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<br />Importance of the IS mile reach to Colorado Squawfish <br />General importance of the 15 mile reach <br />1. 75 X of the original range of the fish has been eliminated; we must <br />preserve what remains <br />2. Colorado River population shows particular signs of being imperilled <br />o fewer larvae, YOY, and adult fish than on the Green/Xampa <br />o no confirmed spawning sites <br />3. Physical habitat conditions in the reach become highly degraded in low <br />flow years as a result of severe dewatering <br />Specific indications that the reach is important to the recovery of the <br />species <br />1. Habitat conditions in the reach appear to be good for spawning <br />o good .physical habitat exists at certain flows <br />- numerous cobble bars/riffles adjacent to deep pools <br />o temperatures are warmer than below the confluence of the Gunnison <br />- the Gunnison River is 1-2 degrees C cooler than the Colorado <br />River at the confluence (based on 1985 data) <br />- warmer temperatures in the reach may be attractive to fish <br />and results in faster maturation <br />o numerous seeps and springs throughout the reach <br />- correlated with confirmed spawning sites on the~Green/Yampa <br />- may be related to imprinting/homing <br />2. Monitoring activities indicate the fish are using the area for <br />spawning <br />o ripe males (strippable milt) have been observed aggregrating in <br />the reach <br />o reach has been identified as one of the three suspected spawning <br />sites on the Colorado River by the Bio Subcommittee's <br />Sensitive Area Report <br />o a "Major YOY Nursery Area" occurs just downstream of the reach <br />between RM 160-170 - identified in the Sensitive Area Report <br />- it seems probable that fish were spawned in the Palisade <br />Reach and transported to the nursery area via larval drift <br />(this theory would be consistent with what we believe is <br />happening on the Yampa and Green Rivers) <br />