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by. Gray Canyon which contains larger and deeper pools than are found in Desolation <br />Canyon. Other habitats within the canyon include eddies, rapids, and riffles. Side channels <br />and backwaters also exist here. Substrate in Gray Canyon is composed mainly of <br />boulder/rubble/sand with some gravel. In total, the river runs 159 miles through these two <br />canyons. The Green River meets the Price River in lower Gray Canyon before that canyon <br />ends at Book Cliffs escarpment (Tyus et al. 1987). The river then flows through the Green <br />River Valley, near Green River, Utah. Predominant substrate in this valley varies from <br />gravel/rubble to sand and silt. Few backwater habitats are found along this stretch of the <br />Green, but riffles, side channels, and eddies do exist. At the southern end of the valley the <br />San Rafael River joins the Green River before the river enters Labyrinth and Stillwater <br />Canyons within Canyonlands National Park. This section of the river is dominated by a <br />sand/silt substrate and is characterized by side channels and eddies. No rapids and few <br />riffles exist within Stillwater and Labyrinth Canyons (Miller et al. 1982c). The river joins <br />the upper Colorado River within Canyonlands National Park. <br />Relationship to Constituent Elements: <br />Water <br />Because of water depletions which occur above this reach, historic water levels are seldom if <br />ever obtained. Because of this, flooding of bottomlands is infrequent. Research to <br />determine actual flow needs for this reach is currently underway as part of the Upper Basin <br />Colorado River Implementation Program. Water depletions have the potential to reduce <br />water volumes in this reach by about 30 to 40 percent (USFWS 1992b). <br />Physical Habitat <br />This reach does not contain the large number of backwaters that are present in the Green <br />River from Sand Wash up to the Yampa River. However, large bottomlands which were <br />historically flooded are present throughout this reach. Eddies and other low-velocity habitats <br />also are present. Cobble/gravel bars which can provide spawning habitat occur within this <br />reach; but no spawning locations have been confirmed. <br />Biological Environment <br />Very little is known on the quantity or quality of the food supply in this reach. Sources of <br />input include the river above and from washes and side channels. The flooded bottomlands <br />along this reach were probably once sources of food into the system but are seldom flooded <br />the way the system is presently managed. Large concentrations of nonnative fishes in this <br />reach include common carp, channel catfish, fathead minnow, and red shiner. <br />53