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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This wintertime field investigation was logistically and technically very difficult. The persistently cold weather, frequent storms, and shortened day length from November through March turned routine fish collection and monitoring procedures into monumental tasks. Aerial telemetry had to be scheduled between storms, but the quickly-changing weather sometimes brought wind and snow squalls that made low-elevation tracking a .bouncy ordeal'. Ground telemetry was also hampered by deep snow and mud on access roads, and boat launches frequently had to be cleared of piles of broken ice. When river ice made travel hy hoat impossible, fish locations had to be accessed on cross country skis, often over thin and unstable conditions. Also, with temperatures as low as 20"F below zero, keeping instruments and equipment in working order became a major task. These wintertime conditions elevated our awareness for human safety as a top priorty. Meeting the ohjectives of this investigation while maintaining a complete safety awareness could not have possibly been accomplished without the support and assistance of many individuals and agencies to whom we are greatly indebted. Mr. Bob Williams was the Contract Officer's Technical Representative for the BOR and provided administrative and technical as..t;istance, as well as valuable comments on the Draft Report. Ms. Sharon Tully assisted in electrofishing and radiotagging the fish, and Mr. Mike Pucherelli provided aerial photographs of the river for habitat mapping. Dr. Harold Tyus, project leader for the FWS/CRFP, Vemal Station, was Technical Field Liaison. He provided us with rersonnel, equipment, and technical assistance on radiotelemetry, as well as comments on Hie Draft Report. Ms. Lydia Trinca and Mr. Steve Lanigan assisted with field and logistical support, and also commented on the Draft Report. Ms. Kathy Paulin gave us technical advise on data collection and management, and Messrs. Rex Roberg and Mike McCleod assisted in capturing and radiutagging the fish. We wish to thank Mr. Dennis Huffman, Superintendent of Dinosaur National Monument, as well as Mr. Steve Petersburg, for their logistic support, access to field facilities, and granting of scientific collecting and boaling permits. Also we would like to thank personnel of the Ouray National Wildlife Refuge, especially Refuge Manager Keith Hansen, for their cooperation throughout the study, including access to boat launch sites. Messrs. Myron Chase, Larry Crist, and Glen Doster of BIO/WEST conducted most of the winter tracking and habitat measurements. Sincere appreciation is extended to these individuals for their unrelenting efforts during inclement weather and difficult river conditions, and for their perseverance in insuring accurate information on the winter habitat of these fish. Other BIOIWEST personnel involved in the field work were Ron Ryel, Blaise Chanson, Bryan Cowdell, and Chris Donaldson. Drs. Roy Hugie and Paul Holden were the principal pilots for aerial telemetry. Their skill. judgement, and experience enabled us to reduce our ground search time and establish an effective aerial search routine. xiii