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Recovery Program annual report details research, propagation, education, water release projects completed in 1989 By Angela Kantola Assistant Director, Recovery Program U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Denver Nearly 40 projects were completed through the Recovery Implementation Program in 1989 with a budget of $2,324,700. Preliminary recommendations for in-stream flows on the Yampa and Colorado rivers were among the projects completed. On the Yampa River, the Service developed interim quantitative flow recommendations calling for maintenance of high peak spring flows and low stable flows for the rest of the year. For the IS-mile reach of the Colorado, the SelVice recommended preserving 95 percent of the important habitat for endangered fish during July, August and September. This would require flows of 700 to 1,200 cubic feet per second. Other significant accomplishments included: . Completion of biological and hydrological studies that will fonn the basis of a biological opinion on the operation of Flaming Gorge Dam. . Implementation of an endangered fish propagation and genetics plan. . Development of an information and education program. . Studies to clarify the taxonomy of the .Gi!ll (chub) fishes. . Summer release of water from Ruedi ReselVoir to supplement flows in the l5-mile reach of the Colorado River. . Stocking and monitoring Colorado squawfish in Kenney Reservoir in Colorado. . Biological and hydrological studies that will be used to develop a San Juan River fishery management plan. . Laboratory studies of the effects of size, condition and fat content on over-winter survival of "young-of-the-year" Colorado squawfish. . Draft management plan for razorback suckers. . Continuation of studies to determine predation and competition of non-native warm. water spon fish on the rare and endangered fish. For a copy of the annual repon, contact the Recovery Implementation Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 25486, Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colo., 80225. Before releasing this humpback chub, biologists examine the fish to determine Its physical condition. Photographs of the fish are used In chub Identification studies. Squawfish, humpback chub use Little Snake only dUrilYJ high flows, researchers find Humpback chub and Colorado squawfish appear to use the Little Snake River only from late April through June, periods of high water, according to researchers at the Colorado State, University Larval Fish Laboratory. Squawfish appear to be attracted to the wanner waters and food. Humpback chub may move into the canyon of the lower Little Snake in search of suitable habitats. Humpback prefer habitats with turbulent currents, and they probably leave the Little Snake when water flows slow to a trickle during late summer and early fall. However, other native fish, such as flanneImouth sucker, bluehead sucker and roundtail chub, reproduce in the Little Snake and survive periods of low flow by remaining in pools of up to 10 feet deep. Such pools are cut by the river during high-flow periods. Based on these findings, considerations should be given to protecting the Little Snake for native fish use, advise researchers Ed Wick and John Hawkins. Funher study of this and other tributaries to the Upper Basin will help determine the importance of these rivers to native fish. The Recovery Program for the Endangered Fish of the Upper Colorado River Basin is a 15- year, multi-agency program to re.establish naturally reproducing populations of Colorado squawfish, humpback chub, bony tail chub and razorback sucker. The program is working to recover these species and find ways for water development to proceed. This newsletter is published twice a year. To be placed on the mailing list or to submit anicles, contact Connie Young, Editor, Recovery Program Newsletter, Colorado Division of Wildlife, 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216 (303) 291.7322. 2