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samples. The subsequent effect may be that they comprise a smaller portion of a larger sample, <br />but do not actually decline in abundance. However, density and relative abundance trends for <br />2002 to 2004 data often tracked each other closely, suggesting that relative abundance measures <br />often reflect density as well, and that reductions were real. Continued density difference <br />comparisons will allow us to track such changes more closely. <br />Evaluation of the high flows in 1997 and 1999 was difficult because those events were <br />relatively far removed, on a temporal scale, from our sampling. Those flows no doubt had <br />positive benefit for physical habitat, including channel scouring and reworking, and associated <br />removal of invasive tree species in Lodore Canyon and downstream reaches (Muth et al. 2000). <br />Benefits to biota would be best evaluated in a time frame closely associated with the event. <br />Potential measures of effects of high flows would be sampling of fish in low-velocity areas in <br />summer and autumn such as was done in this study. With such data collected over a relatively <br />long time frame, differences in reproductive success and abundance of native and non-native <br />fishes could be evaluated. Escapement of smallmouth bass from Flaming Gorge Reservoir during <br />spills is a potential downside of high flows, especially if release elevation levels coincide with <br />vertical distribution of fish in the reservoir. <br />The net effect of flow and temperature regimes on the native fish community in this river <br />reach, based on our 2002 to 2004 sampling, was mixed. During this study, we were able to obtain <br />information on the response of the fish community to flow and temperature effects, but only at the <br />lower end of the flow spectrum. Flow and temperature conditions observed in 2002 to 2004 fell <br />within the bounds for recommendations that would be implemented in years with low or <br />moderately low water availability, which happen in only 30% of years. Average, moderately <br />high, and high flow years, which occur the other 70% of the time, were not evaluated because <br />those conditions were not realized during this study period. Additional years of sampling when <br />those flow conditions return are needed to fully assess the effects of pending flow and <br />temperature recommendations for Flaming Gorge Dam on the fish community of the Green River. <br />Because components of the fish community may be changing regardless of changes in flow and <br />temperature conditions, monitoring should be on an annual basis. This would allow for <br />67