Juvenile razorback suckers swim inside the Ouray National Fish Hatchery outside Vernal, Utah.
The Colorado River is one of the most engineered river systems in the world. Over millions of years, the living creatures that call the river home have adapted to its natural variability, of seasonal highs and lows. But for the last century, they have struggled to keep up with rapid change in the river’s flows and ecology.
Dams throughout the watershed create barriers and alter flows that make life hard for native fish. Toss in 70 non-native fish species, rapidly growing invasive riparian plants and a slurry of pollutants, and the problem of endangered fish recovery becomes even more complex. The river system is home to four fish species currently listed as endangered: the razorback sucker, Colorado pikeminnow, bonytail and humpback chub.
Beyer s Byways: Dinosaurs and dark skies help define Borrego Springs
By John R. Beyer
For the Victorville Daily Press
I love driving in roundabouts because the concept of going around in circles, devil may care, waiting for an opening in the traffic to fearlessly exit is really enjoyable.
I loved them in Ireland. Loved them in Peru. Loved them in Turks and Caicos. And I love the one in Borrego Springs. Granted, Borrego Springs only has one, but if you don’t exit for 20 minutes, you can pretend the small Southern California desert community has dozens.
“You know, this is our third time around this roundabout,” Laureen asked, as I drove one more time around the beautiful Christmas Circle in downtown Borrego Springs.
NPS Reports Lowering Lake Levels Will Impact Boat Launching Locations Across Lake Mead National Recreation Area AZ,NV
NPS photo
April 29, 2021 - BOULDER CITY, Nev. – The Lake Mead National Recreation Area is advising visitors to be aware that lower water levels expected over the next several years will impact water access points and boat launch areas on Lake Mead. Launch ramps on Lake Mohave are not expected to be affected according to current projections.
To the extent possible, the National Park Service (NPS) will work to maintain boat launch access at Hemenway Harbor, Temple Bar, Callville Bay, Echo Bay, and South Cove throughout the summer of 2021 using pipe mats to temporarily extend launch ramps.
A new tool to kill the water killers
By Buckmasters Online
Revolutionary new method joins the fight against invasive mussels.
For almost three decades now, conservationists in states with massive lake and river water resources have lost the battle against two invasive mussels the quagga and the zebra. Since spring arrived and recreational boaters and water users are putting their boats into the water, Utah is bringing an important new weapon to the fight May 1. The new system will lead the way in the massive fight against the water-killing mussels.
The zebra mussel first arrived in the Great Lakes in 1986, released in ocean-going ship ballast water. By 1990 the mussels invaded the Erie Canal and Lake Ontario, and have since spread to the entire Mississippi River basin. They continue to spread.