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29 <br />The relatively greater depletion of the Colorado mainstem compared to • <br />the Green River was cited as a probable reason. <br />o Years of high peak flows may not be ideal for Colorado squawfish recruitment <br />in the Upper Colorado River mainstem. <br />U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1987b) reported that recruitment of <br />Colorado squawfish was greatest in years of low peak flows for the <br />Colorado River proper above the mouth of the Green River. Differences <br />between this pattern and that exhibited by Colorado squawfish in the <br />Yampa River were attributed to the unique habitat-flow relationships for <br />each river. <br />o Flow regimes providing necessary cues and habitat for Colorado squawfish <br />spawning must also allow for larval survival and sufficient growth prior to their <br />first winter. <br />Kaeding and Osmundson (1986, 1988b) reported increased mortality of <br />Colorado squawfish due to decreased size going into their first winter. <br />Decreased growth rates were attributed to depressed water <br />temperatures brought about by increased flows. An inverse relationship <br />between flow and temperature was reported. High flows can be due to <br />high runoff levels in wet years or from deep release dams where summer <br />- fall baseflows are increased significantly over historic conditions. <br />o Flow fluctuations that are much slower or faster than historic rates can cause <br />fish mortality. <br />0