Limiting Factors and Recovery of Woundfin in the Virgin River

Authors: Melinda Bennion, Richard Fridell

Year: 2018

Abstract

Woundfin, Plagopterus argentissimus, has been federally listed as an endangered species since 1970. Successful reproduction and recruitment of Woundfin is limited to a 16.3 mile reach in the upper Virgin River in Utah. Currently, only a small portion of Woundfin live to be greater than 1-year old in the wild; the persistence of Woundfin is dependent on the survival and reproductive success of these young fish. Woundfin abundance and distribution has been limited by multiple factors including non-native fish, drought, altered streamflow regimes, diversions, elevated water temperature, decreased turbidity, water management events, and a decline of spawning and rearing habitat. Since 2000, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has worked through the collaborative Virgin River Program to identify and evaluate these factors limiting Woundfin persistence and recruitment. This presentation will highlight the creative ways we have addressed these factors and enhanced Woundfin populations and habitat recovery in the Virgin River.