LEES FERRYRECREATIONAL TROUT

FISHERY MANAGEMENTRECOMMENDATIONS:

The Voice of Lees Ferry Recreational Anglers, Guides, and Businesses

August 2015

Table of ContentsExecutive Summary............................................. 1The Lee’s Ferry Trout Fishery ............................. 2Purpose and Need............................................... 3Goals and Objectives .......................................... 3Recommendations............................................... 4 Aquatic food base enhancement Glen Canyon Dam operations Minimumflows HighFlowExperiments Troutmanagementflows Equalizationflows Fishing regulations

Funding for this report made possible by a grant from Wildlife for TomorrowPhoto Credit: All photos from Lees Ferry Anglers unless otherwise noted.

MarbleCanyontroutfishery Riparian vegetation restoration Trout stocking Lowdissolvedoxygenprotocol Temperature control device Bypass tube electrical generation Turbidity enhancementMonitoring and Management Triggers ................. 8Summary and Conclusions.................................. 9Literature Cited .................................................. 11Appendix............................................................ 12Get Involved Today ............................................ 13

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Executive Summary: Lees Ferry Recreational Trout Fishery Recommendations

The15.5-milestretchofColoradoRiverwindingthroughGlenCanyonbetweentheGlenCanyonDamandthebeginningofMarbleCanyon(withinGrandCanyonNationalPark)iscommonlyreferredtoasLeesFerry.Since1964,withthecompletionoftheGlenCanyonDam,thisuniquetailwaterhashostedarecreationaltroutfisherythathasgrowninimportanceandreputationlocally,regionally,nationally,andinternationally.ThisblueribbonrecreationalsportfisheryhasalsobecomeafinancialandeconomicmainstayforthesmallcommunityofMarbleCanyonandCoconinoCounty,supportingfishingguideservices,hotels,restaurants,fishingandoutdoorrecreationequipmentandsupplies,and visitor services. A primary purpose of the Lees Ferry Recreational Fisheries Management Recommendations is to complement and augmenttheNationalParkService’s2014ComprehensiveFisheriesManagementPlanfortheColoradoRiverbelowGlenCanyonDam.Additionally,therecommendationsareprovidedtoinformdecisionsaboutfuturemanagementofGlenCanyonDamandtheblueribbonrainbowtroutfisheryinGlenCanyonNationalRecreationArea.Anotherkey purpose is to help shape alternatives in the Glen Canyon Dam Long Term Experimental and Management Plan Environmental Impact Statement.These recommendations are intended to:• Maintainandenhanceawild(self-sustaining)blueribbonrainbowtroutfisheryatLeesFerrythatdoesnot

adversely affect the native aquatic community in Grand Canyon National Park.• Provideadependable,high-qualityrecreationaltroutfisherythatsustainslocalbusinessesandtheeconomyof

Coconino County.

Currently,theLeesFerrytroutfisheryisecologicallyunstableduetoanimpairedaquaticfoodbaseandhighlevelsoftroutrecruitmentthatresultsinapopulationthatexceedsthecarryingcapacityoftheriver.Specificmanagementrecommendations are provided for: • EstablishingamorediverseaquaticfoodbasebyrepatriatingtheLeesFerryreachwithnativeaquatic

invertebrates.• Continuingthecurrentmodifiedlow-fluctuatingflowregimewithadjustmentstodevelopamorediverseaquatic

food base.• Conductingspringandfallhighflowexperimentstorestoremorenaturalflowregimestotheriver,enhancethe

aquaticfoodbase,andimprovetroutsurvival/recruitmentwhenneeded.• Carefullytestingtroutmanagementflowstohelpachievedesiredtroutrecruitmentandabundancetargets.• DevelopinganactionplantorespondtolowdissolvedoxygenconditionsthatarelethaltorainbowtroutinLees

Ferry.• AssessingthefeasibilityofadjustingLakePowell-LakeMeadequalizationguidelinestobettermanagetrout

survival and recruitment. • EnactingfishingregulationstoprovideforaqualityfisheryandhelpmanagetheLeesFerrytroutpopulation.• Exploringwaysfortribalmembers,localguides,andrecreationalanglerstoharvestrainbowtroutinMarble

Canyonasameansofreducingdownstreamemigrationofrainbowtrout,andenhancingrecreationaluseandemployment and business opportunities in the local community.

• RestockingrainbowtroutinLeeFerryintheeventofacatastrophiclossofthefishery.• ImplementingawatertemperaturecontroldeviceatGlenCanyonDamtomaintainawatertemperatureregime

thatwillsupportbothahealthytroutandnativefishpopulationinLeesFerryanddownriver.• IntroducingturbidityattheconfluenceofthePariaandColoradoriversasameansofcontrollingtroutpopulations

belowthePariaRiver.• EvaluatingthefeasibilityofmakingstructuralmodificationstothebypasstubesatGlenCanyonDamtoallowfor

watertemperatureregulation,mitigationoflowDOlevels,andelectricalgenerationwhenthebypasstubesareinuse.

• Conductinglong-termresourcemonitoringtosupportadaptivemanagementandtomeasureprogresstowardachieving goals and desired future condition

TheRecommendationsareconsistentwithandwillbenefitmanyotherColoradoRiverresourcevaluesbelowGlenCanyonDamincludinghumpbackchubrecovery,sandconservation,hydropowergeneration,andculturalresourceprotection.

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The Lees Ferry Trout FisheryAnglersfromaroundtheworldtraveltoLeesFerrytofishforhighqualityrainbowtroutinthelarge,clear,swift-flowingColoradoRiverasitwindsitswaythroughthelower,scenicsegmentofGlenCanyon.ThisLeesFerryrecreationalfisheryhasbecomeafinancialandeconomicmainstayforthesmallcommunityofMarbleCanyon,thecityofPagetothenorth,andCoconinoCounty.A2013statewideanglersurveyestimatedthecontributionoftheLeesFerryfisherytotheState’seconomyinexcessof$16.8million,helpingtosupport251jobsinArizona(Fedler2014).Anglerssupportlocalbusinessessuchashotels,restaurantsandotherserviceproviders,inadditiontoutilizingfishingandoutdoorrecreationequipmentsuppliersandguides.Becauseofthereliableflowsofcoldwaterrangingfrom44to60degreesF,theLeesFerry reach of the Colorado River has a proven capacity to support a remarkable troutfisheryinadesertenvironment.ThefisheryitselfhaschangedsignificantlysinceitwasfirstcreatedfollowingthecompletionoftheGlenCanyonDamin1964.Duringitsinfancy,thefisheryproducedhugerainbowtroutrangingfrom10to20pounds.Sincethenthefisheryhasgonethroughpeaksandvalleys,butthroughoutitshistoryhasprovidedsomeofthemostsought-afterdestinationtroutfishingopportunitiesintheSouthwest.

