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<br />2 <br /> <br />CLARKSON ET AL. <br /> <br />habitats during the course of the fishes' evoIutionary history. We emphasize that the <br />presence of predatory and competitory non-native fishes has contributed to, and indeed is a <br />descriptor of, this habitat degradation. <br /> <br />Our 'objectives ,for enhancement of nativefish.populations in Grand Canyon incIude: (1) <br />promote successfuI reproduction in the CoIorado River and its tributaries; (2) increase <br />sUlVival of early life stages; (3) increase recruitment to aduIt, reproducing segments of <br />populations, and; (4) minimize detrimental effects (competition, predation) of non-native <br />fishes. Complete restoration of the native fauna must include reintroduction of those species <br />eliminated from the system following closure of Glen Canyon Dam. <br /> <br />. <br />, <br /> <br />Stmcture of the Document-To allow managers and administrators with limited time and <br />training in fisheries science the opportunity to consider our arguments, we begin this <br />document with a relatively brief section that makes recommendations for the operational <br />elements of hydrology, water temperature, and sediment. Hydrology initially is considered <br />independently, because there are restrictions to any near term modification of the other <br />elements that neCessarily are imposed by the need for environmental compliance, further <br />studies, planning, engineering, and construction of a muIti-Ievel intake structure or means <br />of sediment' augmentation. We assume that future annual water delivery will continue to <br />conform to Colorado River ~mpact.aIIocation of at least 8.23 million acre-feet. We stress <br />th;I.~bydroIogy, water temperature, and, sediment were inextricably related environmental <br />varia.ples ll(, the evolutionary ~ry of the native fishes. Failure to adequately recognize <br />theSe interrelationships and integrate them into future operations of Glen Canyon Dam has <br />been a major contributor to the recent impasse in selection of a pref~ alternative. <br /> <br />. '.' : ~ .-~ ,"':. :.' : <br />For~ thosereaders with the_time and 'training to critically evaluate .~ui :reasoning. and -. . <br />judg~ent, we provide a subsequent, more lengthy background section. This section provides <br />the basis for our position, which is rooted in scientific literature, unpublished results of <br />ongo,ing studies, arid our combined expC:riences with fishes and aquatic ecosystems in the <br />GraJ!d. Canyoll and elsewhere..- . , . . <br /> <br />StoIement of the Problem-The closure in 1963 of GIen Canyon Dam on the CoIorado River <br />above Grand Canyon drastically aItered hydroIogical, physical; and biological functions and <br />cl1lUacteristics of the downstream riverine ecosystem (Carothers et aI. 1980, Maddux et aI. <br />1987, Andrews 1991, Blinn andCoIe 1991, Carothers and Brown 1991. Minckley 1991, <br />Stanford and Ward 1991). Flow patterns were modified dramatically froin pre-dam <br />conditions; a predictabIe pattern of seasonal flow variation was replaced 'by one of daily <br />. di~harge fluctuations. Large reductions in the amount of sedimenttransjlorted through Glen <br />and Grand canyons occurred with entrapm~nt of tens of millions of tonS annually in upper <br />reaches of Lake Powell. Cold water re1~ from the depths of Lake Powell aItered <br /> <br />. <br />. <br />