all life stages of razorback sucker, particularly to serve as nursery areas for larvae and juveniles. Task A-5.1.--Identify appropriate bottomland sites and assess opportunities for land acquisition or easements. Task A-5.2.--Acquire or procure easements (as determined under Task A-5.1) for bottomland sites where determined necessary and feasible. 5.2.1.3 Factor C.--Adequate protection from diseases and predation Management Action C-3.--Control problematic nonnative fishes as needed. Task C-3.1.--Develop control programs for small-bodied nonnative fishes (e.g., cyprinids and centrarchids) in backwater and flooded off-channel nursery habitats in river reaches occupied by young razorback sucker to identify the levels of control that will minimize predation (see sections 4.3.2 and A.8 for discussion of effects of nonnative fishes). Task C-3.2.--Implement identified levels (as determined under Task C-3.1) of nonnative fish control in backwater and flooded off-channel nursery habitats in river reaches occupied by young razorback sucker. 9. Recovery Implementation Program Recovery Action Plan GENERAL RECOVERY PROGRAM SUPPORT ACTION PLAN II.A Restore flooded bottomland habitats. II.A.1. Conduct inventory of flooded bottomlands habitat for potential restoration. III.A Reduce negative interactions between nonnative and endangered fishes. V. Monitor populations and habitat and conduct research to support recovery actions (research, monitoring, and data management). VI. INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND SUPPORT FOR THE ENDANGERED FISHES AND THE RECOVERY PROGRAM. (Includes integration with San Juan River Recovery Implementation Program.) COLORADO RIVER ACTION PLAN: MAINSTEM II.A. Restore and manage flooded bottomland habitat II.A.5. Acquire interest in high-priority flooded bottomland habitats III. Reduce negative impacts of nonnative fishes and sportfish management activities (nonnative and sportfish management) III. A. Develop and implement control programs in reaches of the Colorado River occupied by endangered fishes. V. MONITOR POPULATIONS AND HABITAT AND CONDUCT RESEARCH TO SUPPORT RECOVERY ACTIONS (RESEARCH, MONITORING, AND DATA MANAGEMENT) V.A. Conduct research to acquire life history information and enhance scientific techniques required to complete recovery actions 10. Upper Colorado River Subbasin Floodplain Management Plan 1.2 Goals and Objectives Goal: provide adequate floodplain habitats for all life stages of razorback sucker in the Upper Colorado and Gunnison rivers for establishment and maintenance of a self-sustaining population, particularly to serve as nursery areas for larvae and juveniles. Objectives: 1.2.1. Inventory floodplain habitats; 1.2.2. Identify floodplains necessary for life stages of razorback sucker; 1.2.3. Restore and manage strategic floodplains to benefit razorback sucker; and 1.2.4. Evaluate effectiveness of floodplain restoration. 6.2 Management Plan Strategies: 6.2.2. Mechanically reconfigure floodplain sites downstream of identified spawning sites to provide suitable flooding and entrainment of larval razorback sucker. 6.2.3. Assist establishment of wild populations of razorback sucker and bonytail through release of hatchery-reared fish. 6.2.4. Continue to investigate and implement best management strategies to reduce detrimental effects of nonnative fish in floodplain habitats. 6.2.5. Insure suitable instream flows to inundate key floodplain sites on a timely basis. 11. Conceptual Management Plan for Razorback Sucker: Habitat Enhancement in Flooded Bottomlands I. C. Goals: 1. Enhance all values of the flooded bottomland habitat within the Preserve in order to aid the recovery of threatened and endangered fish species. The Preserve should be able to function as naturally as possible in the Colorado River ecosystem. 2. Augment populations by enhancing the survival of early life stages. 3. Provide essential habitat for the natural recruitment and survival of the Upper basin razorback sucker population 4. Determine how best to manage essential habitat for optimum natural production of razorback sucker. IV.A. Phase 1. 1. Characterize the fish community in the wetlands 2. Refurbish the wetland outlet structure IV.A. Phase 3. Re-establish the historic flooding regime by increasing communication between the Preserve and the Colorado River. 2. Design a water delivery system for the Preserve b. Deliver flows to wetlands via a system of inlet and outlet structures and canals. d. Create wetlands that could be drained to remove predators, but which would also flood during high water.
