6007

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 6007
• Author: Carter, J. G., R. E. Valdez, R. J. Ryel and V. L. Lamarra
• Title: Fisheries Habitat Dynamics in the Upper Colorado River
• USFW Year: 1985
• USFW - Doc Type: Journal of Freshwater Ecology
• Copyright Material: YES

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The predictabil ity of habitat area relative to flows may be useful in
managing habitat for the needs of endangered fish. If essential reaches of
the river are identified for specific needs of these fish, then their
habitat dynamics might be described relative to flows. Management schemes
might then be developed to provide ample habitat when needed.

Use of this approach is dependent upon a clearer understanding of the
habi ta t needs of the endangered fi shes and the essenti al reaches of ri ver
used for critical stages in their life history. This information might be
used to develop a more useful habitat cataloging system that defines habitat
based on the needs of the fish. Mapping and the subsequent development of
relationships between these habitats and flow may be useful in helping to
manage flows for endangered fish and for current water use needs.

This method, or a refinement, could be useful as a tool to help assess
and quantify the net change resulting from some controlled perturbations on
the Upper Colorado River System. Coupled with better understanding of the
flow - habitat - fish relationship, a useful tool could be developed for
resource managers to appreciate the consequences of their decisions.

'"

LITERATURE CITED

Archer, D. L. and H. M. Tyus. 1984. Colorado squawfish spawning study,
Yampa River. Final Report. U. S. Fish and Wildl ife Service, Colorado
River Fishery Project, Salt Lake City, Utah. 34 pp.

Archer, D., H. Tyus and R. Valdez. 1980. Field methodologies of the Fish
and Wildlife Service's Colorado River Fisheries Project. Trans.
Bonneville Chapter Amer. Fish. Soc. 13-36.

Beamsderfer, R. C. and J. L. Congl eton. 1981. Spawning behavior, habitat
selection, and early life history of northern squawfish with inferences
to Colorado squawfish, pp. 47-127. IN: W. H. Miller, D. Archer and
J. Valenti ne, Colorado Ri ver Fi shery lrroj ect Fi nal Report - Contracted
Studies. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation MOU
No. 9-06-40-L-I016.

Behnke, R. J. and D. E. Benson. 1983. Endangered and threatened fi shes of
the Upper Colorado River Basin. Coop. Extension Service, Colorado
State Univ., Fort Collins. Bulletin 503A. 34 pp.

Haynes, C. M., T. A. Lytle, E. J. Wick and R.T. Muth. 1984. Larval
Colorado squawfish (Ptychocheilus lucius girard) in the upper Colorado
River basin, Colorado, 1979-1981. ~estern Naturalist 29(1):21-33.

Hynes, H. B. N.
Press.

1970. The ecology of running waters. University of Toronto
555 pp.

Holden, P. B.
squawfish.

1977. Habitat requirements of juvenile Colorado River
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. FWS/OBS-77/65. 71 pp.

Kaeding, L. R. and M. A. Zinmerman. 1982. Life history and population
ecology of the humpback chub in the Little Colorado and Colorado Rivers
of the Grand Canyon, Arizona. IN: U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Colorado River Fishery Project, FTnal Report. Pt. 2. Salt Lake City,
pp. 280-320.

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