WSP00892

• File Number: 8240.300.03
• Description: San Juan River - Recovery Implementation Program - General Info
• Basin: San Juan/Dolores
• Water Division: 7
• Date: 2/4/1992
• Title: San Juan River Seven Year Research Plan ‎(Fiscal Year 1992)‎
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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San Juan Seven Year Research Plan

WORK STATEMENT/PROTOCOL

ADULT MONITORING - USFWS

Background:
Prior to 1987, irregular sampling efforts had documented a native San Juan River
fish fauna of eight species and a possible ninth, including Colorado squawfish,
razorback sucker, and roundtail chub. Although not confirmed in the literature,
the ninth species (bony tail chub) was found to be a historic component of the
fish fauna after reexamination of museum specimens (Platania pers COlM>.).
Surveys during 1987-1989 (Platania 1990) confirmed the persistence of the
Colorado squawfish, razorback sucker, and roundtail chub and provided some
baseline information .on the distribution and abundance of fish species in the San
Juan River.

Despite confirmation of Colorado squawfish, razorback sucker, and roundtail chub
in the San Juan River, there are important unanswered questions regarding the
overall range, boundaries of primary ranges (residency or non-residency in the
San Juan River), location of spawning and nursery habitats, and abundance of
these species.

Research in other upper basin rivers of the Colorado River drainage and
preliminary findings from studies conducted in the San Juan River in 1991 have
shown that tracking radio-tagged fish can result in location of aggregations of
the target species (particularly Colorado squawfish) during certain seasons and
determination of spawning areas.

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Objectives:
1.) Refine abundance and distribution data of the native and non-native fish
conununity in the San Juan with emphasis on target species (Colorado
squawfish,. razorback sucker, and roundtail chub)

2.) Locate potential spawning areas of target species
3.) Determine habitat use and needs of target species

Tasks:
1. ) Collect
possible

2. )
3. )

4. )

5. )

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as many Colorado squawfish, razorback sucker,
for tagging, habitat, and distribution studies.

and chubs

as

PIT tag all adult Colorado squawfish and razorback sucker. .

Implant adult Colorado squawfish and razorback sucker collected with radio
transmitters (up to 10 each).

Collect tissues for genetic analysis. Muscle and fin tissue will be
collected from all endangered fish for allozyme analysis. In addition, if
the fish are ripe, gamete samples will be collected for mitochondrial DNA
analysis. Region 6 Service fisheries personnel will be responsible for
collection, labeling, storing, and shipping genetic samples. The protocol
to be followed is attached.

Collect data on habitat in which endangered fish were found. Mark
collection sites of all endangered fish on aerial photographs. This
should include precise locations, surface area of general habitat,
substrate, depth, cover, and relation of this habitat to other habitats
(riffles, pools, low-velocity areas, main and secondary channels, shore,
etc.)

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