Fire / Fuels:
Desert riparian communities in southern Utah are fire-adapted systems. Prior to 1900, riparian areas experienced low-intensity fires at a rate of 2-5 per century. These fires were highly variable and depended upon site-specific fuels and conditions. Wildfires in riparian communities were presumably uncommon due to the high moisture content of the riparian soils and vegetation, and the low frequency of lightning strikes in low-lying drainages and valley bottoms. These infrequent fires often burned in a mosaic pattern leaving much of the vegetation and soil only lightly disturbed, and helped maintain a diversity of plant species. Dominant members of the Populus and Salix genera respond to low-intensity fires by either root sprouting or survival through older individuals. The suppression of naturally occurring fires, the altered hydrologic regime of the Colorado River and an increase of exotic/invasive plant species in riparian communities has resulted in an increased fuel loading within riparian zones. As a result, there has been an increase in both fire frequency (5-10 per century) and intensity in many riparian areas throughout the Southwest - much to the detriment of the native plant community which can not survive the high-intensity fires. Compounding the threat of wildfire to riparian communities in the Matheson Preserve, is the close proximity of residential and commercial properties to the preserve, and the potential impacts of a wildfire on human safety, air quality, commercial activities, highway or road closures, and loss of private property. The primary Fuel Type within the Matheson Preserve is Fuel Model 3, Tall Grass, and the secondary fuel type is Fuel Model 4, Brush. Mosaics of vegetation exist in the preserve depending upon the presence of surface or subsurface water. Previous work in the wetlands has removed many of the exotic/invasive tree species (salt cedar and Russian Olive). By improving the surface water management, riparian soils will begin to have higher moisture content and riparian vegetation will be maintained reducing the risk of wildfires. Infrastructure that could be threatened by a wildfire include: boardwalks, wildlife viewing platforms, historic cabin, sub-surface gas line, several different power lines, and neighboring private and commercial homes/lands in the city of Moab.
Water Quality/Quantity:
Ground and surface water quality varies within the Preserve. Generally, the wetlands in the central and southern portions of the Preserve are of good quality. Some metals are found in the northern and eastern portion of the Preserve and a large plume of sodium chloride occurs in the northern portion of the Preserve.
Compliance:
1. Arch clearance. Completed 2. NEPA not applicable for state and private lands. 3. State Stream Alteration Permit for river diversion. Completed 4. US Army Corps of Engineers Individual Permit for the impacts to wetlands and streams for the final selected project. Will be completed late summer 2020. 5. Water Rights Point of Diversion Change Application. Completed 6. ESA Section 7 consultation. Completed
Methods:
The central pond will be dredged to a maximum depth of 5ft and will slope to a minimum depth of 1ft. We will hire a qualified construction company that can dig and haul material to upland location on the preserve. The dredged material will be re-seeded with an upland seed mix.
Monitoring:
Water monitoring measurement are taken periodically during the year. They are recorded in a spreadsheet. If water levels reach low levels water will be released to the Colorado river. The pipeline from the TNC water right will be able to turn water into the pipeline or back to slowly work across the wetland. If needed water can be turned into the water line to keep pond levels up.
Partners:
1. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources - Partial landowner with TNC. The Moab Native Aquatics Field Station and Southeastern Region Habitat Section have collaborated with TNC this past year to develop possible solutions the Scott Matheson Wetland which can benefit razorback suckers. The Moab Native Aquatics Field Station has reached out to the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program (UCREFRP) for additional support. 2. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) - Partial landowner with UDWR. Facilitating/obtaining engineering services for project development. Providing granting writing, project oversight, and funding opportunities. 3. Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program (UCREFRP). UCREFRP studies and reports constitute much of the conceptual framework for this project. UCREFRP staff have provided expertise and funding relevant to the project and expressed continuing interest in its success as related to recovery of the razorback sucker. 4. Forestry, Fire, and State Lands (FFSL) manages sovereign lands along the Colorado River adjacent to the Scott Matheson Wetland and have been a partner in the planning effort. They have also provided funding through their department. 5. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) has been providing recommendations on process and design based on previous experience.
Future Management:
The Scott Matheson Wetland Preserve is managed by DWR and TNC as a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) since 1992. DWR and TNC will continue to manage this property for wetland ecosystem and wildlife habitat preservation and low impact recreation. This property is managed intensively and conservation values are the top priority.
Sustainable Uses of Natural Resources:
The first settlement in the Moab area, known as the Elk Mountain Mission, brought grazing to the Moab Valley and to the wetland. In May of 1992, all domestic livestock grazing was discontinued within the Preserve.
