7332

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7332
• Author: Valdez, R. A., et al.
• Title: Final Report Habitat Suitability Index Curves for Endangered Fishes of the Upper Colorado River Basin.
• USFW Year: 1987.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I

The species experts involved in this study raised many questions
concerning the use of the existing temperature model simulations and physical
habi tat/hydraulic simulations. Most of the concern has resulted from the.
independent nature by which the research activities have been carried out and a
general lack of understanding of the integration of information from the
hydrology, temperature, habitat, and species components. The concerns of the
species experts have led to a series of recommendations which should now drive
future instream flow activities. Discussions between the fishery researchers
and those responsible for the hydrology, temperature ,and physical habitat
simulations must now take place and be integrated. on-the-ground sampling
procedures must be designed to assure complete compatibility among the various
models.

Upper-level managers and decisionmakers must be patient and understand
that these mid-course adjustments are an important part of the process and are
to be expected given the meager understanding of the life history and habitat
requirements of these fishes when the modeling effort was initiated. However,
enough knowledge has been gained by the fisheries researchers to guide the
water routing, temperature, and physical habi tat simulation efforts.
Therefore, immediate attention should be given to the following:

1. Hydrology modelers should meet with the fishery researchers to determine
at what critical points weekly or even daily flow time steps are needed
and for what periods of the year.

2. This should be followed by interaction with the temperature modelers to
provide the capability for weekly and daily temperature simulations.

3. The existing physical habitat sampling sites should be modified to reflect
the habitat needs that are critical at those sites and in some cases the
existing sites may need to be completely abandoned and replaced. New
microhabi tat sampling procedures which are compatible with the habitat
needs of the fish as defined by the fishery researchers, must be described
and implemented immediately.

4. The database produced from this contract effort should be continually
updated and the sampling and research efforts rescoped to ensure that
habitat suitability information is of the highest quality and is applied
in a valid, scientifically supportable manner.

Clair B. Stalnaker
Chief, Aquatic Systems Branch
National Ecology Center
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Fort Collins, Colorado

iii