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2 <br />brates in the Green River Below Flaming Gorge Dam, 1963-1965", prepared by <br />William D: Pearson, and the other was a Ph.D. thesis, "Ecological Studies <br />of Native Green River Fishes Below Flaming Gorge Dam, 1964-1966", prepared <br />by C. David Vanicek. Copies of the two theses accompany this report and <br />contain most of the data utilized in formulation of conclusions. <br />Since the closure of Flaming Gorge Dam in 1962, the ecology of the Green <br />River has changed significantly-from the dam to the mouth of the Yampa Rives, <br />65 miles downstream. Seasonal fluctuations in flow are reduced, daily <br />fluctuations in flow are increased, water temperatures are lower in summer <br />and higher in winter,-and turbidity is reduced. The flow of the Yampa River <br />has retained its pre-1962 characteristics and moderates the environment of <br />the Green River ;such that all species of fish present in the Green River be- <br />fore impoundment are still present below the mouth of the Yampa. <br />Only four of the nine indigenous species present in the study area <br />were found in the Green River above the mouth of the Yampa in post-impound- <br />ment years. The flannelmouth sucker (Catostomus latipinnis), bluehead sucker <br />(Pantosteus delphinus , Tspeckled dace (Rhinichthys osculus), and Colorado <br />chub Gila robusta) were found in these waters,.and were more abundant when <br />the discharge from the dam was reduced for extended periods and water tempera- <br />tures rose to pre-impoundment levels. During years when discharge was high, <br />water temperatures were below spawning thresholds, and none of the native <br />species were known to have spawned successfully in the Green River above the <br />mouth of the Yampa River. Growth rates of Color?? da o sauawfi =, Ptychocheilus <br />lucius, and Colorado chub were studied in detail, and growth of both species <br />decreased greatly in the years following the closure of Flaming Gorge Dam. <br />Introduced rainbow trout have replaced the native fishes in the cold clear <br />water below Flaming Gorge Dam. <br />Species_ -compQSi.tio of sZxeam_invertebrates h r pnge ,xi4, x4e_first, 40- <br />odd miles below Flaming Gorge Dam. Dominant forms in this area are important <br />trout-food organisms which are adapted to.life in the cold clear tailwaters. <br />Species present downstream from this area are similar to those reported in pre- <br />impoundment years with one exception: a stonefly, Classenia sabulosa, which <br />was found occasionally before impoundment but was not collected in 1964-1965. <br />It _is -found,- ho-we_uer,_ _in__several .other intermountain. waters _., <br />MATERIALS, METHODS, AND PROCEDURES <br />During the 4-year study, 667 fish collections containing 24,040 fish <br />were made: 28 collections in 1963 by the late Dr. D. R. Franklin, and the <br />remainder by C. David Vanicek in 1964-1966 (Table 1). Most of the collections <br />were made with seines and gill nets. Four-hundred-seventy-four bottom samples <br />were taken in 1963-1965. Detailed descriptions of materials, methods, and <br />proc.edures utilized are contained in the appended theses.