Floodplains are presumed to be important rearing habitat for the endangered razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus). To help recover this endemic Colorado River Basin species, the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program implemented a floodplain acquisition and enhancement program. Levee removal was initiated in 1996 as one component of this floodplain restoration program. The goal of the Levee Removal Study was to evaluate the system responses to levee removal and make specific recommendations concerning the value of floodplain/river reconnecting for endangered species (specifically razorback sucker) recovery.
