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<br />Final Report <br /> <br />2-3 <br /> <br />September 2000 <br /> <br />reliable data for refining the flow recommendations in the 1992 Biological Opinion, and <br />(3) investigate potential effects of increasing the temperature of water released from Flaming Gorge <br />Dam. The four major objectives of the investigation were to: <br /> <br />1. Track reproduction of the endangered fishes in the Green and lower Yampa Rivers and <br />determine relationships among seasonal flows, water temperatures, and reproductive <br />success; <br /> <br />2. Evaluate recruitment of the endangered fishes from age 0 to subsequent life-history <br />stages and determine relationships among seasonal flows, water temperatures, and <br />survival of young fish; <br /> <br />3. Monitor the relative abundance and population structure of the endangered fishes in <br />order to acquire information on interactions among fish species and how flows may <br />differentially affect populations; and <br /> <br />4. Determine how releases from Flaming Gorge Dam and flows from tributaries affect the <br />formation and maintenance of important habitats for the endangered fishes throughout <br />the Green River. <br /> <br />When designing the Flaming Gorge Flow Recommendations Investigation, the following <br />considerations were deemed important by the research team: <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />The research program should address all endangered fishes to the extent possible. <br />Nonnative and other native fishes should also be considered, especially in terms of their <br />interactions with endangered fishes. Endangered fishes included humpback chub, <br />Colorado pikeminnow, and razorback sucker. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Long-term, standardized studies extending for the length of the research period would <br />be needed to provide a database for assessment of the biological and physical responses <br />of the Green River ecosystem to implemented flow recommendations. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />The framework of the long-term effort should be sufficiently simple and flexible to <br />allow for continuity over time and collection of accurate quantitative data covering <br />important life-history stages. Consideration was given to the ability to link new data <br />with existing data and information generated from the Interagency Standardized <br />Monitoring Program (ISMP) and other studies. Research within the Flaming Gorge <br />Flow Recommendations Investigation should be coordinated with other studies or <br />programs in the Recovery Program such as ISMP, channel monitoring, and hydrology <br />support and with other research activities in the Green River funded outside of the <br />Recovery Program. <br />