Presentation Title

Invasive Green Sunfish to be Removed from Backwater Slough in Colorado River1Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

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The National Park Service (NPS) and Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) will administer two treatments of the fish toxin rotenone to eliminate invasive Green Sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) from a backwater slough, located on the Colorado River within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, three miles below the Glen Canyon Dam. 2Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

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The first treatment is planned between Nov. 2 - 6, followed by a second treatment 10 days later to address fish that may have hatched after the first treatment.3Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

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The treatments will be applied by AGFD biologists, pending approval by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. The cobble bar area surrounding the slough, the slough itself, and a short distance up and downstream will remain closed to the public for the duration of both treatments. 4Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

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In July, AGFD biologists discovered an unusually large, reproducing population of invasive Green Sunfish in the slough. Green Sunfish are prolific, with a single female producing up to 10,000 eggs.5Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

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Biologists with the AGFD, NPS, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) determined that Green Sunfish pose a threat to native fish including the Humpback Chub.6Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

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A rapid response action is necessary to eradicate the population of sunfish before it spreads downstream into critical habitat for the endangered Humpback Chub.7Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

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The treatment will be carefully planned and conducted to minimize exposure to rotenone to protect the health and safety of humans, the environment and livestock.8Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

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Rotenone is a natural substance derived from plant roots. It has been effective at eliminating localized populations of Green Sunfish, including in the Colorado River Basin. 9Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

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Between eight and 30 gallons of rotenone will be applied to treat the slough. Fish will be removed from the area following treatments.

10Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

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Should any rotenone enter the main channel, it will be diluted to concentrations that are insignificant to wildlife or humans, because of the volume of flow in the Colorado River, which will be held at 9,000 cubic feet per second by the BOR for three days during the treatments.11Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

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www.explorethecanyon.comGrand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023Phone: (928)638-2468

Group Reservations and Special EventsPhone: (877)239-3235Fax: (928)638-2807E-mail: group2@ngvccanyon.com

Visitor Center Hours of OperationMarch - October open 8:00 am -10:00 pmNovember - February open 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

12Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center 450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023 Phone: 928-638-2468

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