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<br />the sediment load reduction was a progressive trend that is masked by major flood <br />events and drought years. They conclude that over the course of river basin <br />evolution, sediment yield is high for periods of channel incision and then sediment <br />loads decrease logarithmically as the channel approaches a new period of stability. <br /> <br />RCI (1991) undertook a comprehensive study to establish baseline <br />hydrologic and sediment transport information for the Little Snake, Yampa and <br />Green rivers. The focus of the study was to analyze the potential adverse effect <br />on endangered fish habitat as a result of channel morphological changes. The <br />report concluded that climatically, temperatures throughout the study area have <br />increased during the period 1895 to 1989. It also stated that there has been a <br />general decline in sediment loads in the rivers draining the Colorado plateau. <br /> <br />RCI (1991) suggested that the reduction in sediment load in the Green River <br />attributed to the closure of Flaming Gorge Dam (Andrews 1986) was partly due to <br />other factors such as climatically induced sediment storage within the tributaries <br />to the Green River. RCI (1991) inferred that this decline in sediment loads <br />throughout the Colorado basin casts doubt on the equilibrium status of the Green <br />River prior to Flaming Gorge Dam construction reported by Andrews (1986). RCI <br />(1991) also concluded that the cause and effect relationship between Flaming <br />Gorge flow regulation and channel narrowing (and the loss of backwater habitat) <br />was the result of reduced peak flows and reduced transport capacity and was not <br />the result of a change in sediment supply. <br /> <br />RCI (1991) proposed that the response of the Little Snake River to potential <br />projects in the upper watershed may be similar to the Green River response to <br />Flaming Gorge. The primary sediment source areas in the Little Snake River Basin; <br />however, are downstream of proposed water projects such as High Savery <br />Reservoir. Therefore, the impact would be a reduction in transport capacity <br /> <br />42 <br />