9385

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9385
• Author: Hawkins, J.
• Title: Responses by Flaming Gorge Technical Integration Team to April 4, 2000, Minority Report from John Hawkins
• USFW Year: 2000.
• USFW - Doc Type: Flow and Temperature Recommendations for Endangered Fishes in the Green River Downstream of Flaming Gorge Dam ‎(hereafter the Flow Report.
• Copyright Material: NO

... .' II

of exceedance values that vary in width from 10% (wet and dry conditions) to 20% (moderately
wet and moderately dry) to 40% (average). The graph completely misrepresents this
classification by giving hydrologic condition a value from 1 to 5. These are gross violations of
the assumptions of linear regression. In addition, the report provides no basis for a
recommended arbitrary increase over pre-dam base flows. Why is it appropriate to raise the y-
intercept of the "relationship" from 531 to 735? What data suggest this is needed by the fish?
Our recommendations are based on existing knowledge and demonstrated relationships. Despite
the non-scientific approach used to develop the alternate recommendation presented in the
minority report, there is a certain degree of similarity to our recommendations with deviations
most apparent in wetter years. In drier years, we recommend lower flows than those in the
minority report. Comparison of the ranges are as follows:

Hydrologic Condition
Wet
Moderately wet
Average
Moderately dry
Dry

Our Recommended Range
79 - 85 m3/s
67 - 79 m3/s
43 - 67 m3/s
31 - 43 m3/s
26 - 31 m3/s

Minority Report Recommendation
59 - 68 m3/s
51 - 59 m3/s
43 - 51 m3/s
34 - 43 m3/s
:5 34 m3/s

Literature Cited

Pucherelli, M J, R. C. Clark, and RD. Williams. 1990. Mapping backwater habitat on the Green
River as related to the operation of Flaming Gorge Dam using remote sensing and GIS. u.s.
Bureau of reclamation 90(18): 1-11.

Rakowski, c.L. and J C. Schmidt. 1999. The geomorphic basis of Colorado pikeminnow nursery
habitat in the Green River near Ouray, Utah. Report A in Flaming Gorge Studies: Assessment of
Colorado pikeminnow nursery habitat in the Green River. Final Report of Utah Division of
Wildlife Resources to Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program.

Tyus, H. M and G. B. Haines. 1991. Distribution, habitat use, and growth of Age-O Colorado
squawfish in the Green River Basin, Colorado and Utah. Transactions of the American
Fisheries Society 120: 79-89.

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