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

Description of Work
An new-start study by USU in FY 94 under contract with UDWR. Objectives
are: 1) establish the role of Flaming Gorge Dam operations in causing
channel change during the past 30 yrs, 2) establish the relative significance of
these dam-induced changes in comparison to channel adjustments caused by
other factors that have occurred in the past century, and 3} assess the habitat
significance of these geomorphic changes. Changes will be interpreted by 1)
identifying those riparian features which have changed, 2) quantifying the
aquatic habitat area lost or gained, 3) analyzing changes in the frequency of
inundation of floodplain and terraces, and 4) assessing the habitat
significance of these changes by reference to published literature.
Study #38. Investigations into Potential Razorback Sucker and Colorado
SquawFsh Spawning in the Lower Green River.
Study Goals
To determine if razorback sucker spawn in the middle or lower Green River
and to determine if Colorado squawfish spawn in the vicinity of Millard
Canyon on the Green River.
Relationship to Research Program
The Service has identified the need to collect more information on the
importance of tributary flows (Duchesne R.) to endangered fish species in the
lower Green River: The need is re{ated to data requirements for the Revised
Flaming Gorge Dam Biological Opinion to be issued in 1997 and data needs
for the Uinta Basin Replacement Project Biological Opinion. The study would
add to basic biological knowledge of endangered fishes in the lower Green
River and be used to support flow recommendations for this section of river.
Positive results would lead to specific proposals designed to establish
habitatlflow relationships for the lower Green River. The study will
complement Study #34, Annual Assessment of Spawning Success, Larval
Distribution, and Habitat Selection of Mainstem Razorback Sucker which is
being conducted in the upper Green River. In addition, it will draw
information from the Early Biology Studies (completed) and Analysis of Past
Collections (completed). This study will help to establish basic information
needed for both Biological Opinions, however, since it is particularly pertinent
to the Uinta Basin Replacement Project the study is being fully funded outside
the RIP by the Central Utah Water Conservancy District (CUWCD).
Description of Work
Study #38, under the lead of UDWR, was initiated in FY 94 as a pilot study to
determine if razorback sucker and Colorado squawfish spawning occurs in
the lower Green River. Information has been collected which points to the
possibility of razorback sucker spawning in the vicinity of the San Rafael. River
and Colorado squawfish spawning near Millard Canyon on the Green River.
The main goal of this study would be to determine if spawning is occurring at
those- locations and how significant is it to endangered fish populations in the
Green River. Methods which would be employed would include examination
Flaming Gorge Research Program 27