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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PREFACE
This contracted study addressed items A and E under Special Conditions of Army Corps of
Engineers (COE) 404 permit No. 199100563, requiring permittee compliance with Conservation
Measures outlined in Biological Opinion, FWS/GJ-6-CO-91-F-009. More specifically the study
addressed Conservation Measure 3 in the Biological Opinion which required the City of Craig,
Colorado to conduct a monitoring study to determine if the new constructed grade control structure
impedes movements of Colorado squawfish in the Yampa River.
The study area is at the upper limit of Colorado squawfish distribution in the Yampa River and
densities of this species are very low in the area. Consequently, as suggested in the Biological
Opinion, the study relied on use of surrogate species to determine if the City's grade control structure
would impede movements of native fish, including Colorado squawfish in the study area.
It was recommended in the Biological Opinion that the study be conducted during low, average
and high flow years. The unpredictable time span associated with this recommendation was difficult
to address in a detailed research proposal, particularly as it related to formulating budgets for the
proposed research. It was recommended by BIO/WEST that a one year study be implemented, after
which specific recommendations could be made regarding the need for additional research.