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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Recommendations for each period, however, were supported by differing levels of
biological and physical data, with the most comprehensive data set covering the
summer/fall period.
2. Beginning in spring 1992, initiate a 5-year research program, including
implementation of research (test) flows in spring and winter, to provide data for
potential refinement of seasonal flow recommendations. Except for specific
winterlspring research flows during the 5-year research program, Green River flows will
resemble the historic natural hydrograph. This element was included for evaluation of
biological and physical responses of the Green River ecosystem to the recommended
flow conditions. Additionally, because winter/spring flow recommendations were based
on limited information, more research during these seasonal periods is required to refine
these flow recommendations.

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3. Determine the feasibility of releasing warmer water from FGD during the late
spring/summer period, and investigate the feasibiiity of retrofitting river bypass
tubes to include power generation for facilitation of greater -water releases in
spring.
4. Legal protection of Green River flows below FGD. Identify and recommend those
critical flows required to enhance and recover endangered fishes of the Green River
ecosystem (i.e., from FGD to Lake Powell). The state of Utah has indicated that until
quantifiable flow recommendations are made throughout the Green River, legal
protection will not be pursued. The Biological Opinion for operation of FGD only
recommends flows to Jensen, Utah. Therefore, the 5-year research program must
provide for collection of data to reliably support flow recommendations in lower reaches
of the Green River.
5. initiate discussions with the Service after conclusion of the 5 years of research
to examine further refinement of recommended Green River flows
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III. Study Goals, Objectives, and End Product:
Goal --Determine the biological and physical responses of the Green River ecosystem
(from FGD to Lake Powell) to implemented seasonal flow recommendations related to
operation of FGD, develop reliable data for refinement of the flow recommendations,
and investigate potential effects of increasing the temperature of water released from
FGD..
Objective 1.--Track the reproductive success of endangered and other fishes in the
Green and Yampa rivers and determine relationships between flow and spawning
success of endangered and other fishes downstream of FGD.
Objective 2.-Evaluate recruitment of endangered fishes from age 0 to subsequent
fife-his#ory stages and determine relationships between seasonal flows and survival of
young fish.
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