The Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) is considering alternative operations at the Glen Canyon Dam to prevent invasive fish from spawning downstream.
On June 6, the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Work Group directed BOR to prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement to the 2016 management plan after a previous environmental assessment determined additional analysis was warranted.
As water levels are low in Lake Powell, the intake valves at Glen Canyon Dam provide a potential opportunity for invasive fish to be discharged downstream, posing a threat to federally protected humpback chub and other native fish. It is estimated there are approximately 60,000 humpback chubs below Glen Canyon Dam.
“We will continue our work to protect the river and its native species to the best of our ability as we plan our operations of the river,” said Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton. “If smallmouth bass continue to spawn and establish below Glen Canyon Dam, there will likely be negative impacts to the humpback chub and other native fish species.”
