Endangered Species Recovery in an Urbanizing River Corridor; Joel Sholtes

¹Colorado Mesa University, Grand Junction, Colorado, USA

 

The Colorado River corridor, as it flows through the City of Grand Junction, CO, serves a multitude of uses from irrigation, domestic supply, to recreation. It is also home to threatened and endangered fish species. As the City experiences a surge in economic and population growth, re-development of the River corridor for recreation, residential, and business uses are gaining momentum. How will this development, and a growing sense of community value being placed on the River, balance with the flow and habitat needs (environmental and legal) of endangered species that share the same corridor? This paper explores the challenges and opportunities for maintaining and enhancing flows and habitat for these fishes alongside the re-development of brownfields into riverside businesses and community amenities.