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<br />sampled by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR). We measured 10 channel cross- <br />sections at 5 different times, using a tagline, r~rording depth sounder, and laser theodolite. <br />Bathymetry was measured by holding boat position beneath the tagline at fixed locations. <br />Cross-sections were replicated on November 3, 1992, June 10 and 22, August 15, and <br />November 20, 1993 (Figs. 5,6). <br /> <br />RESULTS <br />These data were analyzed in the topography-generating subroutine of the Nelson and Smith's <br />flow and transport model (1989). These computer-generated bed topographies were compared to <br />show differences that were caused by passage of the 1993 flood (Fig. 7a) and the subsequent <br />adjustment of the bar and thalweg from the summer low flow regime (Fig. 7c.) <br />At the time of the first measurements (20 days after peak) during flood recession, the study <br />reach was organized into two thalweg/bar sections and one cross-over section. Recessionary stages <br />generally eroded to the margins of previously aggraded bars and filled the deepest parts of the <br />thalweg. <br />These surveys were compared to previous surveys of these cross sections conducted in 1986, <br />1987, and 1990 (Fig. 6) (Andrews and Nelson (1989), J. Lyons and G. Smith (written comm.)) <br />Measurements during base flow during the past years show that the highest flood peaks deeply scour <br />the thalweg, but do not necessarily build the highest bar tops. Flow and transport modeling will be <br />necessary to evaluate the apparent discrepancies between peak flood stage and average elevation of <br />bar surfaces. <br />UDWR conducts physical and biological sampling of Colorado squawfish nursery habitat <br />three times per year in the Ouray area. The low velocity nursery habitat for the endangered <br />squawfish occurs in many geomorphic settings. Typical settings are A) the head of bars adjacent <br />to the bank, B) remnant secondary channels at the downstream end of bars, C) areas eroded by <br />horseshoe vortices found at the head of vegetated islands, D) the downstream end of mid-channel <br />bars and E) low velocity areas created by stranded dunes on bar margins (Figs. 9, 10). <br />The location ofUDWR sample areas were marked on prints from US Bureau of Reclamation <br />(USBR) video overflights. We subsequently transferred these traces to a base map (Fig. 9), and the <br />area of habitat sampled calculated. Data were analyzed for three dates prior to the 1993 flood, and <br />two dates after flood recession. <br />Our analysis of backwater sampling data shows that deeper backwaters have higher nutrient <br />concentrations, more abundant macroinvertebrate populations, and higher squawfish densities. <br />Generally deep backwaters are those exceeding .5 meters depth and these were considered "high <br />quality" habitat. <br /> <br />CONCLUSIONS <br /> <br />* Peak discharge in 1993 was sufficient to scour the thalweg and aggrade the bars to elevations <br />not measured in 7 years. <br /> <br />* While overall area of available nursery habitat was significantly reduced by the 1993 flood, <br />the amount of high quality nursery habitat changed less. <br />