9683

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9683
• Author: Valdez, R. A.
• Title: a Survey of Fish Collections in the White River, Utah.
• USFW Year: 1984.
• USFW - Doc Type: Logan, UT.
• Copyright Material: NO

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14

River at low numbers. The similar trends in fish sample sites and number of
Colorado squawfish caught also suggests a relationship between effort dnd
catch (Figure 1). Data from the 1983 field season are not available, but
preliminary reports indicate additional squawfish were caught.
Tagging and radiotelemetry studies of the Colorado squawfish strongly
suggest that the species moves freely between the White River and the Green
River. Squawfish have been tracked from the Green River up the White River
well into Colorado (Miller et ale 1982). There is, however, no evidence
that the species spawns in the White River, i.e. no larvae or
young-of-the-year have been recovered. The species does spawn in another
nearby tributary of the Green -- the Yampa River.

DISCUSSION
All available fishery data of the White River in Utah from 1974 to 1982
have been assi~ilated into this analysis to assess the thoroughness of the
data and its use in determining species composition and distribution. The
first subsection of this discussion explores the feasibility of using fishes
in the White River as a tool to monitor possible effects of the shale oil
operation. The second subsection addresses the issue of endangered fishes
in the White River and the potential impacts of the shale oil operation.