Using telemetry to track the movements of a federally endangered desert sucker

Authors: Justin Handtke, Brandon Albrecht, Ron Rogers, Mark McKinstry, Kerri Pedersen

Year: 2022

Abstract

Advances in telemetry technology has provided insight into the movements of imperiled freshwater fish species, such as the Razorback Sucker in the Colorado River Basin. Due to their large-scale movements across both lentic and lotic systems, telemetry-based movement studies are used to better understand these large-scale patterns. Both active and passive tracking techniques have been used to better understand Razorback Sucker habitat use throughout Lake Mead and the Colorado River flowing into to the Grand Canyon, since 2014. During this time, large-scale movements between these two systems have been documented, despite the formation of natural barriers, such as Pearce Ferry Rapid, which appears act as a barrier to movement for both native and nonnative fishes. Continued telemetry and ongoing studies will aid in a better understanding of the near annual wild recruitment of Razorback Sucker in Lake Mead and Colorado River.