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habitats have been identified as important resting and feeding areas for adult razorback <br />suckers (Tyus and Karp 1990). Temperatures in this portion of the White River are suitable <br />for native fishes. <br />Biological Environment <br />Miller et al. (1982a) found 15 species of fish in the White River (8 nonnative, 7 native). <br />These nonnatives may compete with and/or prey on razorback suckers. The establishment of <br />nonnative sport fishes in Taylor Draw Reservoir may contribute to nonnative fish populations <br />downstream. Food supply for larval, juvenile, and adult razorback suckers is not likely to be <br />limiting in the White River (Bestgen 1990). <br />Relationship to Additional Selection Criteria: <br />For the razorback sucker, additional selection criteria were developed to assist in the <br />selection of proposed critical habitat designations. This reach of the White River meets those <br />criteria as discussed below. <br />Presence of Spawning Population <br />There has been no documentation of razorback sucker reproduction in the White River. <br />Nursery Habitat <br />The habitat description by Miller et al. (1982a) indicates that potential nursery habitat is <br />present in this reach of the White River. Backwaters and other low-velocity environments <br />occur at high water providing food and higher water temperatures than the river channel. <br />Historic or Present Distribution <br />Historic accounts of razorback suckers within the White River indicate that the species was <br />present in the system (Quartarone 1993). Recent research efforts indicate that the razorback <br />sucker is rare within the White River (Bestgen 1990). An adult razorback sucker was <br />captured approximately 18 miles upstream from the Green River in 1987 (Steve Cranney, <br />UDWR, pers. comm.). <br />Maintenance of Rangewide Distribution <br />The White River through this reach is associated with the upper Green River fish <br />community. This reach has the potential to provide adult razorback sucker habitat for the <br />population which exists within adjacent Green River reaches. <br />56