Evan Franklin – Undergraduate – Geography
Impact of Water Temperatures on Fisheries in the Grand Canyon
The area between Glen Canyon Dam and Spencer Canyon, Arizona passes mostly through the Grand Canyon and is home to many different aquatic species, including eight fish native to this area, two of which, the humpback chub and razorback sucker, are listed as endangered species. Additionally these species of fish are native to warm waters so decreasing temperatures could impact their growth. Decreasing water temperatures as a result of Glen Canyon Dam have influenced the fisheries. The humpback chub benefits from releases made for warm temperatures, while non-native species such as the rainbow trout are at a disadvantage from warmer water temperatures. In this poster I show how decreasing water temperatures in the Grand Canyon section of the Colorado River have led to a decrease in the growth rate of Humpback chub and razorback suckers. I additionally show how the Glen Canyon Dam has played a role in causing these declining water temperatures and growth rates. Finally, I describe some of the steps being taken to limit this decline in growth and how effective they have been.
Bryan Remick – Undergraduate – Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
The Influence of Dam Removal on Coho and Chinook Salmon on the Klamath River Basin
The Klamath River historically supported large runs of anadromous salmonids, but due to damming of the river for hydroelectric power water temperature increases and barriers prevent access to stretches of the river that are important for spawning. Dam removal has been a method proposed to restore the declining population of salmonoids. The species of Chinook salmon and Coho salmon found on the Klamath River are both candidates for threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The disruption of salmon spawning habitat by dams is one cause for their declining numbers. This poster examines the Klamath River basin that stretches between northern California and southwest Oregon and considers the cause of the decline for salmon populations and the influence of dam removal on these fisheries. Options and methods to bring back the number of salmon to a point they can sustain a healthy population are addressed.
Ramon Valdez – Undergraduate – Geography
Water Within the Great Basin and Its Effects on the Local Mule Deer Population and Migration
The Great Basin holds an array of animal and plant life unique to the region; however, the most notable is the Mule Deer. One of the largest big game animals in North America, Mule Deer is a highly sought-after species by both conservation effort groups and by hunting enthusiasts. A key species to the region and a valuable commodity to the local hunting community, Mule Deer can traverse large distances searching for water and food. With changes in temperatures and reduced precipitation from climate change we are seeing less availability of water in one of the most arid states in the west, thus adaptation is key to survival. This research examines local water supplies within the Great Basin and comparing them to Mule Deer migration patterns in an effort to understand patterns of change in how the deer move across the Basin. Furthermore, the research will look at population sizes to determine if there is a correlation with water availability in different places.
Ellen Wilson – Graduate Student – Biology
Devils Hole Pupfish and Community Conflict
The Devils Hole Pupfish (Cyprinodon diabolis) is an endangered species that lives in Nye County, Nevada. The small iridescent fish only lives near the top of the Devils Hole, a pool that is 400 feet deep and 93 degrees warm, and nowhere else in the entire world. There are around 100 individuals left, and are considered one of the world’s rarest fish species. Because they are such a fragile species, there has been strong conservation effort to preserve them. However, not everyone agrees with the effort or the reasons these pupfish should be saved. The main issue surrounding the Devils Hole Pupfish is water management, and this has led to conflict between those who use water and those who wish to protect this rare fish. In 1956, the Devils Hole was removed from public domain and became part of the Death Valley National Monument, and in 1976, the U.S. Department of the Interior emphasized how irrigation pumping harmed these vulnerable species, leading to the Devils Hole Pupfish being listed as endangered. In 1976, the court case Cappaert v. United States ruled that the pumping of water from the Devils Hole on the Cappaerts’ ranch be limited, even when the Cappaerts argued for their water rights. This resulted in a backlash from ranchers and citizens, who were angry at the government for restricting their access to water. This poster addresses the environmental, social, and political issues that arose in the aftermath of the Cappaert litigation for the Devils Hole.