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1 <br /> <br />1 <br /> <br />1 <br />1 <br />1 <br /> <br /> <br />1 <br />1 <br />1 <br /> <br />1 <br />precluded direct observation of egg deposition, however, there is substantial <br />evidence that Colorado squawfish and other squawfish species require cleaned <br />cobble surfaces for egg adhesion (Burns 1966, Hamman 1981, Patton and Rodman <br />1969). Hamman (1981) also noted that hatching occurred on cobble surfaces. <br />Spawning of Colorado squawfish at a time when sediment transport is reduced <br />c <br />(Figure 9) tends to support this need. <br />Colorado squawfish spawning behavior may be divided into two p'nases: <br />1. Aresting-staging phase in pools or large shoreline eddies where the <br />fish may find suitable resting and feeding habitat between spawning <br />forays or where males may gather around females until they are ready <br />to deposit eggs; <br />2. Adeposition-fertilization phase on cobble bars, where males and <br />females congregate, females deposit eggs and males fertilize them, <br />Breeding adults occupied pools and/or eddies with an average depth and <br />velocity of about 7.0 ft and 1.0 f/s respectively, and cobble bars with an <br />average depth and velocity of 3.0 ft and 2.0 f/s respectively (Table 4). <br />FWS data (Tyus et al. 1987) and CDOW-NPS data (Wick et al. 1983) indicate <br />that Colorado squawfish spawning activity in the Yampa River occurs in the <br />lower 32 miles, particularly in a reach extending from Warm Springs Rapid (1L*1 <br />4. 1) upstream to the vicinity of Harding Hole (RM 20), Repeated captures of <br />ripe fish between RM 15 and RM 18.3 suggests that actual deposition and <br />fertilization of eggs may be concentrated in this area. This portion of the <br />Yampa Canyon (stratum 1, Figure 3) differs from other sections in that large, <br />deep pools and eddies are intermingled with runs and cobble bars. The latter <br />habitat is dominated by gravel, cobble, and boulder substrates. <br />A total of 290 Colorado squawfish were collected by FWS at the two <br />confirmed spawning sites in the Yampa and Green rivers during spawning period, <br />20 <br />