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<br />15 <br /> <br />Colorado Squawfish <br /> <br />A total of 105 Colorado squawfish YOY were collected by seine and dip net <br />in the Colorado River during 1979-1983 (Table 4). Numbers per year ranged <br />from 77 in 1980 to 1 in 1981. All specimens were collected in low velocity <br />habitats (e.g., shallow shorelines, backwaters, concavities, and isolated <br />pools) between river km 212.2 and 245.7. Specimens were collected as early <br />as 27 July in 1981 and 1982 and as late as 2 November in 1980. C/f ranged <br />from 0.05 in 1981 (one individual) to 0.31 in 1982 (16 individuals). Size <br />(mm TL) at time of capture ranged from 7.8 (27 July 1982) to 38.0 (2 November <br />1980). Colorado squawfish spawning was estimated to have occurred as early <br />as 3 July in 1981 and as late as 6 September in 1980. <br /> <br />Two age I Colorado squawfish were collected by seine in 1983. One <br />(TL=65.0 mm) was sampled at r~ver km 218.1 on 2 August in a tributary stream <br />embayment, and the second (TL=76.2 mm) was collected at river km 224.6 on 19 <br />September in a mainchannel backwater. Predictive age equations did not <br />permit estimates for individuals of this size. <br /> <br />Two larval Colorado squawfish (TL=9.0 and 9.5 mm) were collected by <br />drift-net on 27 July 1982 (Table 3). These specimens were estimated to be <br />11.4 and 13.2 days old, respectively, meaning they were spawned on 15 and 17 <br />July. <br /> <br />The relationship between flow/water temperature and estimated Colorado <br />squawfish spawning dates for the months April-September 1979-1983 is <br />presented in Figure 3 and Table 5. In general, estimated spawning dates <br />coincided with decreasing flow and rising water temperature. In 1979, <br />spawning was estimated to have occurred from 16 July to 4 August when maximum <br />fJow at the Colorado-Utah state line decreased from approximately 297 to 125 <br />m per second (m3/sec). Maximum mainchannel water temperature during <br />that period was always greater than 20 C; however, minimum water temperature <br />was occasionally lower. Mainchannel water temperature 22 C occurred by 22 <br />July and lasted well into August. Spawning in 1980 was estimated to have <br />occurred from 16 July to 6 September. Maximum flow during that period ranged <br />from approximately 178 to 115 m31sec and maximum mainchannel water <br />temperature was always greater than 22 C. During the very low flow year of <br />1981, when peak flow reached only 184.5 m3/sec, only one YOY Colorado <br />squawfish was collected, suggesting a brief spawning period. In 1983, the <br />estimated spawning period was 15 July-ll August. Maximum flow during that <br />period ranged from 218 to 135 m3 and maximum mainchannel water temperature <br />ranged from 21.0 to 23.5 C. Flow in 1983 was high, with a peak discharge of <br />1,705 m3/sec on 27 June. Estimated spawning period for 1983 was 27 July-10 <br />August. Maximum flow during that period ranged from 515 to 334 m3/sec and <br />maximum mainchannel water temperature ranged from 19.0 to 23.0 C. <br />