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

~ GOALS/OBJECTIVES

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~ The ultimate goal of the research is to determine the physical,
(>1 chemical and biological factors which are limiting for native fish
~ populations in the San Juan River and to provide management options
~ to conserve and restore the endangered fish community.

Specific objectives of the Research plan include;

1. Collect detailed information on the relative abundance
and distribution of fisheries in the San Juan River
basin, with emphasis on areas downstream of Navajo Dam.

2. Characterize physical habitat for fisheries in San Juan
River and the relationship between flow and physical
habitat.

3. Determine the biological response of fish populations to
the reoperation of Navajo Dam.

4. Determine habitat use and needs of the Colorado squawfish
in the San Juan River.

5. Determine habitat use and needs of razorback sucker in
the San Juan River.

Characterize water quality in the
identify critical quality issues
recovery of endangered species.

7. Identify interactions between native and non-native
fisheries.

6.

San Juan River and
which may affect

8. Identify and test management options which could improve
reproduction and recruitment of target species.

APPROACH

The Seven Year Research Plan has two basic components, Core
Research Programs and specific hypothesis related studies. Core
Research Programs are long term studies (3-7 years) which are
designed to measure the natural variability of fish populations and
the biological responses of the San Juan River system to changes in
flow over the seven year research period. Core programs involve
systematic research programs which extend for three or more years
so that relative changes in populations can be detected and related
to flow'or other events. The long term Core Research Programs are
an indispensable component of the research necessary to measure the
biOlogical response of the endangered fish fauna to the reoperation
of Navajo Dam during the research period as required in the
Reasonable and Prudent Alternative for the Animas~LaPlata Project.
HYPothesis testing studies are studies which will be specifically

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