Laserfiche WebLink
<br />strata. Correlation analysis suggested that depth, wetted width, and velocity explained the greatest <br />variability in stream morphology among all strata. A linear regression was used to estimate the point at <br />which decreases in flow caused the greatest habitat change in each channel within eachmesohabitat (i.e., <br />run, riffle, or pool). The point of the regression curve where the greatest rate of decrease in stream <br />channel variables occurred with flow was identified as the curve break. Each habitat variable (wetted <br />width, depth, velocity, etc.) was plotted against low flow scenarios (1 to 300 cfs) identifying where the <br />largest residual occurred in the graph (i.e., the greatest difference between regression line values and the <br />corresponding actual data points). The curve break, indicated the specific flow (cfs) that a given habitat <br />variable (e.g. width, depth, etc.) declined at the greatest rate per mesohabitat type. Analysis of variance <br />indicated that no differences in the curve break flows for riffles was detected among strata, therefore, the <br />entire study area could be considered a single reach for purposes of the flow recommendation. Because <br />riffles are the most sensitive mesohabitat type to changes in flow, their importance to foraging behavior of <br />pikeminnow, and their role in invertebrate production, they were emphasized relative to development of <br />flow recommendations. <br /> <br />Flows identified by curve breaks were within a fairly narrow range both within and among mesohabitat <br />types. The mean curve break flow for riffles, 93 cfs, was somewhat higher than the flow for runs and <br />pools. The curve break flow for suspected nocturnal foraging pikeminnow was 88 cfs, which suggests that <br />the 93 cfs will also maintain adequate foraging habitat for endangered Colorado pikeminnow in the upper <br />strata. Curve breaks generated from estimates of weighted useable area were similar to, but, somewhat <br />higher than the mean generated from channel variables. <br /> <br />Habitat Use <br /> <br />Radio telemetry observations showed that Colorado pikeminnow in the Yampa River above Yampa <br />Canyon exhibited different behaviors during day and night. After sunset, pikeminnow moved actively <br />within a discrete habitat (e.g. pool, run or riffle) suspected to be foraging-related movements within or to <br />another discrete habitat. In 1996, a low baseflow year, radio-tagged fish remained within the habitat unit <br />(pool or run) where they were observed during the daylight hours. After sunset, fish either actively <br />moved over the entire habitat or moved to the upstream or downstream interface with the adjoining <br />habitat. In 1997, an extremely high baseflow year, fish showed similar diel activity behavior as in 1996. <br />Fish were most active after sunset and exhibited what appeared to be a foraging behavior. Some of the <br />fish remained within a discrete habitat while other fish were observed to move to another habitat during <br />this apparent foraging behavior. Two of the fish observed in 1997 did move through several discrete <br /> <br />10 <br />