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<br />I <br /> <br />25 <br /> <br />desirable flow and temperature canditions for endangered fish. Existing <br />stocks of some species of endangered fish are maintained in the Yampa River <br />because of the more acceptable flow and temperature regimens (Tyus and Karp <br />1989). Reproduction of Calorado squawfish in the lower Green River cantinues <br />because of ameliorating effects .of tributary flows, increased distance from <br />Flaming Garge Dam, and past cooperative efforts by Reclamation in providing <br />flows beneficial ta maintenance of the rare fish. However, bony tail chub <br />(which are near extirpatian from the Upper Colorado River Basin) and razorback <br />suckers (which have had virtually no recruitment) have continued to decline <br />since t~e closure of Flaming ~orge Oam. <br /> <br />Many factors influence the habitat needs of endangered and other native fish <br />in the Green River, including time of year, life history stage, and habitat <br />use of sympatric species. Flow, temperature, and other parameters associated <br />with natural spring runoff influence the reproductive activities of Colorado <br />squawfish, humpback chub, and razorback suckers. Maintenance .of low, stable <br />flows in late summer and early autumn is conducive to successful recruitment <br />in Colorada squawfish. High spring flows are believed to benefit all native <br />fish. However, the timing .of high releases is critical. The abnormally high <br />summer releases .of 1983 and 1984 fram Flaming Gorge Dam resulted in the almost <br />total loss of two year classes. Law, stable winter flows through ice breakup <br />are prabably important to overwinter survival of young and adults of native <br />species, and very high winter flows may adversely affect endangered fish and <br />could provide an undesirable winter refugium for some introduced fish. <br />Alteration of historic flow regimens directly affected razorback sucker <br />recruitment in the Green River basin as its continued survival in the wild is <br />imperiled. Humpback chub are rare in Whirlpool Canyon of the upper Green <br />River and their status and habitat needs in Desolation and Gray Canyons remain <br />relatively unknown. <br /> <br />Operation of Flaming Gorge Dam can be refined to lessen adverse impacts and to <br />aid in the survival and recovery of the endangered Colorada River fish. <br />Acceptable flows and temperatures will require twa major changes: (I) higher <br />spring releases and (2) lower, more stable warm flows during the summer and <br />autumn. <br /> <br />SDriJ!.g <br /> <br />Colorado Sauawfish <br /> <br />The presence of adult Colorado squawfish in inundated shorelines and lowlands <br />during spring runoff indicates that such behaviar, and associated feeding, may <br />offset the large energy expenditure required for migration and spawning. <br />Thus, natural flooding of lowlands in the spring and the consequent increased <br />availability of faod and resting habitat appear important in the physiological <br />readiness of adult Colorado squawfish. Migration signals the onset of the <br />reproductive cycle in Colorado squawfish, and we consider migratian cues <br />(e.g., high spring flows, increasing river temperatures, and possible chemical <br />inputs fram flooded land) important to the maintenance of successful <br />reproduction. Migration routes must be protected and barriers discouraged. <br />The duration, magnitude, and timing of spring runoff also affect preparation <br />of substrate for spawning and formation of eddy and pool habitats used by <br />