7037

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7037
• Author: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Title: Fishery Research Report
• USFW Year: 1978.
• USFW - Doc Type: Flaming Gorge Reservoir.
• Copyright Material: NO

1. Determine the success of game fish species introduced.
2. Determine the succession of game and non-game fishes in the
impoundment.
3. Gain additional information relative to the effective management
of the reservoir.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RESERVOIR
Flaming Gorge Reservoir, uppermost of the large Colorado River
Storage Project reservoirs (only much smaller, Fontenelle Reservoir is
upstream), lies in Utah and Wyoming (Figure 1). It was completed in
1962 and began to back water in that year. At maximum pool the
reservoir will have a surface area of 14,000 hectares (42,000 surface
acres) and will be 146.9 km (91 miles) long.
Based on topographical, limnological and biological information the
reservoir was divided into three major areas; canyon, open and
inflow environments. The canyon area is the first 28.7 km (24 miles)
above Flaming Gorge Dam and is characterized by deep, seasonally
stratified water and sheer canyon walls. Mean depth in this area was
60 m (200 feet). The area is little affected by wind action because
of the protective canyons.
The open area is 48.2 km (30 miles) long and is about the middle
one-third of the reservoir. The open area is characterized by large
expanses of open water and an extensive littoral zone. Permanent
benthic stagnation does not occur because waters are effectively mixed
by wind action. Mean depth was 25.5 in (85 feet).
The inflow area is that portion of the reservoir influenced by the
Green and Blacks Fork rivers. Generally, this area is the northern 32.3
km (20 miles) of the lake. Mean depth was 15 in (50 feet). The inflow
area is influenced by prevailing winds and by turbidity from tributary
streams.
Eiserman and Stone (in press) have provided a detailed
description of the reservoir and have discussed background information
relative to the fishery.
METHODS
All fish were captured using experimental gillnets, 38.1 in x 1.8 in
with five 7.6 in panels of 20, 25, 38, 46 and 51 mm standard mesh.
Nets were set in February, April, August and November during the
period from 1963 through 1965 and in April, August and November
from 1965 through 1976. Nets were usually set for periods of 20 to 24
hours (overnight) in each of the three reservoir areas. Nets were set
randomly through the littoral areas.
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