RainbowtroutaretheprimarysportfishtargetedbyanglersatLeesFerry.Byagreementwiththelandandwatermanagers,theArizonaGameandFishDepartment(AZGFD)initiatedregularstockingoftroutoftheLeesFerryreachin1964.Thesportfisherywasmaintainedthroughstockingcatchableandlaterfingerling—rainbowtroutfrom1964throughthemid-1990s.Naturalreproductionofrainbowtroutbecamemoresubstantialandself-sustainingintheearly1990swiththeestablishmentofmorestableflowsasaresultofthere-operationofGlenCanyonDam.Stockingceasedin1998whenitbecameclearthatnaturalreproductionandrecruitmentofthetroutpopulationwasmeetinganglerdemands.Afternearlytwodecadesofsuccess,anglersandthelocalcommunityatMarbleCanyonconsidertheLeesFerryrecreationalfisheryahighlyvaluedresourceonparwithothervalueswhenitcomestomaking decisions about Glen Canyon Dam operations and experiments. In2014,anglersspentmorethan10,000fishingdaysatLeesFerry(Rogowskietal.2014citationinprep).Inrecentyears,angleruseoftheLeesFerryfisheryhasdeclined,andthefisherycurrentlyfalls

Photo: George Andrejko

Land, water, and wildlife resources in the Colora-do River Corridor in Glen Canyon are managed by multiple authorities.

USBR – The US Bureau of Reclamation manages wa-ter and dam operations, in concert with Western Area Power Administration, for hydroelectric generation.

NPS – The National Park Service manages the lands and compatible uses on the land, including wildlife resources in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Grand Canyon Nation-al Park.

USFWS – The US Fish and Wildlife Service manages threatened and endangered species, including the endangered humpback chub. USFWS and AZGFD have a joint responsibility to advise USBR on the effects of wa-ter projects on all wildlife.

AZGFD –Arizona Game and Fish Department is the primary management agency for resident fish and wildlife in the State of Arizona.

AMWG – The Adaptive Management Working Group is a Federal Adviso-ry Committee formed as a result of the 1996 EIS. They advise the Secretary of the Department of Interior on matters related to the operations of Glen Canyon Dam.

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farshortofitspotentialtogenerateanglingrecreationandeconomicwellbeinginnorthernArizona.

Purpose and NeedThisreportandrecommendationsweredevelopedcollaborativelyamongrecreationalanglersbasedonthebestavailablescienceinconsultationwiththeArizonaGameandFishDepartment(AZGFD)andtheU.S.GeologicalSurvey(USGS)GrandCanyonMonitoringandResearchCenter(GCMRC).TherecommendationsareintendedtocomplementandaugmenttheNationalParkService’s(NPS)2014ComprehensiveFisheriesManagement Plan and help achieve the desired future conditions established by the Glen Canyon Dam AdaptiveManagementWorkGroup(AMWG),andapprovedbytheSecretaryoftheInterior(AppendixA).Additionally,theRecommendationsareprovidedfortheconsiderationoftheArizonaGameandFishCommission,BureauofReclamation,NPS,theUSFishandWildlifeService,WesternAreaandPowerAdministration,andDepartmentofInteriortoinformdecisionsaboutfuturemanagementofGlenCanyonDamandtheblueribbonrainbowtroutfishery.AnotherkeypurposeistohelpshapealternativesintheLongTermExperimentalandManagementPlan(LTEMP)EnvironmentalImpactStatement(EIS).TheseRecommendationswillbemodifiedperiodicallybasedonnewinformationandusedtoinformfutureColoradoRiverplanningprocessesandguidedecisionsrelatedtomanagementoftheLeesFerrytroutfisheryand operations of Glen Canyon Dam.

Goals and ObjectivesOurgoalsandobjectivesarebasedonthebestavailablescientificinformationgatheredthroughtheGlenCanyonDamAdaptiveManagementProgram(GCDAMP),theDesiredFutureConditionsthatwereadoptedbytheAMWGandtheSecretaryoftheInterior,theCFMP,andthemandateoftheGrandCanyonProtectionActtooperateGlenCanyonDamtoimprovethevaluesforwhichGlenCanyonNationalRecreationAreawasestablished.1. Maintain and enhance a wild (self-sustaining) blue ribbon1 rainbow trout fishery in Lees Ferry,

without adversely affecting the native and endangered fish community in Grand Canyon National Park.Keyobjectivesortargetsthatdefineawild(self-sustaining)blueribbonrainbowtroutrecreationalfisheryinclude:

• Asizestructureindicativeofastablerainbowtroutpopulation(onanannualbasis20-50percentofthepopulationwillbelessthan6inchesinlength).

• Ananglercatchrateofatleast1trout/hour≥ 14 inches in length.• Ananglercatchrateofatleast0.1trout/hour≥ 20 inches in length.• A robust body condition factor (Kn)foradultrainbowtroutof≥1.0inthesummer.• Adiverseaquaticfoodbasewith10%oftheabundancecomprisedofmayflies,stonefliesandcaddis

flies.

2. Provide a dependable, high-quality recreational trout fishery that sustains local businesses and the economy of Coconino County.

• Regain angler use levels ≥20,000anglerdaysperyear• Explorewaysfortribalmembers,localguides,andrecreationalanglerstoharvestrainbowtroutin

MarbleCanyonasameansofreducingdownstreamemigrationofrainbowtrout,andenhancingrecreational use and employment and business opportunities in the local community.

