9568

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9568
• Author: Resource Consultants Inc.
• Title: Sediment Transport Studies of the Little Snake, Yampa, and Green River Systems.
• USFW Year: 1991.
• USFW - Doc Type: Fort Collins, CO.
• Copyright Material: NO

1.4 StuctY Reacb Delineation

Considering tbe entire life cycle, tbe above discussion indicates tbat tbe Yampa River from tbe
mouth upstream to Craig, Colorado, the lower 10 miles of the Little Snake and much of the upper Green
River below Flaming Gorge are habitat areas for endangered Colorado River fish. However, for purposes
of tbis investigation, detailed analyses of morpbological conditions were limited to tbe spawning babitat
areas in Yampa Canyon (as related to tbe need to maintain clean cobble surfaces) and Green River
backwater habitat (as related to the need to maintain sballow, protected backwater areas). Consideration
of greater reacb lengtbs was completed only to tbe extent necessary given tbe dynamic nature of fluvial
system response and the potentially long distances over which such responses occur.

1.5 Rc;port Status

This study was jointly sponsored by tbe Colorado River Water Conservation District (River
District) and the Wyoming Water Development Commission (WOe), and was conducted in cooperation
with tbe U. S. FISh and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Water Resources Section, Denver, Colorado. The River
District effort was conducted in relation to a study permit on tbe Yampa River authorized by the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Tbe WOC effort is related to Wyoming's participation in tbe
Recovery Implementation Program. A May, 1990 Interim Report summarized the results of the first two
phases (Tasks 1 through 10) which included detailed studies of tbe Little Snake and Yampa River systems,
and preliminary investigations of tbe Green River. Tbese first two pbases included data gatbering,
reconnaissance, and baseline bydrologic, bydraulic, and sediment transport analyses. This report updates
the May 1990 Interim Report and provides results, of Pbase 3 of the study which includes refinement of the
evaluation of sediment transport processes and geomorphic response and an analysis of climatic trends in
the Upper Green and Yampa River basins. A subsequent phase of tbe study may involve additional field
work and consideration of tbe effects of various project operational scenarios.

Much of tbe bydrologic data and analysis of Cbapter4.0 were contributed by Mr. Mark Butler,
USFWS Water Resources Section, Denver, Colorado. The long-term climate analyses of Chapter 4.0 were
provided by Dr. Robert C. Balling, Jr. and Mr. Tomas A. Miller of the Laboratory of Climatology, Arizona
State University, Tempe, Arizona and tbe geomorphic analysis of canyon-bound streams was completed by
Dr. Mike Harvey, Water Engineering and Technology, Fort Collins, Colorado.

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