Reclamation Information Sharing Environment (RISE)

Crayfish species are invasive in many areas within the United States. Some species have expanded their native ranges while others have been brought to new areas through human activity. The burrowing behavior of these species may be detrimental to infrastructure within the Bureau of Reclamation. There is a potential for extensive burrowing to cause embankment stability concerns, seepage, or even collapse. Reclamation began with a literature review for pertinent information on the topic of invasive crayfish. Areas of information gathered included diet and behavior, water quality and substrate preferences, burrowing behaviors, and integrated pest management options. Preliminary trapping techniques were attempted in Washington state and Colorado. Samples of species were taken to work towards an eDNA assay for crayfish. There are limits to the current literature available for management of invasive crayfish. The burrowing habits of crayfish have been summarized by species but there is not much information on behaviors when more than one species has become invasive to a waterbody. There is a need to summarize behaviors of the most common invasive crayfish species so that an overarching best management practice can be authored for use within the United States. There is a need to take actual imaging to assess the burrowing habits of crayfish using LiDAR and ground penetrating radar. The current best management practice for crayfish would include a trapping program with a release of males after sterilization is performed, removal and culling of females, and a catch and release program for predatory fish. The National Park Service at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area and Colorado Parks and Wildlife at Lake Granby are willing to partner on a multi-year project to implement the previously mentioned management practices.