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Current Status:

Pahrump poolfish are endemic only to Manse Spring in southern Nevada, but have been extirpated from this habitat. When it became apparent that local ground water pumping would dry up Manse Spring, Pahrump poolfish were transplanted into the Corn Creek Springs on the Fish and Wildlife Service's Desert Game Range in southern Nevada. Subsequently, fish from the Corn Creek population have been utilized to establish two additional Pahrump poolfish populations in Nevada. These three populations are thriving, but are vulnerable to habitat modifications resulting from natural vegetative succession and loss of spring flow due to ground water pumping.

Achievements:

State appropriated or Federal reserve water rights exist for all springs currently supporting Pahrump poolfish populations. Excessive emergent vegetation has been removed from the Corn Creek ponds to improve habitat conditions for Pahrump poolfish. The three populations have maintained, and generally exceeded, at least 500 individuals for at least 3 years. These population levels have met the criteria established in the Pahrump Poolfish Recovery Plan for consideration of reclassification from endangered to threatened status. The Service is currently considering a proposal to reclassify the fish from endangered to threatened status.

Section 6 Funding and Activities:

In both FY 1991 and FY 1992, the Nevada Department of Wildlife received $4,100 for Pahrump poolfish monitoring and habitat management activities.

Partnerships

Bureau of Land Management: This Federal agency manages Shoshone Ponds, southeast of Ely, Nevada, which supports a population of Pahrump poolfish. The Bureau recognizes the importance of maintaining the habitat supporting this poolfish population and manages the ponds to provide optimum habitat conditions.

Nevada Division of State Parks: The irrigation reservoir on the Spring Mountain State Park in southern Nevada supports a population of Pahrump poolfish. The Nevada Division of State Parks allowed resident game fish to be removed from the pond in preparation for release of Pahrump poolfish, and have been cooperating with the Nevada Department of Wildlife to maintain the habitat.

Nevada Department of Wildlife: The Nevada Department of Wildlife annually determines the size of all three Pahrump poolfish populations and monitors their respective habitat conditions.

Recovery Plan Status:

Plan approved 3/17/80.