2023 Upper Colorado Area Report

Authors: Dave Speas

Year: 2023

Abstract

Water year 2023 in the Upper Colorado River Basin was characterized by above average snowpack conditions in most upper elevation catchments, which provided a much-needed respite from ongoing drought conditions. The 2023 Upper Colorado Area Report to the Desert Fishes Council will provide project updates and other highlights from across the basin, including: Operations at Flaming Gorge Dam to benefit endangered Razorback Sucker and Colorado Pikeminnow in the Green River; Colorado Pikeminnow broodstock collection efforts in the Green and Colorado rivers; Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding awards for improvements at Ouray National Fish Hatchery (Randlett and Grand Valley units) and Wahweap State Fish Hatchery (Big Water, UT); infrastructure funding for expanded PIT monitoring capabilities in the Green and Colorado rivers; continued Razorback Sucker production and stocking by the Palisade High School Fish Hatchery in Palisade, CO and other outreach activities in the Grand Valley of the Colorado River; and Utah State University researchers describe the role of beaver dam analogs in restoration of the Price River, UT.