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<br />Park area (RM 330.6 to 329.4) resulting in a loss of island habitat through <br />side channel sedimentation and vegetation encroachment. In general, the Ruple <br />Ranch study site, located within Dinosaur National Monument, is considered <br />stable and protected from industrial and agricultural development <br /> <br />1. Field Measurements <br /> <br />Field data collection for channel geometry and hydraulics was completed <br />throughout the 1987 summer field season. On May 6, six transects were <br />identified and marked with headpins and fenceposts to identify differing <br />hydraulic and physical habitat conditions. Each transect was assigned a <br />weighting of 0.5. The headstake elevations were survey~d by differential <br />leveling within acceptable accuracy. Permanent and temporary staff gages were <br />installed and checked. On May 8, the streambed profiles and velocity <br />distributions for each transect were surveyed. On May 28, August 8, and <br />August 12 additional WSE's were collected at each transect at flows of 9585, <br />2589, and 1194 cfs. On August 12 during low flow conditions (1194 cfs), the <br />stream was waded at each transect to record both the predominant and <br />surrounding substrate particle sizes. Distances between transects were <br />measured along the water's edge for both banks and a plot of the longitudinal <br />profile prepared. A reference map of the study site was drawn and field notes <br />revi ewed. ' <br /> <br />In general, the river at this site is a trough-like channel with a slight bend <br />midway. The transects represent run microhabitats with one deep pool at <br />tr~nsect 6 (Table 7). Cobble is the most common substrate, with sand, gravel <br />and silt less abundant. Riffle and backwater habitats are not present except <br />during low flows when embayments are formed. <br /> <br />17 <br />