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<br />t;G " . <br />... .t. <br /> <br />Field work for this study (permanent secondary channel study sites) was completed in September <br />1996. Data collected between July 1993 and November 1994 from permanent study secondary <br />channel study sites have been compiled, analyzed, and presented in one published manuscript and <br />another that is in preparation. Data collected from secondary channel permanent sites since <br />November 1994 will be combined with that obtained during the initial phase. This information <br />will be synthesized into a single report on secondary channel fish community dynamics. <br /> <br />Methods: <br /> <br />During fiscal 1997, secondary channel monitoring will continue as in previous years with spring, <br />summer, and autumn inventories conducted from Hogback Diversion to Mexican Hat. Secondary <br />channel sampling protocols will be the same as in previous years. In addition to sampling <br />secondary channel fish communities, the near-shore fish community of the primary channel will be <br />sampled at each sampled secondary channel during each inventory. Because channels ate not <br />evenly distributed within the study area, at least one primary channel sample will be made at each <br />River Mile (RM). During the spring inventory, electro fishing is the primary sampling technique in <br />both secondary and primary channel habitats. In addition to data obtained from spring adult <br />monitoring efforts, additional information on the primary channel fish community will be obtained <br />by seining near-shore primary channel habitats. In other seasons (summer and autumn) seining <br />will be the primary sampling method. A mil)imum of 10 seine hauls will be made at each primary <br />channel sample site. All near-shore habitat types (excluding backwaters and secondary channel <br />mouths) in the vicinity ofthe site will be sampled. Total surface area of each seine haul will be <br />determined. Data obtained during 1997 will be used to assess the relative similarity of secondary <br />and primary channel fish communities. <br /> <br />Data obtained in the "side-by-side" study of near-shore primary channel fish community and that <br />of secondary channels win be compiled and synthesized. Data obtained in this study of near-shore <br />primary channel fish communities and that of secondary channel communities will be compiled <br />and synthesized. <br /> <br />Specific study objectives of the seasonal secondary channel inventories are: <br /> <br />1. Characterize fish fauna of secondary channels <br />a) seasonally <br />b) longitudinally (including defined geomorphic reaches) <br />c) in relation to annual, seasonal, and specific event flows <br />d) relative to secondary channel dimensions <br />e) relative _to primary channel fish community <br />f) relative to in situ fish community <br />g) identify potential "conflict" species (those species who might compete with or prey <br />upon native fishes, including Colorado squawfish, razorback sucker, and roundtail <br />chub) <br />h) identify potential management actions to mitigate impact of problem nonnative <br />species. <br /> <br />21 <br />