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The Bureau of Reclamation's Yuma Area Office recently
partnered with the Yuma Crossing State Historic Park,
Imperial National Wildlife Refuge, and the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service's Fishery Resources Office in Parker,
Ariz., to introduce the public in the Yuma area to three
endangered fish species found in the lower Colorado
River.
These fish — the bonytail chub, Arizona razorback
sucker, and Desert Pupfish — are on display in aquariums
at the Yuma Crossing State Historic Park, located at 201
N. 4th Avenue, Yuma, Ariz. Interactive display panels
near the aquariums also offer details about the fishes'
origins and history in the lower Colorado River Basin.
These fish were once common in this region, but with
the changing nature of the river — due to the impact of
large dams, introduced sport fishes, and other
developments — their populations have significantly
declined.
Today, they're protected by Federal law and are the
focus of a multi-agency effort to sustain and expand
their dwindling populations.
If anyone catches one of these fishes while
recreational fishing, you are asked to immediately place
it back in the river.
For more information about this display, contact the
Yuma Crossing State Historic Park at (928) 329-0471.
Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier
and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power
in the United States, with operations and facilities in
the 17 western states. Its facilities also provide
substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and
wildlife benefits:
http://www.usbr.gov.
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July
2006