SBSC researchers conducting aquatic insect research in the Colorado River next to Glen Canyon Dam during "Bug Flows"

SBSC's foodbase team conducts aquatic insect studies downstream of Glen Canyon Dam in the Colorado River during "Bug Flows" - a modified flow regime designed to benefit insects. Bug Flow water releases are steady over the weekend to allow aquatic insect eggs deposited along the waterline to stay wet and thus go through their life cycle in the river, eventually emerging as winged insects. Regular flows resume during weekdays, and the modified flows do not affect hydropower. Studies are ongoing to see whether insect populations increase. Fish, bats and birds prey on aquatic and aquatic winged insects. Photo courtesy of David Herasimtschuk, Freshwaters Illustrated, 2019.