Efforts to Restore Vital Habitats Below Glen Canyon Dam Show Promise
In a crucial stretch of the Colorado River, three miles downstream from Glen Canyon Dam, biologists are vigilantly monitoring an important ecosystem. The Minus-12-Mile Slough, a tributary branching off the river’s main path, is at the heart of efforts to sustain native fish populations.
This slough, curving around an island on the river’s left bank, has been a warm-water haven, ideal for nonnative species such as the smallmouth bass. These bass pose a significant threat to native fish, including the threatened humpback chub and endangered razorback sucker, as they compete for resources and habitat.
Recognizing the threat, a collaborative effort was launched last spring by the National Park Service and the Bureau of Reclamation. The aim was to transform the slough back into a cold-water habitat, unfavorable to bass. This involved a large-scale excavation to deepen the channel, allowing cooler waters to flow through the area.
Heavy machinery and a barge, alongside a tugboat named Miss Jeanie, were employed to remove tons of sediment and cobble, reshaping the waterway. This restoration work has successfully cooled the waters, creating a more hospitable environment for native species such as chubs, razorbacks, and flannelmouth suckers.
While the current conditions appear positive, with increased water flow and reduced temperatures, ongoing monitoring is essential. Scientists remain vigilant as environmental changes, like drier conditions and reduced water flows, could again favor nonnative species, posing a threat to the river’s ancient inhabitants.
This update on environmental efforts is supported by Pink Jeep Tours and provided by Svea Conrad, KNAU, and the Sustainable Communities Program at Northern Arizona University.
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