Long-Term Dynamics of Native and Nonnative Fishes in the San Juan River, New Mexico and Utah, under a Partially Managed Flow Regime

Abstract

Nonnative fishes and flow alteration are primary threats to native fish persistence in lotic systems. We used several flow regime attributes and fish sampling data obtained from the San Juan River, New Mexico and Utah, during 1993–2010 to evaluate the potential use of flow manipulations to increase recruitment of native fishes that must cope with nonnative species. During this period, discharge in the river was partially manipulated by reservoir releases that augmented naturally high spring flows in this snowmelt-driven system. An information theoretic approach was used to rank candidate models that predicted species densities based upon selected combinations of flow attributes and abundances of nonnative species. Autumn density of age-0 fishes in secondary channels was the main response variable. The main predictor variables included flow attributes associated with interannual variation in daily discharge and water temperature; densities of nonnative competitors; and catch rates of a numerically dominant nonnative predator (the channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus). Top-ranked models for native species included positive associations with small-bodied nonnative fishes and negative associations with the abundance of channel catfish adults. Densities of native speckled dace Rhinichthys osculus and flannelmouth suckers Catostomus latipinnis increased with mean spring discharge, but the density of native bluehead suckers C. discobolus did not. With the exception of juvenile channel catfish, the top candidate models predicting densities of nonnative fishes all included the duration of low summer flows. These results confirmed findings from a previous study that demonstrated different responses of native and nonnative fishes to seasonal flows; the present study also revealed that densities of all fishes were generally lower in years with greater abundance of adult channel catfish. Regression analysis indicated that seasonal flow manipulations and suppression of nonnative predator populations could be effective management tools to restore and maintain the native fish community.

Received March 2, 2011; accepted November 20, 2011

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Field work was accomplished with the assistance of numerous colleagues, most notably L. A. Ahlm, T. Bingham, M. J. Buntjer, S. M. Carman, T. Chart, S. Davenport, J. E. Davis, S. Durst, N. Franssen, D. W. Furr, C. W. Hoagstrom, A. L. Hobbes, J. A. Jackson, R. D. Larson, M. Mata, A. M. Monié, Y. M. Paroz, T. J. Pilger, C. Roberstson, J. Wick, and N. Zymonas. Dale Ryden graciously provided channel catfish data. Our research benefited from discussions with K. R. Bestgen, J. E. Brooks, F. K. Pfeifer, and S. P. Platania. Helpful hydrological and geomorphological insights were provided by S. Cullinan. Earlier drafts of the manuscript were improved by W. Brandenburg, R. Clarkson, S. Durst, E. Martin, M. Troia, J. Whitney, three anonymous reviewers, and the associate editor. Fish illustrations in Figure 1 were provided by W. H. Brandenburg. Funding for this study was provided by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (State Wildlife Grants), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Much of the work reported herein was conducted under the auspices of the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program. Scientific collecting permits were provided by the Navajo Nation, the states of Utah and New Mexico, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.