East Fork Parachute Creek Fish Barrier to Benefit Colorado River Cutthroat Trout

State(s):
  • Colorado
Managing Agency/Organization:
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Type of Organization: Federal Government
Project Status: Underway
Project type: WNTI Project
Project action(s):
  • Fish passage
  • In-stream and riparian habitat
  • Introduced species
Trout species benefitted:
  • Colorado River Cutthroat
Population:
  • East Fork Parachute Creek Colorado basin

This project will be the first step in reclaiming more than four miles of stream for Colorado River Cutthroat Trout, as the area above the constructed barrier will be poisoned at a future date and brook trout removed. Resident cutthroat would benefit by the elimination of brook trout above the barrier.

East Fork Parachute Creek contains a rapidly dwindling population of genetically pure Colorado River cutthroat trout that are identified as a Core Conservation population. In addition to CRCT, the stream contains a healthy brook trout population. Brook trout are out-competing Colorado River cutthroat trout, with the problem caused by a lack of a physical barrier to exclude brook trout.

This project has not yet been completed. It is still in the works and long
story short, we have come full circle and plan to design a mainstem barrier this summer(2010) with NEPA this coming fall/winter with implementation next summer(2011). This project has gone through numerous iterations but we are closing in on a final proposed action and design.

Objectives:
  • Install a fish barrier that could be used to exclude brook trout.
Partners:
  • Colorado Division of Wildlife
Funding Source(s):
  • National Fish Habitat Action Plan
Project cost: $34,000.00
Start Date: 07/01/2008 Completion Date: 10/30/2009

Project contact

Tom Fresques
West Slope Fisheries Biologist
Bureau of Land Management
Glenwood Springs Field Office
50629 Hwys 6 & 24
Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81601
Phone: 970-947-2814
Email: tom_fresques@co.blm.gov
Submitted on: May 12, 2010
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