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Relationship to Constituent Elements: <br />Water <br />Fifty-three percent of the water from the Duchesne River is being depleted (USGS gage <br />records). Under current flow regimes, this area attracts and is being used by razorback <br />suckers, but additional water could increase the value of this area in meeting other life <br />history needs of this species. Future projects associated with the Central Utah Project and <br />proposed projects by the Soil Conservation Service will result in greater depletions. <br />Additionally, although water quality is sufficient during most periods, this area contains <br />numerous oil and gas wells which can cause potential water-quality problems. <br />Physical Habitat <br />During spring runoff, the mouth of the Duchesne River becomes a low velocity (eddy) <br />habitat suitable as an adult feeding and staging area prior to spawning. Conditions also are <br />suitable for providing nursery habitat for this species. <br />Biological Environment <br />Little has been reported on the quality or quantity of the food supply in this reach. <br />Historically, the Duchesne River probably was a large source of nutrients into the Green <br />River. Water diversions and depletions have likely impacted its significance as a source of <br />nutrients. Nonnative common carp, channel catfish, red shiner, and fathead minnow are <br />common in the lower portion of this reach. <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 Duchesne River meets <br />those criteria. <br />Presence of Spawning Population <br />Razorback suckers in spawning condition have been captured in the mouth of the Duchesne <br />River (Tyus and Karp 1990). However, it is unknown whether spawning actually occurs in <br />this area. <br />Nursery Habitat <br />The mouth of the Duchesne River provides suitable habitat for rearing of larval and juvenile <br />endangered fishes when flooded. <br />58