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As alternate reservoir-controlled hydrographs are tested and <br />evaluated, the multiple year effects will consider other impacts of <br />the biological response and statistical significance before <br />reaching conclusions on the desirability of any particular flow <br />regime. <br />Secondary Channel Ichthyofaunal Characterization - Fish <br />communities of secondary channels of the San Juan River between <br />Hogback Diversion, New Mexico and Bluff, Utah were inventoried <br />during summer lowflows in 1991 and spring runoff and summer <br />lowflows in 1992. Four types of secondary channel (based upon <br />length and proportion of total stream discharge) and 21 <br />macrohabitat types (defined by water velocity, depth, substrate, <br />location in relation to channel bank, and cover type) were <br />recognized. During summer lowflows, fish populations were sampled <br />by macrohabitat type while sampling was by secondary channel for <br />most spring runoff collections; several small secondary channels <br />were sampled by macrohabitat. <br />Non-native red shiner was the most abundant species found in <br />secondary channels during summer lowflows in both years. Also <br />moderately common were non-native fathead minnow and native <br />speckled dace and flannelmouth sucker. During 1991 and 1992 spring <br />runoff, however, native flannelmouth sucker, speckled dace, and <br />bluehead sucker were the most abundant species found in secondary <br />channels. Non-native red shiner and channel catfish were <br />moderately common. No rare fishes (roundtail chub, Colorado <br />squawfish, or razorback sucker were found in secondary channels <br />during this phase of the study in 1991 or 1992. <br />Common carp, bluehead sucker, and channel catfish were moderately <br />common in secondary channels during spring runoff, but were very <br />rare in secondary channels during summer lowflows. Plains <br />killifish was irregularly collected in secondary channels during <br />summer lowflows but was not found in them during spring runoff. <br />Relative abundance of several species varied longitudinally in one <br />or both seasons in 1992. Bluehead sucker was found in most <br />secondary channels during spring runoff, but was absent from <br />secondary channels downstream of River Mile 135 during summer <br />lowflow. Flannelmouth sucker had a similar pattern of declining <br />abundance in downstream secondary channels during summer lowflows. <br />No other commonly collected species exhibited as distinct <br />longitudinal abundance patterns, but differences were discerned. <br />During summer lowflows, some segregation of species by macrohabitat <br />type was noted. Red shiner and fathead minnow were more-common in <br />low-velocity macrohabitats. Although comparatively common in low- <br />velocity macrohabitats, flannelmouth sucker tended to be more <br />common in intermediate-velocity macrohabitats. Speckled dace was <br />most common in intermediate- to rapid-velocity macrohabitats. <br />17 <br />