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18. <br />RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE WORK <br />Suggested Additions to Habitat Evaluation in Future Years <br />1. Recent aerial photographs of each trend zone should be obtained <br />and evaluated for changes in stream character and land use practices. The <br />1972-1973 photographic quadrangles available from the State Cartographer's <br />office may be used for location of sampling sites and as a basis for com- <br />parison and trend analysis against more recent imagery. <br />2. Available stream discharge data should be collected and analyzed. <br />Certain gage stations are located quite near the trend zones and may afford <br />valuable discharge, temperature and sediment discharge data. <br />3. Annual float trips should be continued, but a mid-winter observation <br />trip might be helpful in assessing seasonal land-use changes such as the <br />summer hay-production-winter sheep and cattle grazing pattern followed in <br />most western Colorado river valleys. <br />4. The habitat measurement areas should be revisited in 1978 and new <br />stage-discharge relationships obtained. These measurements could not be <br />taken in 1977 because of low flows. 'With a two- or possibly three-point <br />stage-discharge curve, empirical computer models may be used resulting in <br />more accurate predictions of instream conditions at unobserved flows. <br />5. New habitat measurement areas should be established at the back- <br />water areas of the Palisade-Clifton Trend Zone, at deep-water areas in the <br />canyon reaches of the Gunnison River trend zone and in the Upper Ruby Canyon <br />area. In this.way, habitat measurement areas will represent both unique <br />and general characteristics of each trend zone and each may be used as <br />site-specific habitat management tools.