¹ A Blue Ribbon fisheryisadesignationthatidentifiesrecreationalfisheriesofextremelyhighquality.Blue Ribbon statusisbasedonasetofestablishedcriteriawhichtypicallyaddressesthefollowingelements:

o Water quality and quantity:Abodyofwaterthathassufficientwaterqualityandquantitytosustainaviablefishery.o Water accessibility:Thewaterisaccessibletothepublic.o Natural reproduction capacity:Thebodyofwaterpossessesanaturalcapacitytoproduceandmaintaina

sustainablerecreationalfishery.Theremustbemanagementstrategiesthatwillconsistentlyproducefishofsignificantsizeand/ornumberstoprovideaqualityanglingexperience.

o Angling pressure:Thewatermustbeabletowithstandanglingpressure.ArizonaGameandFishDepartmentiscurrentlydevelopingaspecificdefinitionforArizona.

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Recommended Actions to Meet Management Goals and ObjectivesAquatic Food Base Enhancement through Experimental Repatriation and “Bug Flows” ThecurrentaquaticfoodbaseinLeesFerryisinsufficienttosustainaqualitytroutfishery,beingcomposedoffewvarietiesofinvertebrates,allofwhicharesmallinsize.Theabundanceandsizecompositionoftheavailablefooditemsfortrout,whenviewedinthecontextofanatomicalrealitiesofhowtroutcollecttheirfood,limitstheirabilitytogrowtopreferredsizes(MikeDodrill,USGS2015,annualreportingmeeting).Theavailabilityofenergy-richfooditemsintherightsizeassortmentsinfluencestheabilityoftrouttogrowbothinlengthandin

girth(condition).Ephemeroptera,Plecoptera,Tricoptera(EPT)arethreeordersofaquatic insects commonly referred toasmayflies,stonefliesandcaddisflies.TheEPTIndexisawidelyaccepted measure of stream quality based upon the abundance of these aquaticinsects,premisedonthe

understanding that the most productive and resilient aquatic ecosystems have thehighestdiversityofspeciesinthesethreeorders(LenatandPenrose,1996).TheEPTindexisparticularlywellsuitedforevaluatingtheaquaticfoodbaseofprimarilyinsectivorousfisheslikerainbowtroutandhumpbackchub.AssemblagesofEPT,whicharepresentineveryothertailwaterfisheryinthewestandarefoundupstreamofLakePowellandintributariesintheGrandCanyon,aretotallyabsentbelowtheGlenCanyonDam.AstudyisincludedinGCDAMPFY2015-2017TriennialBudgetandWorkPlantotestwhetherdailyfluctuatingreleasesmaybeinfluencingtheavailabilityandabundanceofEPTintheColoradoRiverbelowGlenCanyonDam(USGSandBOR2014).Westrongsupportthisstudyincludingthetestingofthesocalled“bugflows”asameansforestablishingahealthyandrobustEPTpopulation(USGSandBOR2014).Recommendedexperimental“bugflows”involvestableflowseveryweekendfromMaythroughAugust.Thedischargeonweekendswouldbe the minimum discharge for that month to ensure that the insect eggs laid duringweekendswouldnotbesubjectedtodryingduetolowerwaterlevelsatanypointpriortolarvaldevelopment.Nochangeinmonthlyvolumes,rampingrates,orthedailyrangeindischargeduringweekdayswouldberequiredaspartofthisexperiment.Tooffsetthesmallerwaterreleasesthatwouldoccurduringweekendswithinagivenmonth,largerreleaseswouldneedtooccurduringtheweekdayswithinagivenmonth.ConsistentwithNationalParkServicepolicythattherecoveryandrestorationofextirpatedspeciesisadesiredgoal,wealsostronglyrecommend the translocation of historic EPT species from other parts of the Colorado River drainage into the Lees Ferry reach coincidental withtheexperimentalflowsdiscussedabove.Aseriesofexperimentaltranslocationstorepatriatethesenativespeciesshouldbeinitiated,followedbymonitoringandevaluationofsuccessandsustainability.

Key Federal Laws and the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program

Glen Canyon Dam was constructed pursuant to the Colorado River Storage Project Act of 1956 (CRSPA) which provided for the reclamation of arid and semiarid land, the control of floods and the generation of hydroelectric power. Modification of Colorado River flows due to the construction and operation of Glen Canyon Dam has impacted fish, wildlife and their habitats through reduction or elimination of overbank flooding, channelization, water depletions and water quality. Mitigation for these impacts is authorized through CRSPA.

The Grand Canyon Protection Act (GCPA) of 1992 directed the Secretary of the Interior to operate Glen Canyon Dam and exercise other authorities “in such a manner as to protect, mitigate adverse impacts to, and improve the values for which Grand Canyon National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area were established including, but not limited to, natural and cultural resources and visitor use.” The GCPA also specifies that it should be implemented consistent with various laws that govern water allocation and development in the Colorado River.

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 prohibits Federal agencies from taking actions that are likely to jeopardize the continued existence of threatened and endangered species. The impacts of GCD operations on the endangered humpback chub is a significant consideration.

The Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program (GCDAMP) was established in 1997, under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, in compliance with the GCPA and the 1996 Record of Decision. The GCDAMP provides for adapting the dam’s operations to facilitate management actions, scientific research, and monitoring consistent with the purposes for which the dam was constructed.

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Dam OperationsIngeneral,werecommendacontinuationofthecurrentModifiedLowFluctuatingFlow(MLFF)regime.TheMLFFregimeprovidesrelativelylowdailyfluctuationsthatareadjustedmonthlybasedonwateravailability,electricalenergydemandsandwaterdeliveryrequirementstoLakeMead.However,somemodificationoftheMLFFregimeisneededtodeterminewhetheramoresteadyflowregimewillpromotetheestablishmentofamorediverseandstableaquaticfoodbase(seeabove).

