Join Dan Kowalski, an aquatic research scientist for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, to learn about one of the most important aquatic invertebrate species in the Gunnison Gorge - the Salmonfly (Pteronarcys californica). This is a one-hour live webinar.
When: November 8th from 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Where: Virtual - a link will be sent to you prior to the event
What: The giant Salmonfly, Pteronarcys californica, is one of the most unique and iconic aquatic invertebrates of the Gunnison River. It is the largest and longest lived aquatic invertebrate species in the river and is a species emblematic of high quality coldwater stream habitat. This stonefly is ecologically important to the river and its resident fish as well as to the river’s associated riparian areas and terrestrial species. The Salmonfly is recreationally important to anglers who target its annual emergence for some of the best fishing of the year. While the Gunnison River supports robust populations of Salmonflies in the Gunnison Gorge NCA, the range of this stonefly has declined in the upper Gunnison as well as numerous other rivers across the western U.S. This presentation will discuss the ecology and life history of Salmonflies, their importance to the Gunnison River and Gunnison Gorge, and explore their habitat requirements and possible reasons for their decline in range and numbers in Colorado and beyond.
This event is free and open to the public.
About the speaker
Dan Kowalski is an aquatic research scientist with Colorado Parks and Wildlife working on stream ecology and cold water sportfish. He received his bachelor’s degree at the Pennsylvania State University in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences and his Master’s degree in Fishery Biology from Colorado State University and has been with CPW since 2003.