Monday March 6, 2023
St George News —
The Bureau of Reclamation is asking for public input on its draft environmental assessment designed to stop a predatory, invasive fish species from spawning below the Glen Canyon Dam.
As Lake Powell’s water levels continue to drop to historically low levels, water is being released through the Glen Canyon Dam at “record-high” temperatures, a news release issued by the Bureau states.
Although the invasive fish have previously been sighted downstream of the dam, the river’s warmer temperatures are “now conducive for smallmouth bass reproduction and establishment,” according to the draft environmental assessment.
While the smallmouth bass is a popular sport fish, the species “wreaked havoc” on the upper Colorado River, The Associated Press reported. However, until recently, they were “held at bay” by the Glen Canyon Dam.