9393

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9393
• Author: Crist, L. and R. Williams.
• Title: Five Year Flaming Gorge Research Program FY 1995.
• USFW Year: 1994.
• USFW - Doc Type: 32-41, Fg-I,
• Copyright Material: NO

OBJECTIVE 2.-Evaluate recruitment of endangered fishes from age 0 to subsequent
life-history stages and determine relationships between seasonal flows and survival of young
fish.
OBJECTIVE 3.-Monitor the relative abundance and population structure of endangered and
other fishes to acquire information on interactions among fishes and on how flows may
differentially affect selected fish species.
OBJECTIVE 4.-Determine how releases from FGD and flows from tributaries -affect formation
and maintenance of important habitats for endangered and other native fishes throughout the
Green River.
3.0.2. RESEARCH PROGRAM PLAN/APPROACH
In 1990, Reclamation submitted a proposal to RIP that called for acooperative-agency
approach to accomplish the 5 years of research on operation of FGD. A Flaming Gorge
Research Team composed of upper basin researchers was assembled under the RIP to
design and conduct studies that would provide data necessary for support or refinement of the
seasonal flow recommendations set forth by the Service in the Biological Opinion on operation
of FGD. Research would be designed along a "systems-oriented" approach, with the Service
and Reclamation coordinating annual efforts. The Flaming Gorge Research Team consists of
representatives from Reclamation, the Service, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR),
Larval Fish Laboratory {LFL) at Colorado State University, Utah State University, Colorado
Division of Wildlife (CDOW), National Park Service (NPS), Bio/Vlfest, Inc., and Western Area
Power Administration (WAPA). A number of assumptions and considerations, listed below,
were made by the Flaming Gorge Research Team in assembling the overall research program.
^ The research program should address all endangered fishes to the extent possible.
Nonnative and other native fishes should also be considered, especially in terms of their
interactions with endangered fishes. Endangered fishes that would be addressed
__ include Colorado squawfish, razorback sucker, humpback chub, and bonytail.
^ ^ Long-term, standardized studies extending the length of the research period would
be needed to provide a data base for assessment of biological and physical responses
of the Green River ecosystem to implemented flow recommendations.
^ Framework of the long-term effort needed to be sufficiently simple and flexible to
allow for continuity over time and collection of sound, quantiftable data covering
important life-history stages. Consideration was given to the ability to link new data with
existing data and information generated from the Interagency Standardized Monitoring
Program (1SMP) and other studies.
^ Because state of knowledge of the biology and life history of Colorado squawfish is
more complete, compared to razorback sucker, humpback chub, and bonytail, flow
recommendations would- emphasize Colorado squawfish needs. Long-term studies
should therefore focus on Colorado squawfish. As knowledge of the biology and life
Flaming Gorge Research Program 4