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Recent <br />The occurrence of razorback sucker has been well documented in this reach since the 1960's <br />(Binns 1965, 1967; Holden and Stalnaker 1975a, 1975b; Seethaler et al. 1979; McAda and <br />Wydoski 1980). Although they have been considered rare in some portions of the Green <br />River (Binns 1967), the upper portions of this reach supports the largest riverine population <br />of razorback sucker remaining in the Basin, its numbers decrease below the Duchesne River <br />(Tyus 1987; Lanigan and Tyus 1989). <br />Description of Habitat: <br />Historically, flows in the Green River began increasing in March, peaked in June, and <br />remained high through July (Smith and Green 1991). The spring peak averaged about 8,000 <br />cfs for the predam period of 1951-1962 at Greendale, Utah. Yearly and seasonal variation in <br />this reach made flows highly variable. Mean monthly flow during spring runoff (April-July) <br />was about 14,000 cfs. <br />Construction of Flaming Gorge and Fontenelle dams in the 1960's altered hydrologic <br />conditions in the Green River. The magnitude of the spring peak has been reduced, and <br />flows during the remainder of the year have increased. The average spring peak measured at <br />Greendale, Utah, has decreased to about 4,000 cfs; winter baseflows have increased about 50 <br />percent (Tyus and Karp 1991). Additionally, temperatures and sediment transport have <br />changed since construction of the dams. The flow, temperature, and sediment from the <br />Yampa River somewhat ameliorate the reduction in spring flows from Flaming Gorge Dam <br />(Tyus and Karp 1989). Depletions above and within this reach have the potential to reduce <br />the total volume of water by 32 percent (USFWS 1992b). <br />The Green River from its confluence with the Yampa River in Echo Park to Sand Wash <br />includes several very different reaches. Substrate is a mixture of sand/silt with some large <br />gravel/cobble riffles. After leaving the broad, shallow Echo Park reach, the river passes <br />through Whirlpool Canyon, an area of steep cliffs, large pools, deep eddies, rapids, and <br />large boulders. After exiting the canyon, the Green River flows through Island and Rainbow <br />parks. The river in this area is shallow; backwaters, cobblebars, and side channels are <br />common. Split Mountain Canyon contains large boulder fields, swift waters, and three large <br />rapids. Some significant sandbars exist in the lower velocity sections of this area. The <br />Green River, upon leaving Dinosaur National Monument at Split Mountain, enters the Uintah <br />Basin where it becomes broad, shallow, and flat. The river is highly braided, and side <br />channels and backwater nursery areas are prominent. Some drainage occurs due to <br />agriculture, agricultural return flows, and urban discharge into the river. The substrate is <br />sand underlain with rock. The Duchesne River, from the southern slope of the Uintah <br />Mountains, enters the Green River near Ouray, Utah, RM 248. Just to the south, the White <br />River flows into the Green River, and the river becomes deeper. However, it is still <br />49