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<br />Platania. Dudley, and Maruca. 2000. Drift of Fishes in the San Juan River 199[-1997.
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<br />relatively constant at Mexican Hat during this study. Daily maximum channel catfish CPUE levels
<br />were higher in 1995 and 1996 than previons years but peaked in 1997 at almost three-times the
<br />previous maximum level.
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<br />Relationship of Annual Drifi CPUE and Flow Regime
<br />Seven hydrograph variables were determilled from gauge information taken from Four
<br />Comers, New Mexico, and Bluff, Utah (near Mexican Hat) statiolls (Table 4). In general. 1991 and
<br />1996 were low-flow years, 1992 and 1994 were periods of moderate flow on the San Juan River, and
<br />1993,1995, and 1997 were high-flow years (Figure 12). Flow exceeded 10,000 cfs only in 1993.
<br />1995, and 1997. The peak flows in 1993 were only about 85% of those recorded in 1995 or 1997. but
<br />1993 had more days with mean daily discharge above 2,500 (and especially 5,000 cfs) than any other
<br />year. In contrast, the number of high flow days in 1996 was exceptionally small not only during the
<br />spring runoff but also during the summer spawning period. Peak discharge in 1996 did not exceed
<br />4,000 cfs at either Four Comers or Bluff, and there were about twice as many days below 500 cfs as
<br />was recorded during the next driest year. Althongh peak flows in 1994 were 10,000 cfs at Four
<br />Comers, there were a moderate number of days when flow was <500 cfs. While trends in high and
<br />low-flow years were mirrored at both sites, peak flows at Bluff did not exhibit the magnitude or
<br />duration of those observed at Four Comers.
<br />While there was a high level of intercorrelation among the hydrograph variables examined
<br />(Table 5) there were a number of variable pairs (at both locations) that were not significantly
<br />correlated. At Four Comers, number of days with average discharge greater than 5,000 cfs was not
<br />significantly correlated with days greater than 8,000 cfs, days greater than 10.000 cfs, or days less
<br />than 1.000 cfs. The number of days greater than 10,000 cfs was significantly correlated with only
<br />days greater than 8,000 and days less than 1,000 cfs. Number of days with discharge less than 500
<br />cfs was not correlated with days greater than 8,000 and 10,000 cfs. Generally. nnmber of days less
<br />than 500 (or 1,000) cfs and greater than 8.000 (or 10,000) cfs are measures of different phenomena,
<br />the former being more influenced by precipitation during the winter and spring while the latter is
<br />more affected by precipitation during summer. Correlatioll among variables for Bluff exhibited the
<br />samc general pattern as observed at Four Comers. Number of days with average discharge less than
<br />500 cfs was not significantly correlated with days greater than 5,000 cfs or days less than 1,000 cfs.
<br />The absence in variation in Colorado pikeminnow larval density over the seven years
<br />precluded its illclusion in this analysis. Drift density of red shiner, channel catfish, and speckled dace
<br />were examined with hydrograph variables to determine if there were significant correlations.
<br />Correlation coefficients for two sites and two measures of catch rate (mean annual and maximum
<br />daily CPUE) were contrasted with each of the seven hydrograph variables and resulted in 84
<br />correlation coefficients and correspollding hypothesis tests.
<br />None of the correlation coefficients for red shiner CPUE and hydrograph variables were
<br />significantly different from zero. Several of the correlation coefficients for channel catfish and
<br />speckled dace were significantly different from zero. For channel catfish at Four Comers, mean
<br />annnal CPUE was negatively correlated with number of days discharge was greater than 2,500 cfs
<br />and 5,000 cfs, and positively correlated with number of days discharge was less than 500 cfs (Figure
<br />13). Maximum daily channel catfish CPUE was negatively correlated with maximum discharge and
<br />munber of days discharge was greater than 2,500 cfs, and also positively correlated with number of
<br />days discharge was less than 500 cfs (Figure 14). For channel catlish at Mexican Hat, only the
<br />correlation coefficient for mean annual CPUE and number of days discharge was greater than 10,000
<br />cfs was significant (Figure 15).
<br />For speckled dace at Four Comers, mean annual CPUE was positively correlated with
<br />number of days discharge was greater than 10,000 cfs (Figure 16). Maximum daily CPUE was
<br />positively correlated with maximum discharge, number of days above 8,000 cfs, and nnmber of days
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