Species Profile
Environmental Conservation Online System

Utah Valvata snail (Valvata utahensis)

Kingdom: Animalia
Class: Gastropoda
Order: Heterostropha
Family: Valvatidae

Listing Status:   

General Information

The Utah (desert) valvata snail (Valvata utahensis) is a small freshwater gastropod found primarily in the main stem Snake River of Idaho. The shell has up to four whorls (curls or turns in the shell) and reaches a maximum size of about 4 millimeters. The lifespan of the Utah valvata snail is about one year. Populations of the species vary largely across its range. The Utah valvata snail was listed as an endangered species on December 14, 1992 due to threats from proposed hydroelectric development, operation of existing hydroelectric dams, degraded water quality, diversion of water for irrigation and aquaculture, lack of regulatory protections for spring habitats, and invasion of the introduced New Zealand mudsnail. In 1995 the Service described the distribution of the Utah valvata at Snake River mile 585, just below the Thousand Springs Preserve, to Snake River mile 709, just below American Falls Dam. Recent surveys indicate the species is now known to be more widespread than thought at the time of listing, and it is tolerant of a variety of habitat conditions such as reservoirs, springs and riverine habitats without spring influence. The species occurs on a variety of substrate types, and has been collected at a range of water depths and temperatures. Today, it is known to occur in the Snake River from RM 585 to the confluence of the South Fork and Henry’s Fork, Snake River at RM 837. The species is also known from portions of Box Canyon Creek and the Big Wood River in southern Idaho.

Lead Region:  Pacific Region (Region 1)
Date Listed: Dec 14, 1992

  • This population has been proposed for delisting
  • States/US Territories in which the Utah Valvata snail is known to occur:  Idaho
  • US Counties in which the Utah Valvata snail is known to occur:  View All

» Federal Register Documents

Most Recent Federal Register Documents (Showing 4 of 4 )
Date Citation Page Title
07/16/2009 74 FR 34539 34548 12-Month Finding on a Petition To Remove the Utah (Desert) Valvata Snail (Valvata utahensis) From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Proposed Rule
06/06/2007 72 FR 31264 31268 90-Day Finding on a Petition To Remove the Utah (Desert) Valvata Snail (Valvata utahensis) from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
12/14/1992 57 FR 59244 59257 ETWP; Determination of Endangered or Threatened Status for Five Aquatic Snails in South Central Idaho; 57 FR 59244 59257
12/18/1990 55 FR 51931 51936 ETWP; Proposed Endangered Status for Five Idaho Aquatic Snails; 55 FR 51931 51936

» Recovery

Recovery Plan Information Search
Current Recovery Plan(s)
Date Title Plan Action Status Plan Status
11/26/1995 Snake River Aquatic Species Recovery Plan View Implementation Progress Final
Other Recovery Documents (Showing 1 of 1 )
Date Citation Page Title Document Type
07/16/2009 74 FR 34539 34548 12-Month Finding on a Petition To Remove the Utah (Desert) Valvata Snail (Valvata utahensis) From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Proposed Rule
  • Notice 12 month petition finding, Warranted
  • Proposed Delisting, Erroneous data
    • Five Year Review
    Date Title
    07/13/2009 Utah Valvata 5-Year Review

    » Critical Habitat

    No critical habitat rules have been published for the Utah Valvata snail.

    » Conservation Plans

    No conservation plans have been created for Utah Valvata snail

    » Petitions

    Most Recent Petition Findings (Showing 2 of 2 )
    Date Citation Page Title Finding
    07/16/2009 74 FR 34539 34548 12-Month Finding on a Petition To Remove the Utah (Desert) Valvata Snail (Valvata utahensis) From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Proposed Rule
  • Notice 12 month petition finding, Warranted
  • Proposed Delisting, Erroneous data
    • 06/06/2007 72 FR 31264 31268 90-Day Finding on a Petition To Remove the Utah (Desert) Valvata Snail (Valvata utahensis) from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
  • Notice 90-day Petition Finding, Substantial

    • » Life History

    No Life History information has been entered into this system for this species.

    » Other Resources

    NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

    ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world.

    Last updated: February 9, 2010