Rare fish released

LA VERKIN, Washington County — Biologists released 3,000 endangered woundfin into the Virgin River as part of an effort to reintroduce the rare fish.

The Thursday release was the second one this month. Previously, 1,500 Virgin River chub were released into the river, which winds through Washington County in southern Utah.

Amos Rehm, a fish biologist with the Utah Department of Natural Resources, says woundfin and other fish have suffered because of invasive species as well as human pressures such as development and water use.

Rehm says a plan to pump irrigation water from reservoirs back upstream should keep water levels higher for the fish.

Steve Meismer, area coordinator for the Virgin River Program, says a count of fish populations in a 16-mile section of the river is planned in April.