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Recommendations 1 The re-installation of the level loggers in the Green River requires a relatively minimal effort for most of the existing sites. The level logger data provides the high flow discharge hydrographs throughout the critical nursery habitat for larval razorback sucker from the Jensen gage to the confluence with the Colorado River. The re-installation of the level loggers and the collection of three discharge measurements to verify the rating curve is all the effort necessary to continue collecting the seasonal high flow hydrographs. This level logger data together with the data from Jensen and the Green River gages establishes the flow hydrograph variation in the river system. The level loggers are located such that the river reaches range from 40 to 90 miles between the gaging sites. This data base will be used for future analysis of the Flaming Gorge releases, flooded bottomlands habitat restoration, FLO-2D flood routing simulation and Recovery Program field research. It is recommended that the level logger monitoring program be continued. The following recommendations are suggested to improve the discharge monitoring program: • Replace the strip chart recorders with level logger installation at Mitten Park and Ouray Wildlife Refuge. • Move the Canyonlands level logger to Bonita Bend next to the existing staff gages. • histall staff gages at Mitten Park, Ouray Wildlife Refuge, Below the White River and in Desolation Canyon. The staff gages will be used to calibrate the level logger and provide researchers with immediate discharge estimates. The staff gages can be erected when the level loggers are re-installed. The cost of the staff gages is minimal (requiring only a couple of hours of field work). • A minimum of three discharge measurements at each level logger (a total five loggers) is recommended each year to calibrate the rating curve. More discharge measurements would improve the analysis, but more than five discharge measurements per year is probably unnecessary. Most of the level loggers have been installed in locations where the channel is very stable and after another year of data collection, a few of locations may have to be monitored only once or twice a year. The cost of the level logger monitoring program is projected at approximately $35,000 per year including equipment, travel expenses, and report preparation. • More frequent discharge measurements should be collected by the USGS at the Jensen and Green River gages during the higher flows of the runoff hydrograph. More discharge data would improve the resolution of the USGS discharge estimates during periods of stage shifts at these rivergages. • It is recommended that sediment measurements be collected in conjunction with the discharge measurements. Suspended load sediment samples can be collected at each site and would required an additional hour of field effort. This sediment data collection program could be coordinated through the Sediment Transport Workshop and would ]7