7608

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7608
• Author: Masslich, W. J.
• Title: City of Craig, Colorado, Yampa River Diversion Fish Passage Study
• USFW Year: 1993.
• USFW - Doc Type: Final Report.
• Copyright Material: NO

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Physical Habitat Measurements
Physical habitat measurements were taken in and around the diversion structure during Trips
4 and 5. The objective of these measurements was to document velocities and depths associated with
features of the diversion structure during low flows. The location of points was subjective in attempts
to quantify areas of minimum and maximum depths and velocities. All depth measurements were
taken with a 6 foot graduated wading rod. Velocities were taken at 0.6 of the depth at each location
using aMarsh-McBirney current meter and a 6-foot wading rod.
Data Handling
All fish sampling data collected during this study were recorded on data forms developed
specifically for this project. An example of the data sheet used for this study is presented in
Appendix A. All data on fish collected during this study were stored in dBASE IV and provided to
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Database Manager in Grand Junction, Colorado. The structure
used to store the data is presented in Appendix A. Radiotelemetry and physical habitat data
collected during this study were recorded in the field notes of the BIO/WEST project leader. This
data will be archived at BIO/WEST and are available upon request.
Flow data presented in this report represent provisional U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data
provided by the USGS Water Resources Department, Meeker, Colorado. All data represent mean
daily flows taken at the USGS gaging station near Craig, Colorado on the Yampa River.
RESULTS
Mark and Recapture Study
Effort F.~ ended. Electrofishing was conducted during all field trips except Trip 3 (Table 2).
Approximately equal time was spent electrofishing above and below the diversion structure during
each trip except for Trip 5 when efforts were concentrated above the structure. A total of 126
electrofishing runs were made during the course of the investigation resulting in a "current on" time
of 26.3 hours. Fifty-five runs totaling 10.8 hours were made below the structure and 71 runs totaling
15.5 hours were made above the structure. A total of 11 nets were set during the study (all below
the structure) resulting in 17.8 hours of time fished (Table 2).
Fish Handled. A total of 20 species of fish were handled during the study including six native
and 12 non-native species (Table 3). Seven hybrid combinations between native and non-native
species were also identified. Native species included bluehead sucker (Catostomus discobolus),
flannehnouth sucker, roundtail chub, speckled dace (Rhinichthvs osculus), mottled sculpin (Cottus
bairdi) and mountain whitefish (Prosonium williamsoni). No endangered fish were handled during
this investigation.
Non-native species including white sucker and northern pike were the most abundant fish
captured representing 48.6% of the total catch, 37% and 11.6%, respectively (Table 4). Mountain
whitefish were the next most abundant species representing 8.4% of the total catch. Overall, native
and non-native species comprised 25.3% and 74.7% of the total catch respectively. Surrogate species
represented 16.6% of the total catch, including northern pike (11.6%), flannelmouth sucker (4.9%)
and roundtail chub (0.1%).
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