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are potentially limiting species in decline; e.g., a high number of an <br />endangered species in one restricted location may not justify its delisting. <br />Based on professional interpretation of the-best available data, the <br />following flow and non-flow related measures are considered important for <br />recovery of listed Colorado River fishes in the Green River basin. These are <br />presented by time of year and species. <br />Spring (March 21-June 21) <br />Colorado squawfish <br />The presence of adult Colorado squawfish in inundated shorelines and lowlands <br />during spring runoff suggests that such behavior, and associated feeding, may <br />offset the large energy expenditure required for migration and spawning. Thus, <br />natural flooding of lowlands in the spring and the consequent increased <br />availability of food and habitat is viewed as important toward physiological <br />readiness of adult Colorado squawfish. Migration signals the onset of the <br />reproductive cycle in Colorado squawfish, and we consider migration cues <br />(e.g., high. spring flows, increasing river temperatures, possible chemical <br />inputs from flooded land) important to the maintenance of successful <br />reproduction. Migration routes must be protected and barriers discouraged. The <br />duration, magnitude, and timing of spring runoff also affects preparation of <br />substrate for spawning, and formation of eddy and pool habitats used by <br />staging fish. High spring flows mobilize and deliver nutrients and sediments <br />downstream, and create nursery areas. <br />Humpback chub <br />The availability of rocky, canyon-bound habitat used by humpback chub may be <br />adversely affected by the present alteration of spring runoff in the Green <br />River. Spawning of humpback chub occurs shortly after highest spring discharge <br />at river temperatures of about 20°C in the Yampa River, and presumably in Gray <br />Canyon area of the Green River. Reduced spring runoff may aid growth of the <br />introduced salt cedar, Tamarix, which may result in bank stabilization and <br />increased habitat for introduced fishes. Flow effects on the availability of <br />shoreline eddy habitat, bank stabilization due to exotic vegetation <br />overgrowth, and abundance of channel catfish and other potential competitor <br />and predator non-native fishes, remains poorly known in the Green River basin. <br />The few captures of humpback chubs in Whirlpool Canyon in recent years <br />(relative to earlier decades) indicates a general decline of Gila in that <br />system. This may be due to cooler temperatures from Flaming Gorge Dam <br />operations. <br />Razorback sucker <br />Razorback suckers spawn in the Jensen area of the upper Green River, with <br />increasing and highest spring flows that are maintained by runoff from the <br />Yampa River. Curtailment of spring runoff in the mainstream Green River and <br />consequent colder river temperatures downstream from Flaming Gorge Dam, may be <br />related with the loss of recruitment in this species. Flooding of lowlands <br />during spring runoff is considered beneficial to adults and may be important <br />for dispersal and rearing of young. Shallow, flooded areas would also heat <br />more rapidly than the river, and provide more favorable rearing temperatures. <br />Flaming Gorge releases should provide spring flooding of spawning areas and <br />lowlands to aid in reestablishment of razorback sucker. Influence of spring <br />26 <br />