HOSTILE HABITAT/ Drought increases stress on wildlife populations

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), May 14, 2002 | by Karl Licis

Colorado's drought is affecting wildlife, and experts say it could have serious consequences for some species if it continues.

Not all wildlife will suffer equally if the drought continues through summer and fall. Some may be largely unaffected, but for others, conditions already are turning to dust.

"It's dry," said Jeff Yost, Lamar-based terrestrial biologist for the Colorado Division of Wildlife. "It's like the middle of winter out there. It's all brown. ... The only green you'll see is along a few of the roadside ditches and in some fields that have irrigation.

"That's also where we're seeing most of the wildlife. It's concentrating in areas that have some water."

The concentration of wildlife near areas with water and forage is happening statewide. As the season progresses, it could become more evident in mountain subdivisions and the city.

"Bears ... we're likely to see more bears," said Nick Pinell, longtime wildlife officer in the DOW's Colorado Springs office. "We had problems last year when the natural food crop wasn't very good and the bears were moving around in search of food.

"It could be even worse this year. We're coming up on a critical period for moisture. If it doesn't rain very soon, it'll be too late."

Developed areas also may attract additional deer, drawn to water and assorted plants.

Elk and higher-elevation deer most likely will fare reasonably well through a dry summer, finding adequate forage and water in the mountains. They could face hardships later, however, if a dry summer leaves wintering ranges in poor condition. In the worst case, animals undernourished through substandard summer feeding would move onto poor winter range and be hit by a severe winter.

Less dramatically, deer, elk and pronghorn populations might be reduced by other natural means such as lower reproductive rates and lower survival of fawns and calves. Such declines may not be apparent for two to three years.

Similar cycles could affect waterfowl, shorebirds and upland birds such as pheasants.

"Our production will be down this year, that's for sure," said Ron Garcia, deputy manager of the Alamosa/Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge in the San Luis Valley, among the nation's most productive areas for ducks and other water birds.

Even with well water available for nesting on the Monte Vista segment, the survival of young birds will be reduced by a shortage of prime ground cover. Without a good growing season, the lack of cover would be even more critical next year. A poor farming year could create additional hardships for waterfowl, migrating cranes and other birds that depend on waste grain in the fields.

The lack of cover and moisture also will hurt the state's pheasant population, Yost said.

"I would expect poor survival of the brood hatches. And after a poor production year, it usually takes several years for the population to come back."

Fish also face a mixed outlook. Flows along the South Platte River below the South Park reservoirs should be relatively normal this summer, according to Bob Steger, a water-resources engineer for the Denver Water Department. Cheesman Reservoir is sure to drop, but Elevenmile and Antero reservoirs are expected to remain at normal levels.

The Arkansas River will not have much runoff to speak of, but releases of water from reservoirs through the summer should keep the level adequate for trout survival.

Low water already is evident in many eastern Colorado reservoirs. Most will go lower. Some may dry up entirely.

Pueblo Reservoir will recede but survive as a viable fishery. John Martin Reservoir, between Las Animas and Lamar, probably will drop below boat-ramp level by June.

Nee Grande and Nee Noshe reservoirs, north of Lamar, are at their dead-pool levels, meaning no more water can be taken out. Both will lose water to evaporation but are expected to survive the summer.

In southwest Colorado, the Dolores River below McPhee Reservoir probably will lose its entire trout population, according to Sherman Hebein, Western Slope fisheries biologist for the DOW. Low flows also are likely on the lower Gunnison River and parts of the Colorado, Eagle and Blue rivers.

If water temperatures rise above 65 degrees, brown trout are susceptible to temperature-related factors such as disease.

Low water is expected in Dillon, Green Mountain, Taylor, Granby, Williams Fork, Ridgway and Vallecito reservoirs, and in a number of San Luis Valley lakes.

"We can manage wildlife," Hebein said. "Unfortunately we can't manage the houses that it lives in."

- Karl Licis may be reached at 636-0256 or klicis@gazette.com

Coming Wednesday: The drought's effects on businesses.