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

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4.0.1, RESEARCH PROGRAM FOR FY 1995
This part contains the package of research studies proposed for the Five Year
Flaming Gorge Research Program in FY 1995. Studies that are ongoing or that will be
initiated in FY 1995 are briefly described, and their relationships to the overall program are
summarized. Studies are organized by major program components (i.e., Core-Research
and Hypothesis-Testing) A detailed Scope-of-Work for each study, submitted by the lead
agency responsible for conducting that study, can be found in document Section 3.
The Flaming Gorge package for FY 1995 is designed to provide a balance between
long-term data needs and collection of new information to address hypotheses for which
information is limited. Studies 32 thru 35 provide for the long-term monitoring/research
needed as well as the Collection of needed basic information on the reproduction and early
life history of razorback sucker. Within the Core-Research Studies component, study #32
was expanded in FY 1994 to provide more data on larval drift and flow relationships and
input into nursery habitat areas. Study #34 was also expanded in FY 1994 to collect more
information on razorback sucker spawning and larval distribution. Nursery Habitat and
Overwinter Survival studies (#33 and #35) are proceeding as planned.
Only one new start is proposed for FY 1995, "Technical Integration and Synthesis of
Flaming Gorge Flow Research". The purpose of the proposed new start is to integrate the
various research both historic and current that has been conducted below Flaming Gorge
Dam. The final product of this effort will be a consolidated report in 1997 which will form
the scientific basis for the revised Biological Opinion on the operation of Flaming Gorge
Dam.
There are no new start hypothesis-testing studies in FY 1995, all studies detailed in
the following section are ongoing pending annual review and approval. These include a
number of studies initiated during the 1994 field season such as Evaluation of the
Restoration Potential of the Green River Upstream of the Yampa River (Study #40). This
study addresses an identified data gap for the upcoming Flaming Gorge Dam Biological
Opinion. Other studies support ongoing research. The geomorphology study of the Green
River (Study #37) has broad application to all studies in that it looks at habitat change within
the system since the construction of FGD and the continuing influence of the dam on
riverine habitats. The Overwinter Nursery Habitat Study (#41) builds directly on Overwinter
Survival to determine winter flow needs. The study entitled Effects of Winter and Spring
Flows on Movement, Dispersal and Survival of Young Colorado Squawfish (Study #36)
examines the effects of overwinter and spring flows on young Colorado squawfish and also
provides valuable information for the Nursery Habitat and Overwinter Survival studies.
Studies #38 and #39, investigating spawning and recruitment of endangered fishes in the
middle and lower Green River, fill information gaps for these species and the lower Green
River system.
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