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State line (hereafter referred to as 'State line') gage (Appendix Table <br />I). As discussed below, recent studies have corroborated these earlier <br />observations. <br />High spring flows also appear to be the only means available to reduce the <br />numbers of some prolific non-native fish species. Several species of <br />introduced minnows predominate in backwater nursery habitats of Colorado <br />squawfish. In addition, predatory centrarchids, though not abundant, are <br />commonly found in backwater habitat in the Grand Valley area (Valdez et <br />al. 1982, Valdez and Wick 1983, Osmundson and Kaeding 1989, Nesler 1990). <br />Many researchers have speculated on the negative effects these introduced <br />species may have on native fishes, particularly competition for food re- <br />sources and predation (Holden 1973, McAda 1977, Seethaler 1978, Valdez et <br />al. 1982, Wick et al. 1982, Valdez and Wick 1983, McAda and Tyus 1984, <br />Osmundson 1987, Osmundson and Kaeding 1989, Tyus and Karp 1989, Valdez <br />1990, Karp and Tyus 1990). In laboratory studies, Karp and Tyus (1990) <br />found that green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus), red shiner (Notropis lutren- <br />sis) and fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) displayed far more interspe- <br />cific aggressive behavior than young Colorado squawfish, and suggested <br />that squawfish young would be competitively inferior in a resource-limited <br />environment. Current studies conducted by the Colorado State Larval Fishes <br />Laboratory (CSLFL) have revealed the high susceptibility of Colorado <br />squawfish and razorback sucker larvae to predation by red shiner, young <br />green sunfish, and young channel catfish (Ictaluras punctatus) under <br />aquaria conditions (Robert Muth, personal communication); predation by <br />other common, non-native species has yet to be tested by CSLFL. Osmundson <br />(1987) documented predation by largemouth bass, green sunfish and black <br />11