Minimum FlowsAsageneralrule,theminimumreleasefromGlenCanyonDamshouldbe8,000cfsotherthanforexceptionaleventswhentheminimumcouldbereducedby1000cfsforshortperiodsoftimeduringnighttime.ExceptionaleventsincludepreandpostHighFlowExperimentsoryearswhenreleasesfromLakePowellaresignificantlylowerthannormal.Weareconcernedthatlowerwaterreleasesincombinationwithdailyfluctuationswillresultinreducednearshorehabitatswhichareimportantforsurvivalofyoungofyearfishandaquaticinvertebrates.Lowflowsalsocreatenavigationproblemsandsafetyconcernsforboatersandfishermen.Ongoingstudiestoestablishamoresciencebasedminimumflowshouldbecontinued.

Fall and Spring High Flow Experiments (HFEs) HighflowExperiments(HFEs)arecontrolledwaterreleasesfromGlenCanyonDamthataredesignedtomimicnaturalpre-damseasonalflooding.Theprimaryobjectiveofthesereleasesistorebuildsandbarsthatprovidehabitatfornativeplantsandanimals,rebuildcampingbeachesforriverrunners,andprovideasourceoffinesedimentsthatprotectarchaeologicalsitesfromweatheringanderosion.The2008springhighflowenhancedrecruitmentandsurvivalofyoungrainbowtrout,andenhancedtheaquaticfoodbase(Kormanetal.2011;KennedyandRalston2011).Becauseofconcernsaboutrainbowtroutimpactsontheendangeredhumpbackchub,recentHFEshavebeenrestrictedtothefalltohelpmanagerainbowtroutrecruitmentandsurvival.Ingeneral,wesupportimplementationoffallhighflowsconsistentwiththe2012EnvironmentalAssessment(USBR,2012)andaspartofanexperimentaldesigntofurtherevaluatetroutresponseinbothLeesFerryandMarbleCanyon,aswellasfoodbaseandotherresources.However,webelievethatadditionalspringHFE’sareneededtoassessthefoodbaseandtroutresponsethatwasobservedin2008.WealsorecommendthatmoreemphasisbeplacedonconductingHFE’sinthespringasamanagementoptionforusewhentherehasbeenasignificantdeclineinthetroutpopulationand/ordropinfoodproduction.Webelievethatspringhighflowswillprovideotherresourcebenefitssuchashelpingtocontrolnonnativemudsnailsandbuildcamping

beaches in Marble and Grand canyons immediately before thepeakraftingseason.SpringHFE’swillalsoprovideasourceoffinesedimentjustpriortothewindyseasonintheGrandCanyonthatwillhelpprotectarcheologicalsitesfromweatheringanderosion.Finally,springfloods,whichhistoricallyoccurredonaregularbasisintheGrandCanyon,willhelpre-establishnaturalecologicalprocessesintheColoradoRiverbelowGlenCanyonDamTriggersforspringhighflowsshouldbeidentifiedbasedontroutrecruitment,andadulttroutpopulationandaquaticfoodproduction,inadditiontodownriversedimentconservation needs. A spring HFE could be used in lieu of orinconjunctionwithtroutstockingwhenthetroutfisheryhasexperiencedasignificantdecline.

Experimental Trout Management Flows Undercertainconditions,rainbowtroutatLeesFerryhavereproducedprolifically.Historically,whenthereisanover-abundanceofyoung-of-yearrainbowtrout,thequalityandconditionofrainbowtroutdecline.ThisislikelyduetothelowqualityandlowabundanceoffoodsourcesinLeesFerry.TroutManagementFlows(TMFs)areflowtreatmentsthatarehypothesizedtoreducetheabundanceofyoung-of-yeartroutbystranding

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troutshortlyaftertheyemergefromtheirredds(Korman,EcometricResearch,Inc.,personalcommunications,2015).WebelievethebestlongtermandecologicallyappropriatesolutiontocontrollingtroutdensitiesistoincreaseinvertebratediversityandmanageGrandCanyonDamflowstoavoidexcessivetroutspawningandrecruitment(seerecommendationsrelatedtotheaquaticfoodbaseandequalizationflows).Weareconcernedabout the collateral damage that TMFs could have on other resources especially the aquatic food base andnativefish.TMFsmaybeespeciallyusefulwhenspringHFE’sareimplementedorinyearswhenhighequalizationflowsarerequired.TMF’sshouldonlybeimplementedinacarefullydesignedexperimentalframeworkthatincludesquantifiedcriteriaforsuccess(formanagingtroutrecruitmentandimprovingthehumpbackchubpopulation)andtheimpactstootherresources,especiallytheaquaticfoodbase,arefullyassessed.TMF’sshouldonlybeusedwhentherainbowtroutpopulationisstableandincludesahealthyabundanceofallsizeclassesofrainbowtrout. Mitigation measures such as emergency stocking of trout need to be in place prior to the implementation ofTMFsincaseofcatastrophiclosstothefishery(seerecommendationsonTroutStocking).Inconclusion,theexperimentalevaluationofTMFsneedstorecognizethetroutfisheryasahighlyvaluedasset.TheAZGFDshouldhaveaseatatthetablealongwithFederalagenciesonanydiscussionanddecisionsrelatedtoimplementation of TMFs.

Equalization FlowsTheimpactofsustainedperiodsofhighflowsthataredesignedtoequalizewaterstorageinLakePowellandLakeMeadcanresultinundesirablyhightroutrecruitmentintheLeesFerryreach.Forexample,thehighequalizationflowsin2011arecorrelatedwithalargerecruitmentoftroutthatcannotbesustainedundernormalreleasevolumes.WhileoutsidethescopeofthecurrentLTEMPEIS,webelievethatthecurrentequalizationguidelinesshouldberevisitedtoprovidegreaterflexibilityinmeetingannualdeliveryrequirementsfromLakePowelltoLakeMead.Forexample,greaterflexibilityinmakingwaterdeliveriesoutsideofthewateryearwouldincreasetheflexibilitytomanageGlenCanyonDamreleasesconsistentwiththedesiredfutureconditionsforsandconservationandtheLeesFerryrainbowtroutfishery.

Fishing RegulationsHistorically,harvestregulationsweretheonlytoolsavailableformanagingtheLeesFerrytroutpopulation. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission should adjust harvest regulations as needed toachievethedesiredqualityandnumbersoffishintheLeesFerrytroutpopulation.Considerationshouldbegiventoencouragingthepublictoharvesttroutespeciallywhentherainbowtroutpopulation has exceeded the carrying capacity of the river. Public education and outreach campaigns willbenecessarytoencourageanglerstoembracenewharvestregulationsandtroutpopulationmanagement goals.