Budget WRI/DWR Other Budget Total In-Kind Grand Total
$173,000.00 $118,500.00 $291,500.00 $0.00 $291,500.00
Item Description WRI Other In-Kind Year
Contractual Services Pond dredging and/or pipeline installation $173,000.00 $118,500.00 $0.00 2021
Funding WRI/DWR Other Funding Total In-Kind Grand Total
$271,255.40 $0.00 $271,255.40 $1,182.04 $272,437.44
Source Phase Description Amount Other In-Kind Year
Federal Aid (PR) DWR Enhancement $130,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 2021
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) T162 Private funds (Enterprise grant, coop agreement and other). Match for DWR Enhancement. $53,756.17 $0.00 $0.00 2021
Desert Fishes Habitat Partnership A117 DFHP funding to dredge pond. $43,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 2021
Habitat Council Account QHCR $34,499.23 $0.00 $0.00 2021
Utah Endangered Species Mitigation Fund (ESMF) E150 $10,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 2021
DWR-WRI Project Admin In-Kind $0.00 $0.00 $1,182.04 2021
Species
Species "N" Rank HIG/F Rank
Bluehead Sucker N4
Threat Impact
Channelization / Bank Alteration (direct, intentional) High
Flannelmouth Sucker N3
Threat Impact
Channel Downcutting (indirect, unintentional) Low
Wild Turkey R1
Threat Impact
No Threat NA
Northern Leopard Frog N5
Threat Impact
Channel Downcutting (indirect, unintentional) Medium
Northern Leopard Frog N5
Threat Impact
Droughts High
Razorback Sucker N1
Threat Impact
Channel Downcutting (indirect, unintentional) Low
Razorback Sucker N1
Threat Impact
Droughts Very High
Razorback Sucker N1
Threat Impact
Invasive Wildlife Species - Non-native Very High
Wading Birds
Threat Impact
No Threat NA
Waterfowl
Threat Impact
No Threat NA
Canada Goose R1
Threat Impact
Droughts High
Cinnamon Teal R1
Threat Impact
Droughts High
Gadwall R1
Threat Impact
Droughts High
Mallard R1
Threat Impact
Droughts High
Habitats
Habitat
Open Water
Threat Impact
Droughts High
Project Comments
Comment 08/12/2021 Type: 2 Commenter: Daniel Eddington
This is just a reminder that completion reports are due August 31st. I have entered the expenses in the Through WRI/DWR column on the finance page. Please do not make any changes to numbers in the Through WRI/DWR column. Any "Through Other" or "In-kind" expenses will need to be entered by the PM or contributors. Update your map features and fill out the completion form. Be sure to click on the finalize button on the completion report when you have your completion report ready to be reviewed by WRI Admin. Don't forget to upload any pictures of the project you have of before, during and after completion. If you have any questions about this don't hesitate to contact me. Thanks.
Comment 08/24/2021 Type: 2 Commenter: Alison Whittaker
Thank you for submitting your completion form on time. I have moved this project to completed.
Completion
Start Date:
09/09/2020
End Date:
03/01/2021
FY Implemented:
2021
Final Methods:
The project was designed and engineered by a professional engineering firm. This allowed us to make sure that when the contractor was on site we could get to correct depth and grade to allow water to flow in and out of the pond correctly, allowing for razorback larvae entrainment when river flows are sufficient. The pond was dredged with excavators and dump trucks. Pond materials were hauled to an upland site on the preserve. The pipeline was then installed from the pond moving towards the water control structure. 12 inch HDPE pipe was installed most of the length of the pipeline. Pipe was buried mostly at a depth of 3 feet but at places it is shallower. A concrete water control structure was installed to allow water to run through the pipe to the pond or to move through the wetland naturally.
Project Narrative:
A pre-work meeting on Sept. 9, 2020 kicked off project related work. The contractor began dredging the pond area on 9/14/2020. Approximately 20,500 cubic yards of sediment was dredged from our central pond creating a maximum depth of 5 ft. over 2 acres. The pond dredging was completed on 12/7/2020. The pipeline to convey the supplemental water was then installed and completed on March 1, 2021.
Future Management:
The DWR fisheries team in the Moab field office will manage the pond including the water control gates at the Colorado River and water in the pipeline coming from Watercress spring water rights. Annual light trapping for razorback sucker larvae will be done to determine presence at the site to move fish into the pond. Water quality and quantity will be evaluated over the summer months to determine in action is needed for survivability of fish entrained in the pond. Fish will be released into the Colorado River system in the fall of the year. The pond will be dried up to remove an non-native fish. The pond will then be filled for waterfowl in fall and spring.
Map Features
ID Feature Category Action Treatement/Type
997 Pipeline Construction Below surface
2379 Water development point feature Construction Water Control Structure
9388 Aquatic/Riparian Treatment Area Lake/Wetland/Pond Improvements Dredging
Project Map
Project Map