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<br />.. <br /> <br />68 <br /> <br />P. B. HOLDEN <br /> <br />It appears possible that the major cause of the loss of reproduction <br />is reduced flows and resulting ramifications. <br /> <br />The detrimental effect of low flows on reproduction of Colorado <br />squawfish was recently noted in a portion of the Green River in <br />Utah. Young-of-the-year squawfish had been found in the Green <br />River between Jensen, Utah, and Desolation Canyon, a distance of <br />about 160 km, in the early 1970s (Holden and Stalnaker, 1975). <br />Studies in 1977, a drought year with low natural flows, located no <br />young-of-the-year squawfish in that area, but numerous juveniles of <br />the 1975 and 1976 year classes were found (Holden, 1977). A study <br />in 1978, a normal water year, found young-of-the-year near Jensen, <br />but the remaining area was not sampled (Holden and Crist, 1979). <br />These data indicate that in this portion of the Green River, espe- <br />cially at Jensen, squawfish reproductive success is correlated with <br />flow and that during a low-flow year (1977), reproduction was not <br />successful, whereas it was successful during more normal- or <br />high-flow years. <br /> <br />Glen Canyon Darn has altered the Colorado River in Grand Canyon <br />from a warm, turbid river with tremendous seasonal flow variations <br />to a cold, clear river that fluctuates 2-3 m daily due to power <br />demands. The native fishes below Glen Canyon Dam have largely been <br />replaced by stocked rainbow trout. Much of the change in the fish <br />fauna can be attributed to the cold summer tailwater temperatures <br />(Holden and Stalnaker, 1975), although the tremendous daily fluc- <br />tuations must also be partly responsible. Spawning of most of the <br />native suckers and minnows is presently restricted to tributaries. <br />Juveniles of these species are seldom found in the mainstem. It <br />appears probable that the ephemeral nature of the habitat, caused <br />by the rapid, daily fluctuations, is the major factor preventing <br />juvenile fishes from utilizing the Colorado mainstem. <br /> <br />The importance of delayed impacts of regulation on native <br />Colorado basin fishes is difficult to assess. The major area where <br />such factors may be important is the Colorado River below the inflow <br />of the Gunnison River at Grand Junction, Colorado, over 160 km <br />below the Curecanti Darns. As mentioned, Colorado squawfish no <br />longer reproduce in this area, although adults are present. <br />Several factors other than decreased flows are present that may be <br />affecting the squawfish. <br /> <br />Exotic species, especially green sunfish (Lepomis cyaneZlus) <br />and largemouth bass (Micropterus saZmoides), are relatively common <br />in this area (Kidd, 1977), much more so than in other areas of the <br />upper Colorado Basin (Holden and Stalnaker, 1975). The primary <br />reason for their abundance is the presence of flooded gravel pits <br />that are joined to the river near Grand Junction, Colorado. These <br />permanent backwaters afford the centrarchids with spawning and <br />