As summer begins to fade, undoubtedly some locals have found themselves taking last minute trips to one of Colorado’s natural wonders: Rocky Mountain National Park. However, they may
have been surprised to find their desired trail inaccessible. The week of August 24th-30th brought closures to the park’s western edge, in preparation for an old inhabitant making its long awaited return.
Cutthroat Closures
According to the National Park Service this closure is the latest step in the Poudre Headwaters Project, which aims to restore the Greenback Cutthroat Trout to a section of its historic range. The story of Colorado’s State Fish is one of near extinction, mistaken identity, and lengthy recovery. Finally, it appears the fish’s story and future are clearer than ever.
Greenback Cutthroat in net. 📷 Licensed from Adobe Stock.
A Rocky (Mountain) History
Greenback Cutthroat Trout are identifiable through the namesake red stripes under their jaw, along with black spots concentrating near the tail and a spotty red line running through the midsection. The species was downgraded from endangered to threatened in 1978, and nearly thirty years later it was determined that restocking had taken an erroneous turn. It was revealed fish previously identified as the Greenback subspecies were more closely related to Colorado Cutthroat Trout, a different subspecies. What appeared to be a complete reset to the Greenback’s recovery would not last, as in 2012 it was discovered through genetic testing that one population of original Greenbacks remained in a creek outside of Colorado Springs. From this population a brood stock would be established at the Leadville Fish Hatchery. More than a decade later the Greenback Cutthroat Trout has its best chance of survival yet. Now what areas may be affected by recovery efforts? And why Rocky Mountain National Park?
Current Recovery Efforts
The Greenback subspecies historically inhabited the South Platte River Basin. The Poudre Headwaters Project focuses on the Cache La Poudre River, also referred to as the Poudre River, where headwaters in Rocky Mountain National Park join the South Platte near Fort Collins. A section of the Poudre River is designated as a Wild and Scenic River due to unique geological, ecological, and recreational attributes and significant cultural history to settlers of the American West. The U.S Forestry Service claims the reintroduction of the Greenback Cutthroat Trout would create a distinctive fishing experience while returning a critical piece of biodiversity. Operations this summer focus on the removal of non-native trout. The pesticide retanone was applied in order to eliminate trout populations within the 14.5 miles of targeted streams. Once it is deemed no trout remain in the selected creeks, the Greenback can be reintroduced and monitored for population increases. Retanone is a commonly used pesticide by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service that has a well understood removal strategy, with no complications expected.
Cache La Poudre River Colorado. 📷 Licensed from Adobe Stock.
Native Importance
Cutthroat trout are the only trout species native to Colorado, with Rainbow, Brown and Brook trout being non-native species introduced in the late 19th and early 20th century for food and recreation purposes. Among trout species, cutthroats have some of the highest genetic diversity, produced by their range of geographical habitats. Each subspecies mirrors their environment and history through physical appearance. With cutthroat trout populations declining across the west, it is important to preserve an organism which truly represents the diversity of the Rocky Mountains.Â
The Poudre Headwaters project is slated to be completed by 2037, and yearly efforts will continue to limit the presence of non-native trout while reintroducing Greenbacks to available waters. The Greenback’s story is far from over, and hopefully the next decade plays out a lot smoother than much of its history has.
Noah Perkovich is a Naturalist Intern at Walking Mountains. He is an avid baseball fan looking forward to October and soon after the start of snowboarding season.
Sources
CPW –Â https://cpw.state.co.us/species/greenback-cutthroat-troutÂ
Western Native Trout Initiative –Â https://westernnativetrout.org/what-are-western-native-trout-and-char/greenback-cutthro at-trout/Â
Colorado Trout Unlimited –Â https://coloradotu.org/greenback-cutthroat-recovery-effortsÂ
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service –Â https://www.fws.gov/project/greenback-cutthroat-trout-research-and-recoveryÂ
National Park Service –Â https://www.nps.gov/romo/learn/management/poudre-headwaters-project.htmÂ
Colorado Outdoors –Â https://coloradooutdoorsmag.com/2018/10/10/greenback-cutthroat-trout-comeback/
Nature Conservancy –Â https://blog.nature.org/2019/05/14/recovery-the-once-and-future-greenback-cutthroat-vi ctory/Â
Colorado Outdoors –Â https://coloradooutdoorsmag.com/2022/09/26/greenback-cutthroat-trout-naturally-reproducing/Â
Genetic Study 2012 –https://www.ppctu.org/uploads/1/4/0/7/140721105/mec12028_metcalf_etal_2012.pdf\
