CPW to conduct reclamation project Aug. 12-16 on Big Bend Creek

John Livingston
Southwest Region Public Information Officer
970-759-9590 / [email protected]
@CPW_SW

DURANGO, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife aquatic biologists will conduct a reclamation project on Big Bend Creek in La Plata County from Aug. 12-16.

The public can expect heavy traffic from CPW off-road vehicles from the Upper Hermosa Creek trailhead downstream to the first bridge over Hermosa Creek during the project dates.

Anglers and recreationists may see a slight discoloration or a green tint of the water with the presence of an inert dye used to trace water flow during the use of rotenone.

“Because CPW is applying piscicides, public use of Big Bend Creek will be restricted during the treatment dates,” CPW Southwest Region Senior Aquatic Biologist Jim White said. “Treated water entering Hermosa Creek is expected to dilute 100% downstream of the treatment area.”

The purpose of the project is to remove non-native brook and rainbow trout to restore native cutthroat trout within the creek. CPW crews, with assistance from the San Juan National Forest and Five Rivers chapter of Trout Unlimited, will conduct removal efforts of the non-native fish.

To establish native cutthroat trout habitat in suitable streams, the removal of non-native trout is essential. Non-native trout compete, prey on and/or readily hybridize with cutthroat trout. Multiple research studies show that cutthroats die out in the presence of non-native trout. Successfully establishing a population requires removing all the non-native trout before cutthroat can be stocked.
 
The removal of non-native fish is done with the use of the EPA-registered piscicide rotenone, an organic chemical that comes from a tropical legume (pea family) root that has been used by indigenous peoples to capture fish and has been used throughout the world for fish management projects. Rotenone only affects gill breathing animals and invertebrates when used properly. CPW, as well as other state fish and game agencies, have successfully used rotenone for more than 80 years to remove fish in controlled and targeted reaches of lakes and streams.

CPW has worked on cutthroat trout restoration projects throughout the state for years. Restoration work is done to assure that native trout remain a sustainable and important part of Colorado’s natural environment. Colorado River Cutthroat Trout currently occupy approximately 11% of their historic habitat.

The treated areas will be void of fish until at least next summer when crews will get a chance to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment.