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0008~J Phase I of the Platte River Management Joint study (Joint Study) addresses endangered species resources. This review was necessarily conducted with a view toward the river as an ecosystem. In the context of the Endangered Species Act, conservation of the Platte River as an ecosystem on which endangered species depend is considered to be the overall purpose of a prescribed flow regime. Phase I of the Joint study is confined to endangered species resources in the central Platte River from Lexington to Chapman, Nebraska, and the scope of this review is limited to endangered species resources in that river reach. It should be noted however, that terns and plover occupy ranges particularly downstream of that segment, and we recommend that those reaches also be considered in flow determinations for those species. WHOOPING CRANES Whooping crane migrational habitat along the Platte River consists of two important habitat components, channel roosting habitat and wet meadow habitat. The two components should be considered inseparable in the overall management of migration habitat in the Platte Valley. In terms of water management, however, the administrative actions needed to protect and maintain flows for each of the two resources may differ and flow targets for the two resources are addressed separately. Whoooina Crane Wet Meadow habitat It is assumed that the biological values necessary to fulfill whooping cranes use of wet meadows will be maintained if the natural viability and ecology of wet meadows is protected, recovered and maintained. Characteristics of the flow regime needed to accomplish this purpose are described in the wet meadow section of this report. Channel Roostina Habitat Information available regarding whooping crane roost habitat is derived from two sources: habitat simulation models, and empirical data. Roost Habitat Simulation Roost habitat requirements of whooping cranes have been summarized by the Biology workgroup (1990). An earlY attempt to quantitatively analyze roosting conditions was produced by Currier and Eisel (1984) using aerial photographs. A primary thrust of the Biology Workgroup of the Joint Study was to quantify the value of water-dependant physical habitat variables using Suitability Index models. Habitat suitability is 2