7081

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7081
• Author: Chart, T. E.
• Title: Initial Effect of Impoundment on the Fish Community of the White River, Colorado.
• USFW Year: 1987.
• USFW - Doc Type: Colorado State University,
• Copyright Material: NO

STUDY AREA
The White River, which originates in northwestern Colorado, flows
400 kilometers and drains 13,000 sq. km. before joining the Green River
in northeast Utah. All locations on the river were described as
distance (River Kilometers (RK}) upstream from this Green and White
Rivers confluence (RK 0.0). Turbidi~ties are typically high and summer
temperatures often exceed 20C in the study area. Substrate is
predominantly medium sized cobbles cemented in place with fine
sediments accounting for a smooth armoured bottom. Channel gradients
average 0.135 9o throughout the study area, accounting for the
preponderance of run habitats although areas of moderate to high water
velocities do exist.
In the vicinity of impoundment, the river meanders through a
cultivated valley bordered by slopes supporting sagebrush, pinyon pine
and juniper. Closer to the Colorado-Utah stateline, the surrounding
land becomes more barren and the river flows through areas of deeply
incised canyons.
Taylor Draw Dam, located 16 km east of Rangely, Colorado
(Figure 1.1) was completed in the fall of 1984. The resulting
reservoir (Kenney Reservoir) inundated ,lOkm of riverine habitat,
impounds 17 cubic hectometers and has a maximum depth of 13.7 meters