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33 <br />suggest that, as larvae grow, they tend to drift or move downstream to <br />the confluence of the Yampa and Green rivers and on down the Green <br />River. <br />General Habitat Use <br />The habitats used by radiotelemetered Colorado squawfish in the <br />Yampa River varied considerably throughout the study period (April to <br />November). This coincides with observations of Miller et al. (1982b) <br />and Holden and Wick (1982), who also noted seasonal variations in <br />habitat use. River-specific variations in habitat use were also noted <br />by Miller (1983b). <br />In general, habitat use by Colorado squawfish appears related to <br />flow and habitat availability in a given river reach. The Upper Yampa <br />River above Cross Mountain Canyon is an area of diverse habitats. For <br />example, canyon areas near Duffy Mountain (river km 172, mile 106.8) and <br />Juniper Canyon (river km 147, mile 91.3) provide deep pool habitats for <br />Colorado squawfish at low flows, while several small tributary streams <br />form backwater habitats, which are used at high flow. This river reach <br />also contains several man-made backwaters, created by diking.off the <br />upper end of former side channels. These habitats, at river km 159, <br />155, 103 and 97, are open to the river and used by squawfish at high <br />water. Squawfish leave these habitats as water levels recede. Island <br />areas also provide diverse habitats for squawfish at both high and low <br />flow levels. During high flow, squawfish are often located in eddies <br />below island tips and in shallow, low-velocity areas with vegetated <br />shoreline. During low flows, squawfish are often located in backwaters <br />formed by former sidechannels or in channel runs at island areas.