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

Relationship to Research Program
Very little information is currently available to use in making the winter flow
recommendations. for FGD. The information which is available is primarily
oriented towards adult Colorado squawfish and razorback sucker which are.
probably less susceptible to overwinter mortality than young fish. Daily
powerplant releases from FGD combined with relatively warm hypolimnetic
water may be producing ice conditions that reduce the availability of
overwinter nursery habitat for age-0 Colorado squawfish in the Green River.
This study would provide information on the effects of winter flows and
fluctuating flow on the habitats of young Colorado squawfish in the Green
River. It would also provide indirect information on the magnitude of flows
needed during other seasons to form stable overwinter habitats for young
fish. The study will draw additional information from ISMP and Overwinter
Survival Studies.
Description of Work
This study would measure backwaters with age-0 Colorado squawfish in fall
and winter to determine the effect of flow regulation and ice formation on
habitat availability. The principal hypothesis is tha# surface ice and frazil ice
reduce habitat availability and the winter survival of age-0 Colorado squawfish
in the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam. The study area would extend
from Echo Park to Ouray, UT, and would be subdivided into three reaches
which are representative of differing winter conditions which occur under ice
over in the Green River. Three backwaters of differing geomorphic
characteristics will be mapped and monitored in each reach to quantify
changes in habitat and Colorado squawfish abundance under differing ice
conditions.
Study # FG-I. Technical Integration and Synthesis of Flaming Gorge Research.
Study Goals
To consolidate biological and physical information that has been generated in
the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam and prepare a final report which
will form the scientific basis for the revised Biological Opinion on the
operation of Flaming Gorge.
Relationship to Research Program
This study will be the mechanism by which the various components of the
Flaming Gorge Research Program are linked in a final product.
Description of Work
The study which will be implemented over a three year period will include;
-A review and compilation of all existing literature relevant to the Green River,
-Review and integration of current Flaming Gorge Research, and
-Production of final report which consolidates all available information and
makes flow recommendations for the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam
Flaming Gorge Research Program 30