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Annual flows varied greatly throughout this study. Daily flows in 1992 and 1994 were below <br />average, 1993 and 1995 were above average and flows in 1996 were only slightly above average as <br />determined by the USGS at the Near Cisco, Utah, gage (1914-present). Only three significant <br />correlations were found between spawning success as measured by YOY captures and a variety of flow <br />metrics. July YOY CPE both above and in Westwater Canyon were found to be positively correlated <br />with the previous year's peak flow. This relationship held true for August catch rates in Westwater <br />Canyon, but the relationship was not significant. In addition, August CPE above the canyon was <br />negatively correlated with the amount the June monthly flow deviated from the historic June monthly <br />flow (CISJUNDEV). August CPE in the canyon was also negatively correlated with CISJUNDEV, <br />however, the relationship was not significant. <br />In Figure 8, it appears that chub reproductive success was optimized when the Colorado River <br />peaked near 30,000 cfs as it did in 1996. Flows much less than this and flows much greater were likely _ <br />outside the optimum flow window indicating the relationship is not linear. More data points are needed <br />to validate this relationship and better define the boundaries of this flow window. <br />The above-canyon August relationships were the most varied because of the 1993 data point <br />when high catch rates were recorded during high flows. From this single data point, we might postulate <br />that the optimum flow window for roundtail chub (humpback chubs are scarce in this stretch of river) <br />reproduction is broader or shifted toward higher flows. Another alternative may be that suitable <br />spawning habitat is available at higher flows in the stretch of river upstream of the canyon. <br />The link between July catch rates and the previous year's peak both above and within Westwater <br />Canyon stems from the high July catch rates in 1994 (low water year) and 1996 (moderate water year). <br />Both 1994 and 1996 followed high water years. Although production was down in 1995, it may have <br />created an optimum spawning situation the following year, particularly in the Westwater Canyon sub- <br />reach. This finding indicates the need for a variety of flows from year to year and the importance of <br />flows in excess of 40,000 occasionally. Historically (period of record 1914 - 1962), a peak flow of <br />40,000 cfs as recorded at the Cisco, Utah, gage was exceeded 55% of the time. The results of this study <br />suggest that a flow frequency of 40,000 cfs once in 3 years may be adequate to benefit native chubs. <br />Fish community monitoring efforts in Desolation Canyon, 1992-1996, provided a measure of <br />chub reproductive success, but were not designed to elucidate flow relationships (Chart and Lentsch <br />1998). YOY chub catch rates there were greatest in 1993, the second highest flow year of that study. <br />Catch rates were down again in 1995, the highest flow year, as they were during the low flows of 1992 <br />and 1994, which indicates a similar flow relationships as found in Westwater. Day and Crosby (1997) <br />conducted a much more intensive examination of YOY chub (and pikeminnow) habitat use, reproductive <br />success and flow relationships in Desolation, 1994-1996. Their catch rates were greatest in 1994 (low <br />flow year), lowest in 1995, and moderate in 1996. They did not sample in 1993. Although the authors of <br />that study were unable to develop conclusive flow relationships based on three years of study, it appears <br />their findings do not fall in complete accordance with the findings of this study. The chub population <br />and the fish community in general in Desolation is vastly different than that found in Westwater Canyon <br />and any comparisons between the canyons are consequently complicated (Chart and Lentsch 1998). <br />YOY Chub Habitat <br />Above Canyon. <br />Roundtail YOY in this reach of the river were found in all habitat types sampled. The <br />overwhelming majority of available low velocity habitats were backwaters, but YOY chubs were found <br />in the less frequently sampled habitats (shorelines, secondary channels, pools and isolated pools) as well. <br />The densities of YOY chubs were greatest in the backwaters indicating some selection for that habitat <br />type. Backwater habitats were readily available until Colorado River flows exceeded 9000 cfs, but total <br />22 <br />