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Last modified
8/11/2009 11:32:56 AM
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UCREFRP
UCREFRP Catalog Number
7614
Author
Valdez, R. A.
Title
Cataract Canyon Trip Report No. 2 -- Assess Reproductive Activity of Humpback Chub -- (April 11-16, 1988).
USFW Year
1988.
USFW - Doc Type
Logan, Utah.
Copyright Material
NO
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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Based on these two transects, the number of carp carcasses ranged from 137 <br />to 178 per 100 m of single shoreline, or 274 to 356 per 100 m of both <br />shorelines. This phenomenon was observed from the base of Big Drop 3 (RM <br />202.0) downstream to about Waterhole Canyon (RM 198.5); a distance of 3.5 miles <br />or about 5,630 m. Assuming that the number of carcasses in the two transects <br />reflected their abundance throughout the area, we estimate from 15,426 to <br />20,043 carp died in this area from winter ice conditions. The number of <br />channel catfish carcasses in the same area is estimated at 113 to 450. These <br />numbers may be considered high, since the transects were taken in areas with <br />concentrations of carcasses. However, numerous such concentrations were noted. <br />Also, the number of carcasses already washed away by the relatively higher <br />water level is not included in our estimates. We have confidence that these <br />estimates of fish carcasses are realistic. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />These are our first observations of this nature in Cataract Canyon, <br />perhaps because it is the first time we have been through the entire area in <br />the spring before runoff. It is possible that this phenomenon of "death by <br />ice" occurs in other years, but the evidence is inundated and scoured by spring <br />runoff. Nevertheless, what remains of the physical force wrought by the ice <br />jams of this past winter indicates that certain species of fish (carp and <br />channel catfish) are subject to substantial mortality from winte rice <br />conditions. The mechanism which brought about their death is unknown, but it <br />is speculated (based on observations during The winter Habitat study of Fishes <br />in the Green River) that the fish which frequented shallow water were entrapped <br />by the evergrowing ice and eventually became entombed. Death probably occurred <br />from lack of oxygen and freezing of tissues. The entombed fish were then <br />transported downstream as the ice became broken and jammed by fluctuating flows <br />and air temperatures. The fish were finally freed from their icy caskets and <br />deposited along the shoreline, in greater concentrations along the flat <br />lowlying areas. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Yet, this does not fully explain the occurrence of these carcasses in a 10 <br />to 15-m wide band above the current water level, considering that the flow on <br />April 15, 1988, was 11,440 cfs--probably twice the volume of water during <br />winter base flows. How, then did the fish and silt-laden ice end up 3 to 5 <br />vertical meters above the current water level? Since this phenomenon was seen <br />only from the base of Drop 3 to Waterhole Canyon, it is speculated that a huge <br />ice jam occurred at Waterhole that backed up ice and water for 3.5 miles to the <br />base of Big Drop 3. This is confirmed by the presence of huge 3 to 4-m high <br />piles of floatsam entrapped in the shoreline rocks overlooking Big Drop 3. The <br />silt band and fish were apparently deposited as the water subsided from breakup <br />of the ice jam. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />DIFFICULTIES OR PROBLEMS <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />No major difficulties or problems were encountered during trip no. 2. A <br />16-foot Dory (whitewater wood boat) was used as a support craft, and it was <br />noted that its capacity to carry cargo was limited. The craft was suitable for <br />this short trip with the small crew, but would not be suitable to provide <br />support for longer trips with more people. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />9 <br />
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