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result in additional releases from the dam to increase peak flows. However, Yampa <br />River runoff will remain the most important influence in producing an elevated runoff <br />pulse in the mainstream Green River. <br />In addition to altering the natural hydrograph of the Green River, Flaming Gorge Dam <br />has eliminated sediment transport from upstream reaches and introduced cold water <br />into a warmwater river. The effects of these alterations to physical habitat used by the <br />native fishes are ameliorated gradually with distance below the dam. Although native <br />fishes have been displaced by cold water immediately below the dam, the endangered <br />fishes continue to use warmer reaches in Browns Park and Lodore Canyon. Colorado <br />pikeminnow continue to use mainstream habitat in Lodore Canyon and venture into <br />Browns Park. Some adult razorback suckers occupy the lower part of Lodore Canyon. <br />Furthermore, bonytail have been reintroduced into Browns Park. This part of the river <br />system is not now included as critical habitat, but actual and potential habitat use by <br />endangered fishes suggests that a review would be in order. <br />The White River is heavily used by adult Colorado pikeminnow, especially in the 20 <br />miles above the mouth and immediately below Taylor Draw Dam. Although critical <br />habitat is designated as far upstream as Rio Blanco Lake, about 32% of historic habitat <br />is not accessible to the fish due to Taylor Draw Dam, -which poses an impassible <br />barrier. Kenney Reservoir, impounded by the dam, is a major source of nonnative <br />fishes that move downstream into high priority recovery areas, and is rapidly filling with <br />sediment. Various alternatives have been evaluated for reducing the sediment impacts, <br />and several of these could benefit Colorado pikeminnow recovery efforts. Serious <br />consideration should be given to implementing measures to restore passage of <br />Colorado pikeminnow upstream of the dam, including various alternatives that <br />incorporate bypasses and dam removal. <br />The Duchesne River is used by Colorado pikeminnow and razorback- sucker, especially <br />near the mouth, although an occasional fish has been recorded much further <br />upstream. Critical habitat for the razorback sucker now includes 2.5 miles of river above <br />the mouth. Recent captures of Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker warrant <br />further evaluation of the Duchesne River for its recovery potential. Habitat conditions <br />have been altered significantly by flow depletions and introductions of nonnative fish <br />species. The Duchesne River provides a steady supply of nonnatives to mainstream <br />habitat in the Green River. <br />The Price and San Rafael rivers make relatively minor contributions to flow and <br />sediment in the Green River system, but both furnish some habitat used by the <br />endangered fishes. A few adult Colorado pikeminnow have been recorded in the Price <br />River, and larval razorback suckers and juvenile pikeminnow have been found in the <br />lower San Rafael River. Critical habitat has not been designated in either river, except <br />that the mouth of each stream is in the 100-year floodplain of critical habitat designated <br />for the Green River. <br />ix <br />C <br />