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base flows that more closely approximated historical levels. Increased releases later in summer <br />to meet federally mandated discharge levels in the Green River at Jensen, Utah, caused water <br />temperature in the downstream portion of the regulated reach to peak early in summer, but then <br />decline the rest of the summer rather than continue to warm. Re-creation of physical habitat <br />similar to what historically occurred in Lodore Canyon will require discharge regimes that more <br />closely approximate historical conditions and additional warming of water in summer. <br />Composition and reproductive status of the fish community in the regulated reach, 1962- <br />1 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />ii <br /> <br />1996.-The historical fish community of the Green River upstream of the Yampa River has <br />undergone dramatic shifts in fish species composition and abundance at least two times since <br />1962 in response to dam construction and river regulation. The largest impact was from creation <br />and operation of Flaming Gorge Reservoir (Vanicek et al. 1970). After normal operations began <br />in 1967, all native fishes were very rare, and reproduction was essentially absent throughout the <br />entire regulated reach (Vanicek et al. 1970, Holden and Crist 1981). Cold water fishes replaced <br />native taxa, including the four big-river forms bonytail, humpback chub, Colorado pikeminnow, <br />and razorback sucker, all of which are now federally listed as endangered. Apre-impoundment <br />fish removal program also likely reduced distribution and abundance of native fishes in the <br />regulated reach; subsequent re-invasion likely did not occur because of cold releases (Holden <br />1991). <br />Following enhancement of summer water temperatures in 1978, a total of nine native <br />fishes was detected in the regulated reach. Reproduction by several, including flannelmouth and <br />bluehead suckers and speckled dace was documented (Holden and Crist 1981). Adults of rare <br />native fish, including Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker, were captured in low numbers <br />but reproduction was not detected. Immediate invasion of the regulated reach by several obligate <br />warm water non-native taxa, and subsequent reproduction, also demonstrated the powerful role <br />that water temperature played in regulating fish distribution and community composition. <br />Discharge modifications implemented in 1992, and associated thermal enhancement; also <br />appeared to further shift the fish community and habitat in the Lodore Canyon reach of the Green <br />27 <br />