On the Uncompahgre Plateau, conservation populations of Colorado River cutthroat trout (CRCT) (Oncorhynchus clarki pleuritcus) reside only within certain tributaries of the East Fork of Dry Fork Creek.  Several other streams within the Uncompahgre Plateau that contain cutthroat trout populations that have not been designated as conservation populations include tributary streams of Dominguez, Escalante, Roubideau, Dry, Spring, Tabeguache and Horsefly creeks.  Though CRCT recovery sites have not been formally identified on the Uncompahgre Plateau, these streams represent some of the better opportunities for successful translocation of CRCT.   The presence of nonnative trout has likely influenced the distribution, abundance and/or genetic purity in nearly every fish-bearing stream on the Uncompahgre Plateau.

Severe drought conditions can have significant impacts to localized populations, potentially causing populations of CRCT and other trout species to become locally extinct in headwater areas.  Many small streams may have natural or man-made barriers to fish migration, which could limit the ability of trout to re-colonize headwater streams.  Local water depletions could magnify this problem when key flows needed for dispersal are removed from the hydrograph for domestic or agricultural use.  However, water developments such as stock ponds and impoundments and water conveyance systems have likely benefited many amphibian species by providing additional sources of perennial water needed during low flow conditions.

Impacts from poor road design to salmonid species have been well documented in the Pacific Northwest (Furniss et al 1991).  Primary factors that can potentially affect fish habitat are surface erosion and increased runoff during storm events.  Sediment delivery to a number of streams has been observed on many native surface roads and at stream crossings throughout the Uncompahgre Plateau.  Excessive sediment loads can impact the survival of fish following spawning activities and affect macro-invertebrate densities that are the primary food sources for trout species.  Areas where the stream is adjacent to the road have the greatest risk of impacting fish habitat and causing downstream impacts.

Source: Craig Grother, Wildlife Biologist
Norwood and Ouray Ranger Districts
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, Gunnison NF