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<br />",0 <br />~ <br />r-.. <br />'~reliminary data on primary and secondary productivity and detrital abundance in run and riffle <br />2:pabitats was presented for the geomorphic reaches (Bliesner and Lamarra 1996). In both run and <br />riffle habitats, highest periphyton biomass (primary productivity) was observed in Reaches 4 and 6, <br />while invertebrate biomass (secondary productivity) was highest in Reach 8 and steadily decreased <br />with downstream distance. Benthic detritus concentrations were significantly lower in Reaches 1-3 <br />than in upper reaches (4-8). Other detailed habitat data currently being used by Bliesner and <br />Lamarra (1996) to evaluate differences in depth, velocity, and embeddedness between various habitat <br />types have not yet been analyzed based on their geomorphic reach designations. Completion of <br />these analyses should provide additional information on habitat characteristics associated with the <br />geomorphic reaches. <br /> <br />Bliesner and Lamarra (1996) also presented results of a study on cobble substrate characterization <br />where they compared substrate characteristics of suspected spawning locations in the San Juan <br />River, near RM 131-132, with substrate characteristics of known and suspected spawning areas in <br />the Yampa and Colorado rivers. They also compared substrate characteristics of suspected spawning <br />locations in the San Juan River to other locales within the system, both upstream and downstream <br />of RM 131-132. Results of comparisons between sites in the San Juan River and the Yampa and <br />Colorado rivers indicated that substrate characteristics were similar in suspected or known spawning <br />areas from all three systems, except that cobble size at the Colorado River sites was slightly larger, <br />suggesting a general suitability of the sites in the San Juan. They also found that substrate <br />characteristics of other cobble areas in the San Juan River study area, particularly upstream of RM <br />132, also appeared to be suitable for spawning, primarily due to similarities in the size of cobble and <br />depth of open interstitial space. These sites were all located in geomorphic Reach 6 between RM <br />163 and 174. At sites below RM 132, in Reach 3 between RM 76 and 89, suitability of cobble areas <br />for spawning appeared to be reduced based on less open interstitial space at the sites sampled. <br /> <br />Summary <br />Studies by Bliesner and Lamarra (1995, 1996) have provided substantial data on habitat <br />characteristics by georn<?rphic reach in the San Juan River. Their information has provided <br />thorough descriptions of macrohabitat composition, substrate characteristics, availability of low. <br />, velocity habitat, and water temperature. Some aspects of habitat quality and quantity have also been <br />related to specific geomorphic characteristics of each reach, such as gradient or landform. Other <br />habitat characteristics appear to be more related to distance downstream of Navajo Dam than to the <br />geomorphic characteristics of each reach, indicating the importance of longitudinal effects in the <br />system. Results of ongoing studies and further analysis of existing data should provide additional <br />information that can be used to assess habitat quality within each reach and refine the relationship <br />between habitat characteristics and the geomorphologic characteristics of each reach. This, in <br />addition to integration of data from other researchers useful in describing habitat characteristics of <br />the geomorphic reaches, should lead to successful completion of this objective. <br /> <br />5.2.2. Determine Changes in Channel Morphology from Historical Conditions <br />with Changes in Flow Regime. <br /> <br />Changes in channel morphology from historic conditions were investigated by Bliesner and Lamarra <br />(1994). Their investigation used cross-sectional survey data of the San Juan River floodplain <br />collected by the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission (NMISC) in 1962. Of the 23 transects <br /> <br />San Juan River Recovery Implementation Program' <br />Summary Report <br /> <br />12 <br /> <br />17 January 1997 <br />PR-576-2 <br />