The Effects of Drought on Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout: The Role of Stream Intermittency

Drought poses a major threat to New Mexico’s state fish, the Rio Grande cutthroat trout. This southernmost subspecies of cutthroat trout, found only in New Mexico and Colorado, has already been restricted to an estimated 12% of its former range. Now climate change, in the form of lower winter snowpack and reduced precipitation, challenges its long-term persistence. This trout tends to occupy small and fragmented streams, which are at higher risk of drying up during drought events. Yet, the full extent of drought impacts to Rio Grande cutthroat trout is unknown.

 

To address this knowledge gap, researchers examined the effects of drought - in particular stream intermittency - on the growth and survival of Rio Grande cutthroat trout. Researchers also explored how drought is changing the availability of fish habitat. The results of this study are expected to inform managers of suitable Rio Grande cutthroat trout habitat now and under future drought conditions.