Biologists Help Park Get “Chubbier”

When the Glen Canyon Dam was constructed in the 1960s, there were many unintended consequences to the Grand Canyon ecosystem immediately downstream. One of the more high profile has been the plight of native fish species which have struggled to adapt to the frigid, clear water that replaced the warm, muddy river flows of yesteryear.

The indigenous humpback chub is one example of a fish that has been pushed to the brink of extinction. The National Park Service, and other federal agencies have been taking aggressive steps to help the remaining population survive this new paradigm. One measure has been to establish a second viable colony miles downstream in Shinumo Creek.

Read more about this intriguing survival story.

About Mike Buchheit

Mike Buchheit was the director of the Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute for over 25 years, a professional landscape photographer and instructor, a freelance travel writer, and a popular lecturer on a wide variety of Grand Canyon-related topics. As a long-time resident, 3,000-mile hiker, and frequent river runner, the Iowa native has gained an intimate knowledge of the park that he called home.

As a long-time resident, 3,000-mile hiker, and frequent river runner, the Iowa native has gained an intimate knowledge of the park that he calls home. You can see some of his beautiful work on his Grand Canyon Prints website.