Known from the Borax Lake and outflows (Alvord basin) in Harney County, Oregon. Common in extremely small range (Ref. 86798). The thermal waters feeding Borax Lake face a long-term threat from geothermal energy deelopment. The protection afforded by the U.S. Endangered Species Act has greatly curtailed exploratory drilling for geothermal energy development by creation of a zone of no surface disturbance around the most sensitive habitats. The recovery plan for this species (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1987) provided the following recommendations: (1) permanent protection by acquisition of private lands in the 260 ha habitat area, (2) closure of the critical habitat to vehicle, livestock,mining and energy development activities, (3) restoration of Lower Borax Lake and adjacent marshes, and (4) monitoring of fish, ivertebrate, and habitat characteristics (Ref. 26179).

Status of threat: endangered; status declined since 1989. Criteria: 1,5 (http://fisc.er.usgs.gov/afs/) (Ref. 81264).