Date:

2020 - 2023

Abstract:

The Price River, a tributary to the Green River in the Upper Colorado River Basin, is a critically important river for native fish conservation. The lower Price River is used extensively by the federally-listed fishes as well as two fish species of special concern. A restoration plan was developed as a multi-phased approach to guide restoration and management of the lower Price River. The 150 km stretch of the lower Price River was divided into reaches based on changes in valley width, tributary inputs, geology, and existing flow diversions. Each of the reaches was then ranked for existing ecological integrity based on available habitat complexity and prevalence of native vs. nonnative riparian vegetation. Reaches having high ecological integrity were classified as threatened from further flow alterations and encroachment of nonnative vegetation. Reaches with lower ecological integrity were then ranked by ecological potential and distance from a source (e.g., Green River). Restoration reaches for the first phases of restoration were further selected based on opportunity, which was determined by accessibility and availability of private landowner partnerships. Restoration actions of a preventative nature, such as targeted removal of existing Russian olive trees, were recommended for threatened reaches. Higher intensity restoration actions, including mechanical removal of nonnative vegetation and addition of beaver-dam analogue structures at high density were recommended for other restoration reaches. Further, a monitoring program is in place, so that an adaptive management approach to restoration can be implemented over the multiple phases. The project was delayed for almost three years by environmental permitting; however, all permits were recently received and restoration is under way in the Woodside- Canyon areas.

Funding:

• Watershed Restoration Initiative – Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
• Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (in-kind)
• U.S. Bureau of Land Management
• U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
• U.S. Geological Survey – Utah Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit (in-kind)

Investigators:

• Dr. Phaedra Budy, Unit Leader, UCFWRU
• Dr. Tim Walsworth, Dept. of Watershed Sciences, USU
• Dr. Brian Laub, University of Texas, San Antonio
• William Macfarlane, Dept. of Watershed Sciences, USU
• Gary Thiede, Dept. of Watershed Sciences, USU
• Peter MacKinnon, Biomark Inc. & Dept. of Watershed Sciences, USU

Other Collaborators:

• Dan Keller, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
• Justin Jiminez, US BLM
• Jerrad Goodell, US BLM