Marble Canyon Trout FisheryRainbowtroutnumbersdownstreamofLeesFerryinMarbleCanyoncanattimesapproachorevenexceedthose in the Lees Ferry reach. The CFMP provides for using angling to remove trout in Marble Canyon as ameanofreducingcompetitionbetweenrainbowtroutandnativewarmwaterfish.TheMarbleCanyontroutpopulationalsoprovidesanopportunitytouseapresentlyunderutilizedrecreationalfishingresourcetogrowlocalbusinessesandemployment.WerecommendthattheNPSandtheAZGFDexplorewaysfortribalmembers,localguides,andrecreationalanglerstoharvestrainbowtroutinMarbleCanyonasameansofreducingdownstreamemigrationofrainbowtrout,andenhancingrecreationaluseandemploymentandbusiness opportunities in the local community.

Riparian Vegetation RestorationRestorationofriparianvegetationintheLeesFerryreachshouldbeahighpriorityoftheNPS.Inaddition,thefeasibilityofusingdeadtamariskasfishhabitattoimproveaquaticproductivityintheLeesFerryreachshouldbe investigated. Riparian vegetation plays an important role in supporting terrestrial insect abundance (trout foodsource),andprovidingoverhangingshadeandcoverforfish.

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Stocking in the Event of a Catastrophic Fishery FailureSequentialannuallossesofyoung-of-yearrecruitstothepopulationwouldhavesevereconsequencesonfuturecatchrates,anglersatisfaction,andthelocaleconomy.Torespondtothispossibility,theCFMPincludestheprovisiontostocksterilerainbowtroutintheeventofasignificantdeclineintroutabundanceandfishermencatchratesoveraperiodofseveralyears.However,asdiscussedbelow,thereisalsothepossibilityofacatastrophicfailureofthefisheryresultingfromlowdissolvedoxygenlevelsorhighwatertemperatures.Intheseevents,stockingshouldbeutilizedtorestorethetroutfisheryassoonasthefactorsthatcausedthecatastrophicfailurehavebeenidentifiedandameliorated.GiventhatthegoaloftheseRecommendationsistomaintainawild,self-sustainingtroutfishery,werecommendthatrestockingshouldoccurusingtheprogenyofwildtroutcurrentlyfoundintheColoradoRiverbelowGlenCanyonDam.WebelievethatwildtroutcurrentlyfoundinLeeFerryarewelladaptedtosurviveandprovideaqualityfisheryconsistentwiththeBlueRibbonstandard.Asufficientnumberofwildtroutshouldbecollectedforuseasbroodstockifitappearsthatacollapseofthefisheryisimminent.Ifthisisnotfeasible,werecommendsecuringahighqualitystrainofrainbowtroutfromreputablecommercialandgovernmentalsources.Additionallywhenstockingisdeemedappropriate,managementagenciesshouldconsidertranslocationofwildrainbowtroutfromdownstreamofthePariaRivertosupplementthetroutpopulationwithintheLeesFerryreach.TranslocationcouldhelpachievemultiplegoalsbyenhancingLeesFerrysportfishopportunitiesandreducingdownrivermigrationoftrout.AcontingencystockingplanshouldbedevelopedandmadereadybyAZGFDwithnecessaryenvironmentalcompliancesothatanimmediateresponsetostockingtriggersorcatastrophicfailureofthetroutfisherycanbeimplemented in a timely manner.

Low Dissolved Oxygen Response Protocol TheavailabilityofoxygeninthewaterreleasedfromthedamisdirectlyinfluencedbytheoxygenprofileofLakePowell.Thatprofileisaffectedbycomplexprocesses,includingcoldrunoffinputeventsrichinorganicmaterialsthatoccurfarupstreamofthedam,whichcancreatemid-depthsagsinoxygenlevels.Poorlyoxygenatedwater,ifdischargedthroughthedam,canseverelystressfishinthetailwater,resultinginreducedgrowthandevenmassmortality.FishkillsintheLeeFerryreachhavebeendocumentedin2005duetothelowdissolvedoxygen(DO)levels.In2014,dissolvedoxygenlevelsdangerouslyapproachedthelethallimitfortrout.Thecombinedeffectoflowdissolvedoxygen,highwatertemperatures,andlowfoodproductionposeadirectandimmediatehazardtorainbowtroutandotherfishspeciesinLeesFerry.USBRandGCMRCshouldcloselymonitorDOlevelsinLakePowellandintheColoradoRiverandprovidealertswhenDOlevelsareexpectedtoapproachdangerouslevelsbelowGlenCanyonDam.USBRshouldimmediatelydevelopanactionplantoreduceoravoidthepotentialeffectstoaquaticresourceswhentheseconditionsemerge.Inaddition,dissolvedoxygenlevels should be made publically available at Glen Canyon Dam in addition to at the Lees Ferry gage.

Temperature Control Device Watertemperaturesareaprimarydriverforthewell-beingandhealthofnativeandnon-nativefishcommunitiesinGlen,MarbleandGrandCanyon,yetcurrentlythereisnocapabilitytoaffectreleasetemperaturesfromGlenCanyonDam.TherecentlycompletedUSBRWaterSupplyandDemandStudyfortheColoradoRiverBasinsuggeststhatLakePowellelevationswilllikelydecreaseinthefutureasaresultofincreasedwaterdemands,drought,andclimatechange.LowerLakePowellelevationswillleadtowarmerwaterreleasefromGlenCanyonDam,whichcouldleadtoinvasionsofwarmwaterfishesandotherinvasivespecies into the Marble and Grand canyons. There is clear evidence from the upper Colorado River basin that suchaninvasionwouldhaveadevastatingimpactonhumpbackchubandothernativefishesintheColoradoRiverbelowGlenCanyonDam(TyusandSaunders2000).TheBureauofReclamation(USBR)shouldimmediatelymoveforwardwithimplementingaTemperatureControlDevicethathasthecapacitytoreleasebothcoldandwarmwaterfromthedamasrecommendedbytheGCDAMPScienceAdvisors(Gundersonetal.2003)andreaffirmedina2008expertpanelreview(GCMRC,2008).

