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<br />r <br /> <br />introduction and establishment of over 30 species of nonnative fishes has altered the <br />ichthyofaunal assemblage (Tyus et al. 1982). In spite of these changes, the study area <br />supports the largest known population of razorback sucker occupying natural riverine <br />habitat (Modde et al. 1996). <br />Experiments on growth and survival of immature fish were conducted in wetlands <br />and backwaters on the Ouray National Wildlife Refuge (ONWR). Sheppard and Leota <br />Bottoms and Old Charley Wash are natural class IV wetlands (Cowardin et al. 1979) <br />adjacent to the Green River channel between river kilometers 402 and 418 (Figure 2). <br />Artificial dikes have been constructed around each wetland to maintain water during the <br />low flow period in the summer. Water from the Green River was delivered to wetlands <br />by gravity flow, pumping, or, as in the case of Old Charley Wash (Woods Bottom), over- <br />dike flooding. <br /> <br />CHAPTER ONE: Distribution and movement of adult razorback sucker <br /> <br />METHODS <br /> <br />Distribution and movement of adult and subadult razorback sucker were <br />evaluated by two methods: 1) review of the Colorado River Fish Project (U.S. Fish and <br />Wildlife Service, Vernal, Utah), and Recovery Implementation Program Standardized <br />Monitoring Program razorback sucker capture database to determine fish locations and <br />habitat-use patterns in 1975-1992 (specific collections in 1991 and 1992 were made at <br />tributary mouths at weekly intervals), and 2) use of radio telemetry to determine <br />patterns of fish movement during the spring. All CRFP capture data for razorback <br />sucker during April-June were compiled and examined by river kilometer to determine <br />fish locations before, during and after spawning in 1975-1992. Distances moved were <br />measured upstream from the confluence of the Green and the Colorado River. Fish <br />found in tributaries (e.g. Duchesne and Yampa rivers and Ashley Creek) were <br />referenced to the river kilometer at the mouth of each tributary on the Green River. <br /> <br />Between 30 April and 11 May, 1993, seven male razorback sucker were <br />collected from suspected spawning locations and implanted with 24-month (25 g) <br />internal antenna radio transmitters (manufactured by AVM). Five fish were collected <br />from the Escalante spawning area (adjacent to Escalante Ranch, RK 492-501, the <br />upper reach of which has been referred to as the Jensen site by Tyus 1987), one from <br />the Yampa River spawning site (RK 0.3 on the Yampa River), and one from the lower <br />reach of Island Park in the Green River (RK 531.6). All fish were positively identified <br />as males by either expression of milt or heavy tuberculation ofthe anal and caudal fins. <br />The fish ranged from 464 to 520 mm in total length and weighed between 1,120 and <br />1,600 g. Transmitters were surgically implanted into the abdominal cavity and fish were <br />released into the river within 10 to 20 minutes after surgery. During the spring, <br />summer, and fall of 1993, fish were located with radio receivers at approximately <br /> <br />11 <br />