Ten years ago, the total population of the June Sucker fish (found only in Utah Lake) was fewer than 1,000. “Extinction of the species was a looming possibility,” says preservationist Michael Mills. Today, with the help of the June Sucker Recovery Program by way of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, that number is approaching a quarter of a million.
Not enough to go unprotected just yet. But that’s the goal. “We are working towards getting the June sucker off the endangered species list and that will probably be the ultimate definition of success,” says Mills.
The decision to take the species off the list resides with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the primary administrators of the Endangered Species Act. But while the additional stock of June Suckers are impressive, there’s still a problem. “Even though we have June sucker spawning in Utah Lake tributaries and producing millions of larval suckers, few of those naturally spawned suckers survive to become adults,” explains Mills. “When we reach the point of getting naturally produced and recruited adults, we will have overcome one of the big obstacles preventing recovery of the species.”
Where do all the new adults currently come from then? Incubators at the Red Butte Reservoir and the Springville fish hatchery. Once the suckers reach adulthood, they’re released into the Lake. “Thanks largely to a successful hatchery and refuge program that has produced over 200,000 June sucker to stock into Utah Lake since 2004, extinction of the species has been averted. Combined with projects that have put water back into the Provo River, restored the delta area at Hobble Creek, and carp removal program, we are reaching a point where we are seeing success in a variety of areas.”
In addition to recovery of the June sucker, Mills and his team have a second goal of ensuring the continued use and development of area water projects, including the federal Central Utah Project. “In order to deliver the full amount of water to residents of the Wasatch Front, significant progress towards recovery of the June sucker must be made.” Otherwise, the federal government could penalize the Wasatch Front’s share of water access if it doesn’t comply with the Endangered Species Act in protecting the June sucker, says Mills.
“In a way, as the recovery program is successful each year the Wasatch Front continues to receive its full water supply (from the Central Utah Project),” says Mills. “Since the inception of the program, the delivery of water has not been impacted.”
But the $54 million dollar project is a lot more than just saving the sucker and securing access to water rights. It benefits the entire community, says Mills. “Our actions to improve the Utah Lake ecosystem extend far beyond the June sucker,” he says, noting the Hobble Creek restoration and carp removal programs as recent successes that help boost public recreational use in addition to preservation.
“The Endangered Species Act is more than saving individual species,” concludes Mills. “It is about restoring the ecosystems on which those species depend. As we work toward a better Utah Lake, we will see benefits to all the residents of Utah Valley.”
this is realy cool i have yet to beelive that we shold get the june sucker off the list
Kam,
Thanks for the comment! The June Sucker Recovery Implementation Program is working tirelessly to try to get the June Sucker back off of the endangered species list. That listing is currently under review, due to successes the program has brought about. However, rest assured that a de-listing will not occur prematurely. Thanks for reading our blog! Check out some of the other material we have.
I was really disappointed to figure out they were going extinct! Keep doing your jobs! A lot of people really appreciate what you are doing and I was wondering if you were trying to save any other extinct animals.
Thanks for commenting! The June Sucker is the only endangered species at Utah Lake. Fall 2019 it was proposed to be downlisted from endangered to threatened, so there have been significant successes thus far. Work will continue to help this species and the rest of the lake’s species and habitat.
that just truly is dumb so 🙂
I think this is amazing and I hope that you guys get the June suckers off the endangered list.
Great idea and Good Luck
Good Luck Peeps
I do think this is working. Yay thank you so much for trying to make this fish live. Because of you people this is why we can do great things to help our wildlife.
I am so glad you are doing this. This proves this is going to help our wild life. I was so sad knowing that the fish [June sucker] are going to be okay . This proves that people like you are great people. This tells me people still care about other living things.
Thanks for doing this you guys! I hope that you get them off the list! I completely support what you are doing. Go save the fish!
I was really disappointed to figure out they were going extinct! Keep doing your jobs! A lot of people really appreciate what you are doing and I was wondering if you were trying to save any other extinct animals.
Hannah,
Thanks for the comment! The June Sucker is the only endangered species at Utah Lake. However, we are also working to remove several invasive species to protect the native wildlife and habitat. The carp is the most commonly known one. There is also work being done to eradicate the northern pike, and also a species of plan called phragmites that chokes out native vegetation.
WOW AMZING
cool i cant wait
you are good people for doing this
ha the name is sucker
i have an idea. get the June sucker out of the lake and other native fish and then put lots of bull sharks in the lake to kill off the non-native fish.
Silas,
Great care must be taken when introducing non-native species. Bull sharks would likely become the next issue that has to be addressed. The June Sucker Recovery Program is working diligently toward sustainable solutions to help the June Sucker. The Provo River Delta Restoration project is a great example of creating needed habitat, for June Sucker and other fish and birds alike. The efforts on carp removal similarly benefits the habitat and wildlife of Utah Lake. Innovative solutions continue to be needed and researched for future progress.
hello my name is rebeca
that’s nice, Rebecca
Which one are you?
That was a really cool text informing people about June Suckers. I really liked it! It makes me want to do whatever I can to help these amazing creatures.
nioce
this was very interesting, good for them
Thanks for doing this it is very kind to help the June Sucker I always loved fish they make me happy when you see them in the ocean so thanks for caring about them to
I think that is a good idea honestly