RICO, Colo. — As the Stoner Mesa Fire scorches the San Juan National Forest, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has relocated hundreds of native trout to protect their survival and genetic diversity.
Earlier this week, state, local, and federal crews coordinated a high-stakes mission on Wildcat Creek, a tributary of the Upper Dolores River. The creek is home to the Uncompahgre cutthroat trout, a rare strain native to the Upper Dolores, Gunnison, and Colorado River basins.
CPW said the trout play a critical role in maintaining the basin’s genetic diversity. Officials moved the fish to prevent losses if the fire reached the watershed and damaged water quality.
“Those fish having evolved in the drainage have certain characteristics that make them successful in that environment,” explained Kade Jackson, CPW aquatic biologist. “So we have these very small populations that could potentially blink out.”
If flames hit the creek, the fire could alter water chemistry and devastate the population, harming the broader ecosystem.
“From the genetic side of things, there’s a lot more than just, ‘Oh, it’s one fish in one stream,’” Jackson said. “You could actually use the genetics of that fish and kind of plant it in other unique lineages within the basin to improve genetic diversity and improve the survival of that entire lineage in the Upper Dolores River Basin.”
In total, CPW and U.S. Forest Service workers removed 266 trout and transported them 165 miles to the Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery north of Gunnison. The trout will remain there until conditions are safe to return them to Wildcat Creek. If that’s not possible, CPW said they may establish a new population elsewhere.
The Stoner Mesa Fire has burned nearly 7,400 acres as of Friday and remains 0% contained. The town of Rico is under evacuation notice.
Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
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