WSP11999

• File Number: 8220.102.01.I
• Description: Aspinall ‎(AKA Curecanti)‎
• State: CO
• Basin: Gunnison
• Water Division: 4
• Date: 1/1/1992
• Title: Scopes of Work - Endangered Fish Program as Related to Aspinall
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

.'1

e.c
'~

NO: ~ - I
(for MC use)

RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM
FOR THE ENDANGERED FISH SPECIES
IN THE UPPER COLORADO RIVER BASIN

FY-1992
SCOPE-OF-WORK
RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Lead Agency: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Colorado Riyer Fishery Project
Submitted by: Frank K. Pfeifer, Project Leader
Bob D. Burdick, Fishery Biologist
Address: 529 25 1/2 Road, Suite B-ll0
Grand Junction, Colorado 81505
Phone: [phone]
Date: 10 May 1991

CateQorv (check one):
Ongoing project
X Requested new start
Unsolicited project
Outside funding

I. Title of Proposal: ASPINALL STUDY--Ichthyofaunal survey (with emphasis on
distribution and abundance of rare and endangered fish) in the Gunnison
River from Delta, Colorado to the Redlands Diversion.

II. Relationship to Recovery Program/Ranking Factors:

This study would provide current information on the distribution and
abundance of wild rare and endangered fish in the Gunnison Riyer above the
Redlands Diversion. Between 1979 and 1981, Valdez caught sixteen adult
Colorado squawfish in the Gunnison River; Holden reported a gravid female
razorback sucker collected at River mile 55.0 in 1981; Grand Junction CRFP
office collected a larval squawfish just below Redlands Diversion Dam in
1986. Current information on the distribution and abundance of rare and
endangered fish above Redlands Diversion would be advantageous for
planning future recovery efforts in the Gunnison River. This information
would also be useful if a fish passage facility was to be constructed at
the Redlands Diversion Dam. Current information on the status and trends
of the rare fishes of the Gunnison River is needed as part of the Aspinall
Unit consultation process. To reduce costs and sampling duplication this
study should be tied to the FWS study evaluating previously stocked fish.

III. Study Goals, Objectives, End Product

A. Characterize present fish community, including rare and endangered
fish, in Gunnison River, Delta, Colorado to Redlands Diversion with
methodologies that will allow comparison to past survey data (USFWS,
1979-81, CDOW 1977-82).

B. Evaluate potential spawning of Colorado squawfish in Gunnison River
above Redlands utilizing radiotelemetry studies.