Biologists try to save ancient fish as Colorado River fades
By BRITTANY PETERSON and JOHN FLESHER
Associated Press
PAGE, Ariz. (AP) — A key fish that has dwelt in the Colorado River since ancient times, and whose presence indicates a healthy river, is now up against a threat from a giant dam above. The humpback chub has long been the focus of restoration efforts — successful ones. But as the waters of Lake Powell sink lower than ever, nonnative predator fish could make their way down through the inner works of Glen Canyon Dam to the river below where they feed on the chub. Federal, state and tribal agencies are urgently trying to devise a strategy to keep the predators penned up. The situation raises the question: How alive is a river if it loses its key native fish?