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Bypass Tube Electrical GenerationUSBRshouldalsoconsidermakingstructuralmodificationstotheoutletworksatGlenCanyonDamtoallowforthegenerationofelectricitywhenthebypasstubesareinuseforHFEsortoaddresswaterquality(lowdissolvedoxygenandhighwatertemperature)emergenciesintheLeesFerryreach.HavingtheabilitytoreleasewaterbelowthecurrentpenstockmaybetheonlywaytocooltheriverwhenwarmreleasesoccurandinstantlymitigatelowDOreleasesfromthedam.Thisstrategycouldalsomitigateforlossinpowerrevenueduringtimesofemergencyresponseorduring their utilization for HFEs.

Introduce TurbidityItiswellestablishedthatrainbowtroutsignificantlyreducefeedingactivitywhenwaterclarityislow.Rungeetal(2011)identifiedthestrategyofa“turbiditycurtain”(providinginputsoffinesedimentbelowthePariaRiver)asthehighestprioritymitigationoptionforcontrollingrainbowtroutinMarbleCanyon.IntroducingturbidityintotheColoradoRiverbelowthePariaRiverwouldminimizetheneedformechanicalremovalnearthe Little Colorado River. We recommend investigating the possibility ofreducingwaterclaritybelowthePariaRiverbyartificiallysuspendingsediment in that drainage and increasing turbidity in the main stem.

Monitoring and Measurement of Management TriggersLong-term resource monitoring is the key to effective adaptive management (Walters and Holling 1990).AZGFDhasbeenconductingstandardizedelectrofishingsurveysoftheLeesFerryfishpopulationsince1991.Electrofishingsurveyscurrentlyoccurinspring,summerandfallandprovidevaluableinformationonrelativeabundance,populationstructure,recruitment,andconditionoftheentirefishcommunityinLeesFerry.Inaddition,AZGFDhasbeenconductingacreelsurveysince1964thathasprovidedvaluableinformationthatiscurrentlyusedtoaddressmanyoftheconcernsoftheanglingcommunity,particularlyasitrelatestoanglercatch,anglersatisfaction,harvestrates,andtheeconomicimpactsofthefishery.TheGCMRChasanestablishedwaterfoodbasemonitoringprogramfortheLeesFerryreach(Carlisleetal2012).ItisimportanttocontinuealltheseprogramsandtoprovidetimelyreportingoffindingsandconditionsrelatedtotheLee’sFerryfishery.Additionallyasurveillanceplanforotheraquaticinvasivespecies(e.g.,quaggamuscles,crayfish,andwhirlingdisease)thatmayharmthefisheryshouldbefullydeveloped.Theexistingmonitoringprogramshavetheabilitytodetectinvasivespecies,butneedtobeexpandedandcoordinatedtoimproveearlydetectionandtoreportfindingsrapidlyand consistently.Inaddition,flows,temperature,dissolvedoxygen,andnutrientlevelsshouldcontinuetobemonitoredbelowGlenCanyonDam.ConditionsinLakePowellthatmaypotentiallyleadtoreleasesoflowDOshouldbemonitoredand reported in a timely fashion. Channel geomorphology (mapping)andriparianhabitatintheLeesFerryreachshould be monitored on a periodic basis.We recommend that Lees Ferry monitoring programs and proposed management actions should be a major focus oftheProtocolEvaluationPanel(PEP)reviewoftheGCDAMPfisheryprograminlate2015orearly2016.ThePanel should be requested to provide recommendations on:

Photo: Arizona Game and Fish Department

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1. Approachestoidentifytherootcause(s)oftheunstabletroutpopulationsinLeesFerry;2. The highest priority actions to stabilize and enhance the quality of the aquatic food base and the Lees

Ferrytroutfishery;3. TheappropriatemetricstotriggerTMF’s,stocking,andothermanagementactions;4. Themostappropriatemethodsandlevelofefforttoeffectivelymonitorprogresstowardsachievingthe

goalsoutlinedinthisreport;5. Importantdatagapsthatneedtobefilledanduncertaintiesthatneedtoberesolved;and6. The need to develop a Stock Assessment Model to:

a. measureprogresstowardsreachingthegoalscontainedinthisreport,b. determinethesuitabilityofthemetricsidentifiedinthereport,andc. evaluatetheeffectivenessofincreasingharvestasatoolformanagingthetroutfishery.

Asynthesisofavailablefish,foodbase,flow,andwaterqualitydatafortheperiodof2003-2014shouldprecedethePEPreview.Thisperiodincludeswarmingwatertemperature,springandfallHFEs,winterTMF’s,periodsoflowDO,equalizationflows,andseveralsteadyflowtests.TofacilitateaproductivePEPreview,werecommendthatatechnicalworkshopshouldbeheldpriortothePEPreviewtosummarizetheavailabledataforthepanel.

