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lowest flow period of the year (i.e. August - October). The specific objectives of this study include: 1) determine the composition, dimensions and characteristics of riverine habitat at randomly selected sites in the Yampa River at low flows during the 1996 -1997 baseflow period, 2) Monitor the movements of Colorado squawfish, humpback chub, northern pike, and channel catfish in the Yampa River during the low flow periods to determine the range of movement and habitats occupied (CS and HC) during the baseflow periods, and postmigrational movement (CS) through Cross Mountain Canyon. 3) Using the data collected on habitat availability (including the depth at which riffles become barriers to movement) and fish movement during the baseflow periods of two years develop a recommendation on the need for low flow management in the Yampa River. Study Area The study area includes the lower 135 miles of the Yampa River. The lower 58 miles, with the exception of Lily Park, is a canyon -bound river reach characterized by high gradient and variable substrate size. The upper reach of the study area is characterized by a lower gradient and floodplain (except Juniper Canyon) adjacent to the river. For logistical reasons, the study area was divided in to two reaches, from it confluence with the Green River to Cross Mountain Canyon (River Mile - RM 58), and from Cross Mountain Canyon to near the city of Craig (RM 135). Data collection in the lower portion of the study area was conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Colorado Division of Wildlife supervised data collection in the upper reach. Total annual runoff for the Maybell gage period of record of 81 years, from 1916 to 1996, is 1.13 million -acre feet MAF). The annual runoff for 1996 was 1.57 MAF and it was 1.88 MAF for 1997. Bankfull flow, defined as the channel forming flow, typically 4