8206

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 8206
• Author: Miller, W. J. and D. E. Rees.
• Title: Colorado Squawfish habitat use and movement during summer low flow in the Yampa River upstream of Cross Mounatin Canyon. Final Report.
• USFW Year: 1997.
• USFW - Doc Type: Fort Collins, Colorado.
• Copyright Material: NO

24-Hour Observations
Colorado Squawfish 40:781 (September 11, 1996)
A 24-hour observation was conducted for CS781 beginning at 8:30 am (0830hr) on September
11, 1996. During the first few hours of this observation the fish appeared to move slightly,
however achieving a good transmitter signal was difficult because of its canyon location. A
combination of the windy conditions, canyon effect, and human error may have made the fish
appear to move slightly when in fact it did not. After observing no movement throughout the
rest of the 24-hour observation it was presumed that CS871 had either expelled the transmitter or
was dead.
Colorado Squawfish 40:714 (September 24, 1996)
A 24-hour observation was initiated on CS714 at 11:00am (1100hr) on September 24, 1996.
CS714 was located near a rock cliff at the lower end of the pool where it was captured (RM
95.4). The signal was weak suggesting that CS714 may be deep in the pool among rocks or rock
shelves that occurred there. The fish remained at this location exhibiting little activity until after
sunset. Observations were discontinued for a two hour period from 9:00pm to 11:00pm due to
an electrical storm. When contact was re-established (at 11:05pm) the fish was located at the
upper end of the pool near the riffle-pool interface. CS714 was very active at this time moving
from near a steep undercut bank out into the fast current near the riffle, and through a deep area
of slow current below a submerged sandbar. The fish remained very active within this area until
midnight. CS714 then moved back downstream to its previous location (in the pool near the
cliff) and became mostly inactive. At 3:30am a steady rain began that continued until morning.
CS714 remained mostly inactive until the end of the 24-hour observation (at 11:00am).
Colorado Squawfish 40:663 (September 24, 1996)
A 24-hour observation was initiated on CS663 at 11:45am (1145hr) on September 24,. 1996.
This fish was located in a deep pool at RM 102.4. CS663 remained mostly stationary displaying
only brief activity during the day. At 7:30pm this fish began moving to various locations within
the pool habitat, but exhibited only occasional activity at each location. This behavior continued
until 11:40pm when CS663 began actively moving along the shoreline of the pool. At 12:45am
the fish had become mostly inactive and remained in a deep area of the pool near the south shore.
CS663 remained mostly inactive with only a few brief movements throughout the remainder of
the 24-hour observation.
Colorado Squawfish 40:741 (October 23, 1996)
CS741 was contacted at 9:15am (0915hr) in a pool about 15ft. downstream from a submerged.
sand shelf at RM 83.0. A 24-hour observation continued until the following morning (October
24, 1996). CS741 remained mostly inactive throughout the day exhibiting only passive
movement until 10:15pm. At this time CS741 moved downstream into an eddy-pool where it
actively moved around a 20ft. diameter area (possibly foraging) for three hours. At 1:15am the
fish had become inactive. Due to heavy snow no more observations were recorded until
morning. From 6:30am to 9:30am CS741 exhibited only passive movement.
Final Report - Colorado squawfish habitat Page 73
Miller Ecological Consultants, Inc. December 17, 1997