Whirling Disease Found In The Duchesne River

None by Eric Ray

DWR Worried It Could Spread To Strawberry Reservoir

(KCPW News) Biologists from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources have discovered whirling disease in the Duchesne River and they are concerned the disease could hamper efforts to conserve the population of Colorado River cutthroat trout.

There are two concerns should the disease spread upstream above the Central Utah Project water diversion system. It could enter the West Fork where the Colorado River cutthroat are the source of a brood population that provide eggs for the DWR's conservation effort.

The disease could also find its way into major fisheries like Strawberry and Currant Creek Reservoirs. Roger Schneidervin, a Regional Aquatics Manager for the DWR, says 60% of Bear Lake cutthroat trout in Strawberry come from streams that feed the reservoir. If the disease spreads to Strawberry, more than half of its fish would have to be raised or replaced with Rainbow Trout.

In an effort to prevent a spread, the DWR has placed a fish barrier in the Duchesne River to keep them from swimming upstream. Anglers should also clean their clothes and equipment prior to visiting a second fishing hole to reduce the chances of spreading whirling disease.

In an effort to prevent a spread, the DWR has placed a fish barrier in the Duchesne River to keep them from swimming upstream. Anglers should also clean their clothes and equipment prior to visiting a second fishing hole to reduce the chances of spreading whirling disease.

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