News Release Archive

Reclamation Requests Comments on Floodplain Habitat Restoration for Endangered Fish

Media Contact: Terence Stroh, 970-248-0608, tstroh@uc.usbr.gov
Justyn Hock, 970-248-0625, jhock@uc.usbr.gov

For Release: May 16, 2005

The Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program (Recovery Program) has developed a Floodplain Restoration Program aimed at enhancing river bottomland habitats critical to the endangered Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker.

As part of the Floodplain Restoration Program, the Recovery Program is working with Colorado State Parks and Mesa County to construct three notches in dikes to connect the Pick-up Pond, Tipping Ponds A and B, and 29 5/8 Pond during spring runoff. The ponds are located north of the Colorado River between Clifton and Grand Junction, Colo.

The purposes for notching the dikes are to provide access to a pond environment that will provide habitat for drifting razorback sucker larvae during spring runoff; to increase the frequency of the ponds connecting; and to maintain the ponds for fish nursery habitat after river connections have ceased.

Reclamation is preparing an environmental assessment (EA) to evaluate the three proposed notches to the dikes and consider alternatives for the floodplain habitat restoration project.

For more information on the proposed notches, or to receive a copy of the draft EA contact Terence Stroh at (970) 248-0608. Written comments on the proposed project are requested by Friday, June 10, 2005. Comments can be faxed to (970) 248-0601, emailed to tstroh@uc.usbr.gov, or mailed to Terence Stroh, Bureau of Reclamation, 2764 Compass Drive, Suite 106, Grand Junction, CO 81506.

# # #

The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.