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Bureau of Reclamation: Lower water levels at Lees Ferry could impact trout

By Ron Dungan
Published: Tuesday, September 6, 2022 - 4:53pm

The Colorado River at Lees Ferry
Ron Dungan/KJZZ
The Colorado River at Lees Ferry.

The Colorado River’s falling levels have made headlines because of the impact on water supplies and the power grid.

But they could also affect fish.

For years, the cool water coming out of Glen Canyon Dam provided good trout habitat, and about 15 miles of the Colorado River near Lees Ferry is managed for fishing.

But the Bureau of Reclamation reports that low water levels have led to rising temperatures, which means reduced levels of dissolved oxygen.

That could impact the fish. Earlier this summer, smallmouth bass, a predatory species, were reported within two miles of the dam.

Native fish are typically found farther downstream and may not be affected by the change.

Environment Water