7780

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7780
• Author: Brooks, J. E., et al.
• Title: San Juan River Seven Year Research Program Summary Report 1992.
• USFW Year: 1992.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

have exposed much of the bottom of the San Juan arm. The river
channel has incised into the sediment layer and altered the
original course. The San Juan River now passes over a bedrock
cliff approximately 8-10 m high before entering Lake Powell.
RESEARCH PLAN AND PROGRAM - A large array of research needs for the
San Juan River and the resident native fish community has been
previously identified in meetings, correspondence, memoranda, draft
research outlines, reports, and journal publications. A11, in
varying degrees, seek to obtain and evaluate data that are believed
necessary to conceive, design, and implement strategies to conserve
the native fish fauna of the river. The sheer extent of these
needs, coupled with the comparative paucity of actual knowledge of
factors influencing populations of native fishes in-the San Juan
River drainage, requires development of a hierarchical research
approach. Thus, a well defined continuum of research efforts is
required that clearly outlines activities, but which allows
modification of specific research programs as new information is
obtained. A basic concept of this Research Program is to consider
the entire fish community, native and nonnative species, with
particular emphasis on Colorado squawfish, razorback sucker, and
roundtail chub- (Gila robusta). In addition, because of the high
level of public interest and required information -for NEPA
compliance at the end of the research period, the trout fishery
associated with the Navajo Dam tailwater requires research
attention. Re-operation of Navajo Dam for mimicry of the natural
hydrograph requires evaluation of the trout fishery response to
such flows.
The Seven Year Research Plan (Research Plan) was devised in
conjunction with the Recovery Implementation Program for the San
Juan River. An interdisciplinary team representing the U. S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, U. S. Bureau of Reclamation, U. S. Bureau of
Indian Affairs, Southern Ute Tribe, New Mexico Department of Game
and Fish, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and the Colorado
Division of Wildlife was formed to guide research efforts.
Goals and Objectives - The ultimate goal of the Research Plan is
to identify the physical, chemical and biological factors that are
limiting for endangered and native fish populations in the San Juan
River and to provide management options to conserve and restore the
endangered fish community.
Specific objectives of the Research plan include;
1. Collect detailed information on the relative abundance
and distribution of fishes of the San Juan River basin,
with emphasis on areas downstream of Navajo Dam.
2. Characterize physical habitat for fishes in San Juan
River and the relationship between -flow and physical
habitat.
3