Laserfiche WebLink
<br />002489 <br /> <br />and continue to decrease, reaching a low in January. In contrast, biomass of Chara contrana and <br />Potamogeton pectinatum tends to be highest in winter (Ayers and Mckinny 1996a, McKinney et <br />al1996, 1997). <br /> <br />Algal growth and discharge patterns indicate that steady flows favor recovery from disturbance <br />compared to fluctuating flows. Rapid recolonization in the Lees Ferry reach is attributed in part <br />to subsequent high steady high flows that may have promoted zoosporogenesis that occurred in <br />the splash zone following the BHBF (Shannon et al1996). <br /> <br />The BHBF had an significant immediate negative affect on the filamentous green algae: reducing <br />biomass to 15% of the total representation, but one month later had increase to 65% of the ash <br />free dry mass. Recovery time for both phytobenthos and macroinvertebrates occurred within one <br />months time for some monitoring sites. Variables affecting recovery time were light intensity <br />(i.e., clear water with no tributary inputs), and discharges that were steady flows (McKinney et al <br />1996a, 1997; Shannon et al1996). <br /> <br />Macroinvertebrates that use the algal community as a substrate follow a similar pattern of <br />productivity. There is a lag time associates with this interaction. 1995-96 data indicate that <br />macroinvertebrate biomass was lowest in February and showed an increase through September <br />(Ayers and McKinney 1996a, McKinney et al1996; Shannon et al1996). <br /> <br />Phytobenthic and zooplankton conposition has changed since the implementation of interm <br />flows. Zooplankton densities in the river were consistent throughout Grand Canyon prior to <br />Interim Flows (Haury 1988). Currently patterns show a negative correlation between <br />zooplankton density and biomas with distance from GCD (Ayers and McKinney 1996b; Shannon <br />et al1996). Variables associated with this charge are potentiallimnological changes in Lake <br />Powell and changes in the discharge pattern from 1980-86 and present. <br /> <br />Native Fish <br /> <br />Flannelmouth suckers <br /> <br />Flannelmouth sucker spawn in the spring in warm water tributaries (Paria, Little Colorado River, <br />Havasu Creek, Kanab Creek). Greatest CPUE for adult flannelmouths has occurred in the Lees <br />Ferry Reach caught most often in eddy return channel with sandy substrates and vegetation <br />present. Adults were also caught in runs with highest CPUE reported for the Lees Ferry Reach <br />and the LCR-Bright Angel Reach (Maddux et al1987). Lowest CPUE was associated with <br />boulder substrates. Sub-adults were caught most frequently in eddies and runs over sand with <br />higher CPUE when vegetation was present. Larval FMS were found inhabiting mainstem <br />backwaters and nearshore areas (tributaries) with sand/silt bottoms along with larval bluehead <br />suckers. Larval suckers drift from spawning grounds to nursery areas and larvae may drift down <br />to lower reaches to utilize those habitats as nursery and rearing areas (Thieme and McIvor 1996). <br />Overall capture oflarval FMS (ca 18 mmTL) in Grand Canyon is low. Spawning in the Lees <br />Ferry reach was documented by McKinney and Rogers (1996), but recruitment in the reach has <br />not been documented and successful recruitment is probably low due to cold water temperatures. <br />Main spawning sites are considered to be the Paria River (Theirme and McIvor 1996), LCR, <br />Kanab Creek and Havasu Creek (AGFD 1996). Return channels below National Canyon and <br />Bright Angel Creek may be important habitats for this life stage. Other critical areas include RM <br />