Summary and ConclusionsCurrently,theLeesFerrytroutfisheryisecologicallyunstabledue to an impaired aquatic food base and high levels of trout recruitment that results in a population that exceeds the carrying capacity of the river. The food base in the Colorado RiverbelowGlenCanyonDamconsistsofonlyafewvarietiesofinvertebrates.Assemblagesofnativemayflies,caddisfliesandstoneflieswhicharepresentineveryothertailwaterfisheryinthewestandarefoundupstreamofLakePowellandintributariesintheGrandCanyonaretotallyabsentbelowthe dam. Our highest priority recommendation is to pursue establishment of a more diverse aquatic food base by testing alternativeflowregimesinconjunctionwithrepatriatingtheLeesFerryReachwithnativeaquaticinvertebratesincludingmay-caddis-,andstone-flies.Wealsorecognizethatoverrecruitmentofyoungrainbowtroutisamajorfactorthatcontributestotheinstabilityofthefishery.WebelievethebestlongtermandmostecologicallyappropriatesolutiontocontrollingtroutdensitiesistoincreaseinvertebratediversityandmanageGlenCanyonDamflowstoavoidexcessivetroutspawningandrecruitment(e.g.,adjustingLakePowell-LakeMeadequalizationguidelinestoavoidunsustainabletroutrecruitment).However,undercertainsituations,troutmanagementflows(TMFs)maybeausefultooltohelpachievedesiredtroutrecruitmentandabundancetargets,especiallywhenspringHFE’sareimplementedorhighequalizationflowsarerequired.TMFsareuntestedandweareconcernedaboutcollateraldamagetootherresourcesespeciallytheaquaticfoodbasewhichcouldfurtherdestabilizeandimpactthequalityofthetroutfishery.Assuch,theexperimentalevaluationofTMFsneedstorecognizethetroutfisheryasahighlyvaluedassetandshouldbeusedonlywhenrecommendedcriteriaaremetandmeasurablecriteriaforsuccesshavebeenidentified.WebelievethebiggestlongtermthreattothetroutfisheryandthenativeColoradoRiverfishesisincreasedwatertemperatureassociatedwithalowerLakePowell.TheColoradoRiverBasinisinthemidstofa10yeardroughtandclimatestudiessuggestsignificantlyreducedwatersuppliesinthefuture.OneoftheconsequenceswillbethewatertemperaturesbelowGlenCanyonDamwillturnmuchwarmerwhichwillhavecatastrophicconsequencesfortheLeesFerrytroutfisheryandnativefishdownriver.WerecommendimplementingawatertemperaturecontroldeviceatGlenCanyonDamtomaintainwatertemperatureregimesthatwillsupportahealthytroutandnativefishpopulationinLeesFerryanddownriver.

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Wearealsoconcernedaboutlowdissolvedoxygen(DO)levelsinthewaterreleasesfromGlenCanyonDam.TheavailabilityofoxygeninthewaterreleasedfromthedamisdirectlyinfluencedbytheoxygenprofileofLakePowell.Poorlyoxygenatedwater,ifdischargedthroughthedam,canseverelystressfishinthetailwater,resultinginreducedgrowthandevenmassmortality.AnactionplanshouldbedevelopedbytheBureauofReclamationtoreduceoravoidthepotentialeffectstoaquaticresourceswhen/iflowDOconditionsemerge.WefurtherrecommendanevaluationofthefeasibilityofmakingstructuralmodificationstothebypasstubesatGlenCanyonDamtoallowforwatertemperatureregulation,mitigationoflowDOlevels,andelectricalgenerationwhenthebypasstubesareinuse.

TheserecommendationsweredevelopedinfullconsiderationofothernaturalandculturalresourcesintheColoradoRiverbelowGlenCanyonDam.WebelievethatahealthyblueribbontroutfisheryiscompatiblewithhealthynativefishpopulationsdownstreamandthattherecommendationsinthisreportwillbenefitnativefishandmanyotherColoradoRiverresourcevaluesbelowGlenCanyonDam,including:• Amorediverseaquaticfoodbasewillbenefitthenativefishcommunity(includinghumpbackchub)and

riparianspeciesthroughoutGlen,MarbleandGrandcanyons.• SpringandfallHFE’sandadjustmentstoLakePowell-LakeMeadequalizationguidelineswillbenefitsand

conservation,beachbuilding,andarchaeologicalsiteprotection.• TroutmanagementflowsandaTCDwillbenefitthenativefishcommunityandhumpbackchubrecovery.• AcontinuationoftheMLFFregimewillbenefithydropowerproduction.Thenativefishcommunity,including

thehumpbackchub,havealsodonewellundertheMLFFregime.• Providingforelectricalgenerationonthebypasstubeswillbenefithydropowerproduction.• ProactivemanagementoftheLeesFerrytroutfisherywillreducedownstreamtroutmigration,avoid

massivetroutdie-offs,andminimizetheneedforusinglethalmeanstocontroltroutpopulationsneartheLittle Colorado River.

ThevoiceofLeesFerryanglers,guides,andbusinessesarefullyunitedintheirsupportoftheseRecommendations.OursincerehopeandexpectationisthattheRecommendationswillbegivenfullconsiderationbytheGCDAMP,andtheFederalandStateagenciesresponsibleformanagingtheColoradoRiverresourcesbelowGlenCanyonDam.

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Literature Cited

Bradford,M.,Bevelhimer,M.,Hansen,M.,Mueller,G.,Osmundson,D.,Rice,J.,&Winkelman,D.(2009).Report of the 2009 Protocol Evaluation Panel for Fish Monitoring Programs of the Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center.

Carlisle,D.,Gutreuter,S.,Holdren,G.C.,Roberts,B.,&Robinson,C.(2012).FinalReportoftheAquaticFoodBase Study and Protocol Evaluation Panel.

Fedler,A.J.2014.2013EconomicImpactofFishinginArizona.TechnicalReportfortheArizonaGameandFishDepartment,pp.14.

GrandCanyonMonitoringandResearchCenter,2008,USGSworkshoponscientificaspectsofalong-termexperimentalplanforGlenCanyonDam,April10–11,2007,Flagstaff,Arizona:U.S.GeologicalSurveyOpen-FileReport2008–1153,79p.

Gunderson,L.,Howard,A.,Hulse,D.,Kitchell,J.,Loomis,J.,Palmer,M.,,.m&Schwartz,U.D.(2003).Evaluating A Glen Canyon Dam Temperature Control Device To Enhance Native Fish Habitat In The Colorado River: A Risk Assessment By Adaptive Management Program Science Advisors.

KennedyTA,RalstonBE.2011.Biologicalresponsestohigh-flowexperimentsfromGlenCanyonDam.In:EffectsofThreeHigh-FlowExperimentsontheColoradoRiverEcosystemDownstream.From:GlenCanyonDam,Arizona,MelisTS(ed).USGeologicalSurveyCircular:2011-1366:Reston,VA;93–125.

Korman,J.,M.Kaplinski,andT.S.Melis.2011.Effectsoffluctuatingflowsandacontrolledfloodonincubationsuccessandearlysurvivalratesandgrowthofage-0rainbowtroutinalargeregulatedriver.TransactionsoftheAmericanFisheriesSociety140:487–505.

