9632

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9632
• Author: HAwkins, J. A. and J. O'Brian.
• Title: Management Action Plan for Endangered Fish Recovery in the Little Snake River, Colorado and Wyoming - Draft Final Report.
• USFW Year: 2001.
• USFW - Doc Type: Fort Collins, CO.
• Copyright Material: NO

Colorado pikeminnow and second, it contributes flow and sediment that maintain
nursery habitats in the alluvial reaches of the Green River. Since the closure of
Flaming Gorge Dam beneficial sediment loads have decreased 50% in the
downstream alluvial reaches of the Green River. Sediments from the Little Snake
River are critical in maintaining the active channel in alluvial reaches of the Green
River and partially ameliorate the loss of sediments in the Green River due to
Flaming Gorge Dam. Currently a high percentage of the beneficial sediment load in
the Yampa and Green rivers originates from the highly erosive soils in the Little
Snake River Basin. Approximately 77% of the Yampa River sediment load is from
the Little Snake River and downstream in the Green River, about 60% of the
sediment load at the Jensen gage is from the Little Snake River. Because current
depletions are low and flows are unregulated, seasonal runoff is early and amplitude
between peak and base flows is high. Depletions from the Little Snake River are
about 11 % of the historical yield and are low compared to most Upper Basin rivers.
Additional depletions from the tributary High Savery Creek at the new High Savery
Dam, Wyoming will increase annual depletions to about 14% of the total yield of
the Little Snake River.

In four years of sampling the Little Snake River between 1981 and 1995,
seventeen species of fish were caught, including ten nonnative species. However,
these nonnative species that are typically abundant and widespread in other Upper
Colorado Basin rivers were few in number and limited in distribution in the Little
Snake River; native species were more abundant and widespread than nonnatives in
all years sampled. In 1981, 64% of all individuals captured were natives; in 1988,
96% were native; in 1994, 69% were native; and in 1995,72% were native. The
most abundant native species included flannel mouth sucker (Catostomus latipinnis),
bluehead sucker (C. discobolus), and roundtail chub (G. robusta) and the most
abundant nonnative species included reside shiner (Richardsonius balteatus) and red

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