7703

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7703
• Author: Pucherelli, M. J. and W. P. Goettlicher.
• Title: Mapping an Instream Habitat on the San Juan River Using Airborne Videography.
• USFW Year: 1992.
• USFW - Doc Type: Washington, D.C.
• Copyright Material: NO

7.2090 (4-81)
Bureau of Reclamation

1. REPORT NO.
R-92-16

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE

TECHNICAL REPORT STANDARD TITLE PAGE
::II:i~lllllilflltl.I~:lllj:::I:.:I:..i:l.ili~I:I:,.:1:1:1:1.11111.llj.:::, 3. RECIPI ENT'S CATALOG NO.

5. REPORT DATE
NOVEMBER 1992

MAPPING INSTREAM HABITAT ON THE
SAN JUAN RIVER USING AIRBORNE
VIDEOGRAPHY

6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE

D-3744

7. AUTHOR(S)
Michael J. Pucherelli and
William P. Goettlicher
9 PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS

8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION
REPORT NO.
R-92-16

10. WORK UNIT NO.

Bureau of Reclamation
Denver Office
Den ver CO 80225

11. CONTRACT OR GRANT NO.

13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED

12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS

Same

14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
DIBR

15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

Microfiche and hard copy available at the Denver Office, Denver, Colorado.

Ed: RNW

16. ABSTRACT

Concerns have been raised over the potential impacts of the AnimaslLaPlata project and the
regulation of Navajo Dam. Flow depletions in the San Juan River may adversely affect the
remnant population of the native fish, particularly the endangered Colorado squawfish and
razorback sucker. A multiyear research program is currently being conducted on the San
Juan River as a result of a Jeopardy Opinion delivered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
on AnimaslLaPlata and the subsequent Reasonable and Prudent Alternative that was
accepted. A multidisciplinary research team composed of representatives from the affected
agencies is currently investigating the relationship between flow and survival of native fish
species in the San Juan. This study explores the relationship between flow and important
native fish habitats on the San Juan River in New Mexico and Utah. Specifically, it examines
the number and area of backwaters and side channels and their relationship to flow levels.
Airborne videography is used for this study instead of more expensive aerial photography.
The data suggest strong relationships between flow and backwater and side channel area.
Backwater area was maximized at the lowest flows and side channel area was maximized at
peak flow.

17. KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
B. DESCRIPTORS- Environmental biology/ aquatic habitats! fish conservation! environmental
effects/ hydrographs! river regulation! streamflow depletion! stream gages

b. IDENTIFIERS- Animas! LaPlata Projectl Navajo Dam/ Colorado squawfish/ San Juan River/
Geographic Information Systems
c. COSA TI FIeld/Group 06/F
18. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT

COWRR: 0606

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19. SECURITY CLASS
(THIS REPOR1)
UNCLASsIFIED
20. SECURITY CLASS
(THISREPOR1)
UNCLASsIFIED

21. NO. OF PAGES
47

22. PRICE