7818

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7818
• Author: Stalnaker, C. B. and P. B. Holden
• Title: Changes In Native Fish Distribution In The Green River System, Utah-Colorado
• USFW Year: 1973
• USFW - Doc Type: Utah Academy Proceedings
• Copyright Material: YES

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ST!.LNAKF;R. HOLDEN; NATIVE FISH DISTRIDUTION

27

The Colorado squaw fish was reported to be common in both the lower
and upper Colorado River basins and attained weights in excess of 50
pounds (Gilbert and Scofield, 1898; Jordan, 1891). Jordan and Evermann
(1934) indicated that it was common in the Green River as far north as lhe
~own of Green River, Wyoming. Dy the middle of rhe 20th century the
Iistribution and abundance were rapidly becoming reduced (Miller, 1961).
lut prior to the completion of Flaming Gorge Dam, numerous squawfish
vere taken in the reservoir basin and just below the damsite and young
quawfish were common in Dinosaur National Monument walers late in
962 (UF & G personnel).
The round tail chub was reported to be common throughout lhe upper
'olorado drainage by early collectors. Miller (J 96 I) believed it was de-
[easing in abundance due to nwn's modification of rivers. Ii is still readily
)Ilected in most parts of its range and is somewhat successful in reservoir
lvironments.
The. bony tail chub likewise was reported to be common throughout the
)lorado drainage presumably in the large rivers and their major tribu.
ries. J~ Was considered a subspecies of G. robusla until the late 1960s
(olden and Stalnaker, 1970) and was fairly abundant in Dinosaur Na.
mal Monument area through the early 1960s.
The humpback chub was previously reported from the canyon areas of
rthem Arizona (Grand anti Glcn Canyons) and the canyon areas of
10saur National Monumcnt (Miller, 1946, 1963). Apparently it was
'cr very common in the u~'pcr ~'olorado River basin.
The humpback sucker was commonly taken by early collectors
'ermann and RUller, 1895). Jordan (1891) reported it very common,
ng used by local residents for food. It was common in the lower Co10-
o niver reservoirs in the 1950s (Douglas, 1952; Jonez and Sumner,
4). At.:cording to Hubbs :ml! Miller (1953) it Was uncommon and
f>ming scarce in the upper Colorado basin. It was rare in the Green
n in preiinpoundment 1960s (Dosley, 1960; Dinns, 1965) and was
lrted to be rare in Dinosaur National Monumemby Hagen (1962)
ngpreimpoundment collecting.
'he blue head sucker was commonly found throughout most of the
'rado River drainage and was reponed to be common in preimpound.
(surveys of the Green River (McDonald and Dotson, 1960; Banks,
I). Two forms of this species are found in the Green River system; a
JW peduncled form and a wide peduncled form.
i,l e..~.flannclmouth sucker has been reported to be abundant throughog. t
7olorado River system and to' be the most common of the large river
enous species, making up the greatest percentage of total fish
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