Evaluation of waters for native cutthroat trout restoration in Rocky Mountain National Park
Kennedy CM and Watry MK. 2022. Evaluation of waters for native cutthroat trout restoration in Rocky Mountain National Park. Natural Resource Report. NPS/ROMO/NRR—2021/2364. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/nrr-2288715
The greenback cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki stomias) and the undescribed green lineage cutthroat trout (O. clarki ssp.) are the only cutthroat trout native to the waters of Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). In RMNP the greenback is native to the waters east of the Continental Divide (CD) and is listed as a federally threatened sub-species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). There are only a few extant populations, none of which are within RMNP. The green lineage is taxonomically undescribed, native to the waters west of the CD in RMNP. Based on current understanding of cutthroat trout genetics, two populations of green lineage reside within their historic drainage in RMNP and several more reside outside their historic range and east of the CD. This report compiles available data on parameters that affect the time and cost of conducting native cutthroat trout restoration and parameters that have been determined to be important for long-term persistence of cutthroat populations. It includes information on the existing habitat and populations, incorporates future projections (where available), applies accepted population conversion factors from brook trout to cutthroat (where available) and explores potential methods for conducting restoration projects (by chemical or mechanical means). It also proposes a prioritization scheme for native cutthroat restoration in RMNP at the individual project, sub-drainage and major drainage scales. The report is not a decision document but is intended to be used by managers as a reference and guide for native cutthroat restoration.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Kennedy, Christopher; Watry, Mary
- Date of Issue
- 2022-03
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- DOI
- 10.36967/nrr-2288715
- Units
- NRSS , ROMO , WRD
- Keywords
- Colorado cutthroat trout, endangered species, fish, fisheries, fishes, greenback cutthroat trout, native fish, restoration, Rocky Mountain National Park