Native fish repopulating Colorado River Connectivity Channel faster than anticipated: CPW
The aquatic biologists completed the first-ever raft electrofishing survey at the river connectivity channel in early May, according to CPW, which said the researchers estimated nearly 850 brown trout and about 221 rainbow trout more than six inches in length already live within a one-mile reach of the connectivity channel.
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'It was very exciting to see a healthy number of adult trout occupying all of this new habitat,' said Jon Ewert, CPW Hot Sulphur Springs Area Aquatic Biologist, in a statement. 'Especially considering that we have not stocked a single fish into the channel.'
The Colorado River Connectivity Project reconnected aquatic habitats that were fragmented by the construction of the Windy Gap Reservoir in 1985. The project was finished in the fall of 2023.
CPW biologists also previously observed 'extensive' brown trout spawning activity in the river connectivity channel last fall, along with 'moderate' rainbow trout spawning activity this spring, the agency said.
The agency also documented positive signs of native fish repopulating in the river connectivity channel earlier than anticipated last fall, with an aquatic research team finding evidence at that time of native sculpin returning to the upper Colorado River and the river connectivity channel after several decades of absence in nearly 30 miles of their former habitat.
CPW said it may take years for the beneficial effects of the river connectivity channel to be 'fully realized,' but that their findings suggest the health of the river could be improving faster than expected.
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'Seeing such positive results with water flowing through this new river section for just over a year, we anticipate that this fish population will continue to grow,' Ewert said.
The new river section is currently closed to public fishing access, according to CPW, which said it expects to open the area to the public after it has had sufficient time to 'fully revegetate,' via 'a couple more' growing seasons.
Coloradans who would like to learn more about the Colorado River Connectivity Channel Project can find more information online.
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