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<br /> <br />1 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />1 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />The relationships between timing and duration of reproduction and stream flow and water <br />temperatures that we found for 1997 to 1999 were similar to those found by Muth et al. (1998) <br />from 1992 to 1996. Our analyses with relatively sparse data suggested that razorback sucker <br />spawning in the middle Green River occurred from early May to early June when flow levels were <br />increasing or at their peak and when water temperatures were in the 10 to 17°C range. Spawning <br />was earlier in the lower Green River, from late Mazch to early June, and over a longer period, than <br />in the middle Green River perhaps because the river warms earlier at that lower elevation. Flow <br />levels during razorback sucker spawning in the lower Green River were relatively low compared <br />to the middle Green River because of earlier reproduction, but occurred at a similar 6 to 15°C <br />temperature range. This suggested rising water temperature or absolute temperature level maybe <br />amore important environmental cue for spawning than flow level. <br />Changes in historical stream flow and temperature patterns may affect not only spawning <br />periodicity but also recovery potential of endangered razorback sucker. Recommendations for <br />operation of Flaming Gorge Dam in the upper Green River system included increasing the <br />frequency and duration of spring flows to inundate flood plains (Muth et al. 2000). Flood plain <br />inundation may create relatively food-rich and warm areas for larvae ofspring-spawning <br />razorback suckers, which may enhance their recruitment success. A key element of that flow <br />management scenazio is to time releases to provide habitat when larvae are present (e.g., post- <br />emergence}. Based on limited capture data, larvae were present in the lower Green River prior to <br />or during most of the high flow periods from 1997 to 1999. Relatively early spawning in that azea <br />would allow larvae to incubate and emerge about the time that flows were peaking. In contrast, <br />capture dates of the few larvae available from the middle Green River in 1997 and 1998 coincided <br />only with the latter part of spring peak flows, or with declining flow levels. This was the case for <br />27 <br />