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Introduction <br />The 15-mile reach of the Colorado River between Palisade, Colorado (River Mile <br />185), and the confluence of the Colorado and Gunnison rivers at Grand Junction (RM <br />170) is habitat for the endangered Colorado squawfish (Ptychocheilus lucius) and the <br />very rare razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus). The general physical characteristics of <br />the 15-mile reach as well as its use by these rare fishes were described in a report by <br />Osmundson and Kaeding (Appendix A). That report concludes that the 15-mile reach is <br />of primary importance as habitat for adults of these rare fishes, though some spawning <br />of Colorado squawfish and razorback sucker may sometimes occur there under present <br />conditions. In that report, the probable factors limiting the Colorado squawfish and <br />razorback sucker populations in the 15-mile reach were identified. <br />In the present report, we outline a strategy for developing biologically defensible <br />flow recommendations for the maintenance and enhancement of habitat for Colorado <br />squawfish in the 15-mile reach. As part of that process, we identify logical objectives for <br />flow-habitat management efforts in the 15-mile reach, investigate approaches to <br />achieving these objectives, and we make preliminary flow recommendations intended to <br />meet these objectives during July, August and September. We also suggest a general <br />river-management scenario that may be one means of achieving these objectives and we <br />discuss the development of flow recommendations for the remaining October-June <br />period. <br />The ultimate goal of which this effort is a part, as directed by the Recovery <br />Implementation Program (USFWS 1987), is the recovery and delisting of the Colorado <br />squawfish. Although the razorback sucker is not addressed in the present report, it is <br />1