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depressions that are currently not connected to the river and receive water <br />from groundwater infiltration, wetland terraces that are only inundated during <br />flooded periods, or canyon mouths that are "ribbon-like" channels in narrow <br />canyons adjacent to the main river flow. During high flow events, some of <br />these off-channel features are temporarily connected to the river. Re- <br />establishing connectivity to the mainstem river may provide off-channel <br />habitats for endangered fishes that are essential for effective management of <br />the riverine ecosystem and recovery of endangered fishes. Former natural <br />riverine features could be integrated into the historic floodplain by removing <br />portions of human-made dikes or natural obstructions (e.g., gravel and sand <br />bars). <br />Habitat development and enhancement is identified as one of the five <br />principal elements of the Recovery Program (U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service <br />[FWS] 1987). Protection, restoration, and enhancement of inundated bottomland <br />habitat along mainstem riparian corridors are believed to be important for <br />recovery of razorback sucker. Riparian enhancement in the Upper Colorado <br />River Basin can be accomplished by providing sufficient flows to inundate <br />bottomlands in a manner that approximates the natural hydrograph. If <br />sufficient flows cannot be obtained regularly, dikes and levees should be <br />breached at intervals to allow inundation of lowlands during high spring <br />flows. Restoration of flooded bottomland habitats will provide food that <br />should increase survival of larvae and juveniles of endangered fishes as well <br />as provide resting and feeding areas for adults. Before razorback sucker are <br />reintroduced into historical stream reaches of the Upper Colorado and Gunniso,d\ <br />rivers, a habitat enhancement program (i. e., flooded bottomland management) <br />must be implemented if recovery is to be realized. <br />Purpose and Objectives <br />The purpose of this study was to summarize all potential flooded <br />bottomland habitats in the Upper Colorado River Basin that were believed to be <br />important for recovery of endangered fishes, especially razorback sucker. The <br />inventory of these habitats provides managers with candidate sites for <br />acquisition, restoration, and management. The objectives of the study were <br />to: <br />1. Identify bottomlands adjacent to Upper Colorado River Basin mainstem <br />rivers representing potential endangered fish habitat. <br />2. Categorize and classify the bottomlands identified according to <br />potential value for endangered fish recovery. <br />3. Rank (prioritize) mainstem bottomlands by their perceived value to <br />endangered fish recovery. <br />The end product is an inventory of mainstem flooded bottomlands categorized by <br />size (area), extent of flooding, fish and water access, upland vegetation <br />types, ownership, and related criteria. Sites were ranked as to potential <br />contribution to endangered fish recovery. <br />2