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<br />METHODS <br /> <br />Many of the investigative techniques were developed during the earlier <br />Colorado River Fishery Project (CRFP) studies and have been continued <br />for continuity and comparability of results between years. A major <br />discussion of the standardized procedures utilized by the CRFP was <br />presented by Archer et a1. (1980) and in the Final Report, Part 2 <br />(Miller et a1. 1982). Some adjustments have been made to improve <br />effectiveness and efficiencies, to expand research into areas not <br />previously pursued, and to discontinue some types of sampling not deemed <br />especially relevant or effective. <br /> <br />Population Monitoring <br /> <br />Information on the abundance and distribution of the endangered fishes <br />in the Upper Basin is especially critical to determining habitat needs <br />and population responses to environmental conditions and management <br />programs. Earlier investigations dealt with all size classes throughout <br />the year. Sampling techniques were geared to the most efficient method- <br />ologies, or a combination thereof, which required an extensive expenditure <br />of resources. These studies have been redirected to size-classes of <br />Colorado squawfish of particular interest that can be efficiently <br />sampled or to activities directed toward speci~ic objectives. <br /> <br />Of particular interest has been the annual level of recruitment which <br />reflects the adequacies of environmental conditions for reproduction and <br />subsequent survival of progeny. Considerable effort was devoted to <br />conducting standardized sampling of postlarval you~-of-the-year Colorado <br />squawfish during the fall as a standardized index of spawning success. <br />Also, larval sampling was conducted for the same purpose on a less <br />standardized regimen except in the Yampa River where the CDOW carried <br />out a very intensive sampling program ~ the lower Yampa River.) <br /> <br />3 <br />