Muddy River Research

The upper Muddy River is highly sensitive area that provides habitat for a unique suite of species that are considered rare and sensitive. Conservation of the Muddy River species is a high priority for local, state and federal agencies.

The mainstem of the river, tributaries and springs in the Moapa area have two federally endangered fish, the Moapa dace (Moapa coriacea) and Virgin River chub (Gile seminuda). In addition, there are other sensitive species in the area, including three fish, two snails and two insect species.

In an effort to address the needs of the listed and sensitive species, federal and state agencies, environmental organizations and local stakeholders are working together in several capacities to implement conservation and recovery actions. SNWA is an active participant of the Muddy River Recovery Implementation Team. The team's focus is to design and implement conservation actions, that will be useful in future resource planning.

SNWA conducts regular surveys for Moapa speckled dace (Rhinichtys osculus moapae), an endemic fish species in the Muddy River. SNWA also assists the Nevada Department of Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with annual surveys for the Moapa dace and White River spring fish (Crenichthys baileyi moapae).

As part of achieving the Recovery Implementation Team goals, SNWA has partially funded and cooperated in research and restoration activities in the Moapa area. These activities include habitat restoration at a spring source; surveys of the Southwestern willow flycatcher, Yuma clapper rail and yellow-billed cuckoo; and other sensitive migratory bird surveys and macro invertebrate research.