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3 <br />of endemic fishes in the upper basin. This study was initiated to <br />determine the importance of the Yampa River in the ecology of the <br />razorback sucker (Figure 1) and to locate other reaches inhabited by <br />this species. In addition, life history information was collected on <br />two other indigenous suckers that are still abundant in the upper <br />Colorado River basin -- the flannelmouth sucker, Catostomus Zatipinnis, <br />and the bluehead sucker, C. disccb oZus (Figure 1). <br />The depletion and extinction of native fish has alarmed many <br />biologists and certain segments of the public in recent years [MinkZey, <br />1965; MinkZey and Deacon, 1968; MiZZer, 1961, 1963, and 1972; Deacon, <br />1968; Constantz, 1974; Reiger, 1977]. The result has been increased <br />efforts to insure the preservation of the native species. Natural <br />resource managers, traditionally oriented toward sport fish and wild- <br />life, must assume the responsibility for the management of native <br />fish [Pfister, 1976]. Habitat requirements, distribution, abundance <br />and life history data areneeded to facilitate the management of these <br />species. This information is particularly important to the fish of <br />the Colorado River basin. The water of the basin is in great demand <br />and will undoubtedly continue to be developed [Cranford and Peterson, <br />19741. In order to minimize the impacts of further alterations on <br />the native fish, their ecological and biological requirements must be <br />known. This study was designed to increase that knowledge. The <br />objectives of this study were: <br />1. To monitor the distribution and relative abundance of the <br />endangered fish species, as well as of other species, found in the <br />Colorado River drainage. <br />2. To determine movements of the razorback sucker, with special