Lenat,D.R.,andPenrose.D.L..1996.HistoryoftheEPTtaxarichnessmetric:BulletinoftheNorthAmericanBenthologicalSociety,v.13,no.2,p.305-307.

McKinney,T.andW.R.Persons.1998.Lee’sFerryrainbowtroutfishery--anecologicalsynthesis.FinalReporttoGrandCanyonMonitoringandResearchCenter.ArizonaGameandFishDepartment,Phoenix.

RogowskiD.L.,L.K.Winters,P.N.Wolters,andK.M.Manuell.2014.StatusoftheLeesFerrytroutfishery.2014AnnualReportpreparedbytheArizonaGame&FishDepartment,ResearchDivision,fortheGrandCanyonMonitoringandResearchCenter,Flagstaff,Arizona.ArizonaGame&FishDepartment,Phoenix.

Runge,M.C.,Bean,Ellen,Smith,D.R.,andKokos,Sonja,2011,Non-nativefishcontrolbelowGlenCanyonDam—Reportfromastructureddecision-makingproject:U.S.GeologicalSurveyOpen-FileReport2011–1012,74p.

Tyus,H.M.,andJ.F.Saunders,III.2000.Nonnativefishcontrolandendangeredfishrecovery:lessonsfromtheColoradoRiver.Fisheries25(9):17–24.

USGSandBOR.2014.GlenCanyonDamAdaptiveManagementProgramTriennialBudgetandWorkPlan-FiscalYears2015–2017,pp.537.

USBR.2012.EnvironmentalAssessmentforDevelopmentandImplementationofaProtocolforHigh-FlowExperimentalReleasesfromGlenCanyonDam,Arizonathrough2020,USBRSaltLakeCity,UT.

Walters,C.J.,andC.S.Holling.1990.Large-scalemanagementexperimentsandlearningbydoing.Ecology71:2060–2068.

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APPENDIX A - Goals and Desired Conditions for the Lees Ferry Trout Fishery.

NPS Desired Conditions for the Lees Ferry Trout Fishery

¾ Opportunities for anglers to have a memorable experience. ¾ Habitatthatsupportsarainbowtroutpopulationwithasizestructureindicativeofastablepopulation.

NPS Goals for the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam

¾ Maintainahighlyvaluedrecreationalrainbowtroutfisherywithminimalemigrationofrainbowtroutdownstream toGrandCanyonNationalPark,

¾ Restoreandmaintainhealthy,self-sustainingnativefishcommunities,nativefishhabitat,andtheimportantecologicalroleofnativefishtotheextentpossible,

¾ Fostermeaningful tribal relationsand integrate tribalknowledgeandperspectives intoparkmanagementdecisionsandpractices,and

¾ Preventfurtherintroductionsofnon-native(exotic)aquaticspecies.

GCD Adaptive Management Program Desired Future Conditions for the Lees Ferry Trout Fishery

¾ Establishahigh-qualitysustainablerecreationaltroutfisheryintherivercorridorinGCNRA,whileminimizingemigrationofnon-nativefishes.

¾ OperateGlenCanyonDam(GCD) toachieve thegreatestbenefit to the troutfishery inGCNRAwithoutcausing excessive detriment to other resources.

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Our Supporters

Thefollowingorganizations,businesses,andLeesFerryfishingguidessupporttheseRecommendationsandencourage their full implementation.

Angler Organizations• AnglersUnited• Arizona Bass Nation • Arizona Fly Casters • Arizona Outdoor Sports • Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife Conservation • Arizona Wildlife Federation• Coconino Sportsmen • Desert Fly Casters• International Federation of Fly Fishers• Northern Arizona Fly Casters• Payson Fly Casters Club• San Pedro Fly Casters

• Sun City Grand Hooked on Fly Fishing Club• The Bass Federation• Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership• TroutUnlimited

o Arizona State Councilo Gila Trout Chaptero Grand Canyon Chaptero OldPuebloTroutUnlimitedChaptero ZaneGreyTroutUnlimitedChapter

• White Mountain Fly Fishing Club• White Mountain Lakes Foundation

Lees Ferry Fishing GuidesTerry GunnJeffEnglishSkip DixonNatalieJensen

Tyson WarrenKevin CampbellTJCarringtonJimmyDaniels

Mick LovetteDale Gauthier

Businesses• Orvis Company• Lees Ferry Anglers • CliffDwellersLodge

• Lees Ferry Lodge atVermillionCliffs

• MarbleCanyonOutfitters

Other Organizations• Arizona Antelope Foundation• ArizonaBigGameSuperRaffle• Arizona Big Horn Sheep Society• Arizona Houndsmen• ArizonaMountainOutfitters• AudubonWesternRiversActionNetwork• Extreme Predator Callers• Mohave Sportsmen’s Club • Outdoor Experiences for All• Safari Club International Arizona Chapter• SRT Outdoors • South Eastern Arizona Sportsmen’s Club• 123 Go Water Safety

Get involved today!

ThisisanimportanttimefortheLeesFerrytroutfishery.Currently,theBureauofReclamation,whichmanagesGlenCanyonDam,andtheNationalParkService,whichmanagesthelandsintheColoradoRivercorridor,arepreparingaLongTermExperimentalandManagementPlanEISthatwilldetermineGlenCanyonDamoperationsandriverrestorationactionsfornext15-20years.Overthenextyear,thecoalitionofLeesFerryanglers,sportsmen/conservationorganizations,andbusinesseswillbeworkingtoincorporatetheRecommendations into the EIS.

YOURsupportisneeded.SignuptoreceiveEISupdatesathttp://ltempeis.anl.gov/.LetyourelectedofficialknowthattheLeesFerrytroutfisheryisimportanttoyouandencouragetheirsupportfortheseRecommendations.

For more information contact:John Hamill, Arizona Field RepresentativeTheodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnershipjhamill@trcp.orgJohn Jordan,RecreationalFishingRepresentative,GlenCanyonDamAdaptiveManagementProgramTroutUnlimited/InternationalFederationofFlyFishersjcjordan1@cox.net

ForthelatestnewsonLeesFerryandtheLTEMPEISgoto:www.az-tu.org