This project will remove fish passage fish passage
Fish passage is the ability of fish or other aquatic species to move freely throughout their life to find food, reproduce, and complete their natural migration cycles. Millions of barriers to fish passage across the country are fragmenting habitat and leading to species declines. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Fish Passage Program is working to reconnect watersheds to benefit both wildlife and people.
Learn more about fish passage barriers in Amargo Creek within the Upper San Juan River watershed, which is negatively impacting three native fish species - the roundtail chub, the bluehead sucker, and the flannelmouth sucker. Historical manipulation of Amargo Creek in the late 1800s rerouted the channel to its current location. This manipulation of the creek channel was detrimental to natural hydrological processes, resulting in a manmade reach over 200 meters in length that is an impassable barrier during critical life periods of the three endemic species each year. Returning the creek to its original channel will remove this barrier to movement, allowing fish access to eight miles of habitat.
Project Quick Facts:
| Location | New Mexico |
| NFPP Project Funding | $1,100,000 |
| Restoration Techniques | Channel restoration, barrier removal |
| Partner Project Lead | Jicarilla Apache Nation Game & Fish Dept. |
The National Fish Passage Program: Leaders in Building Bridges and Fostering Connections
The National Fish Passage Program is a national leader connecting watersheds and people. The program has decades of experience implementing infrastructure projects with partners. Fish passage project proposals can be initiated by any individual, organization, government, or agency. However, proposals must be submitted and completed in cooperation with a Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office. (Please note that fish passage projects being used for federal or state compensatory mitigation or required by existing federal or state regulatory programs are not eligible for funding through the National Fish Passage Program.)
CONTACT A FISH PASSAGE COORDINATOR IN YOUR AREA TO GET STARTED.
200 Million Dollar Investment in Rivers, Wildlife, and Communities
Clean free-flowing waterways are vital to wildlife, people, and ecosystems. But across the country, millions of barriers fragment rivers, block fish migration, and put communities at higher risk to flooding. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) is a once-in-a-generation investment in the nation’s infrastructure and economic competitiveness. We were directly appropriated $455 million over five years in BIL funds for programs related to the President’s America the Beautiful initiative.
Learn more about Bipartisan Infrastructure Law , signed in November 2021, included $200 million for restoring fish and wildlife passage by removing in-stream barriers and providing technical assistance under the National Fish Passage Program.
