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<br />0016\.16 <br /> <br />Other shorter-term studies were also conducted during the 7-year research period. The NMGF <br />started a study of the tail water trout fishery below Navajo Dam in 1991 that continued for 4 years. <br />The study area was the first 15 miles below Navajo Dam. Although not a study of native fishes, <br />this study was funded because of concerns that reoperation of Navajo Dam may impact the blue- <br />ribbon trout fishery that existed below the dam. This study, which included trout population and <br />movement studies and water quality and angler surveys, addressed Objective 3. <br /> <br />In 1990, the Bureau initiated a mapping study of backwaters and other low-velocity habitats using <br />airborne videography. It was the only physical study that was conducted during 1991. This study <br />continued until 1993, when it was discontinued as more-detailed habitat studies using other <br />methods were initiated. <br /> <br />In 1992, as the studies of the 7-year research period were integrated into the SJRIP, another core <br />study was initiated. The BIA, through Keller-Bliesner Engineering, initiated a study that included <br />all of the physical and hydrologic efforts necessary to meet Objective 2. These studies were <br />conducted throughout the study area and provided basic information on flow and water <br />temperature, as well as a physical habitat mapping component that was adopted by most of the <br />other studies. Another major task of these studies was determining geomorphic reaches in the San <br />Juan River with similar habitat features. They were also adopted by the other studies for reporting <br />data. These reaches are shown on Figure 2.1. In 1992, the BIA and Bureau initiated another study <br />to meet part of Objective 2 that involved developing a river operation simulation model that <br />became an important part of future flow recommendations. This study was also continued through <br />the 7-year research period. <br /> <br />Another study that started in 1992 and continued through the 7-yearresearch period concerned fish <br />health. During sampling in 1991 and early 1992, biologists noted that many native suckers had <br />lesions and sores. Consequentially, a fish health expert was added to adult monitoring trips in <br />October 1992. This study was the first example of adaptive management within the SJRIP: a need <br />was identified and the research element was quickly added to address that need. This study met <br />part of Objective 2. <br /> <br />Also initiated in 1992 was a study that investigated the fish fauna of the various permanent <br />tributaries to the San Juan River. Conducted by Miller Ecological Consultants for the Southern Ute <br />Indian Tribe, the study lasted for 2 years and addressed Objective I. It included both field <br />sampling and summarizing other agencies' fish collections from 1994 through 1998. <br /> <br />Three studies were started in 1993. The NMGF examined fish population dynamics in several <br />permanent, secondary channel sites. This study addressed Objectives I and 3 and was conducted <br />for 2 years. Miller Ecological Consultants initiated more-intensive monitoring of Colorado <br />pikeminnow that were radio-tagged by the USFWS during its adult monitoring study. This study <br />addressed Objective 4, and fish were followed during spawning in order to locate spawning areas <br />and define habitat used during that period. This study was also conducted in 1994, when winter <br />habitat use was also investigated. The study was reinitiated in 1998 to monitor stocked radio- <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />2-9 <br /> <br />Program Evaluation Report <br /> <br />September 2000 <br />