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<br />As an alternate hatchery site, Fish Springs should be considered. The <br />Springs are the ideal temperature for warm-water fish growth, and have <br />more than enough water for the raceway culture of Colorado River fishes. <br />Further, the soils appear to hold water well and should be suitable for <br />construction of earthen ponds. This site would be ideal for accelerating <br />the growth of both Colorado squawfish and chubs by year-round culture in <br />raceways. Moreover, year-round egg production may be possible. Draw- <br />backs to the Fish Springs site are its remote location and possible <br />difficulties in preforming studies there. <br /> <br />The Fish Springs site needs to be evaluated by engineering, along with <br />Ouray in FY 1984. Concurrently, a fish culture study should be performed <br />at Fish Springs to test the survival and growth of the Colorado River <br />fishes in flow-thru systems, and to confirm that the spring water can <br />support them. Because of fairly high levels of TDS some problems may <br />exist. A fish cultural study should also be performed at Ouray, to test <br />the practicality of siting a fish hatchery there. If both these sites <br />are found to be unacceptable for engineering, biological or other reasons, <br />sites on the lower Colorado River should be considered. The following <br />outline is the sequence of events proposed for FY 1984. <br /> <br />Recommendations for FY 1984 <br /> <br />A. Engineering evaluations of Ouray and Fish Springs NWRs. Man <br />Years-l.O <br /> <br />Oct-Nov--Topographi~al surveys, core drilling and soils analysis <br />(contract) <br /> <br />Dec-i1ar--Development of alternative conceptual hatchery designs <br />with respective cost analyses. <br /> <br />Apr-July--Report to the Regional Director with recommendations. <br />Decision by Regional Director to construct a hatchery at <br />Ouray or Fish Springs. <br /> <br />July-Sept--Conduct well exploration. (Contract) <br /> <br />B. Fish culture study at Fish Springs NWR. No. of man years-O.6 <br /> <br />Apr-May--Plan and install an experimental flow-thru system of fish <br />rearing tanks with refuge and CRFP personnel. Hire a <br />temporary FWS employee for 6 months to raise fish and <br />maintain facilities or contract with USU or another party <br />to conduct these tests. <br /> <br />June-Sept--Receive 10,000 Golorado squawfish sac-fry and/or advanced <br />fry from Dexter NFH. Determine percent survival and <br />growth. Report findings. <br /> <br />22 <br />