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<br />\ <br />I <br /> <br />been released in the plunge pool of the Lower Gunnison River <br />moved into the Colorado River, both up- and downstream of the <br />Colorado/Gunnison River confluence. During the presumed <br />spawning period in late-July 1997. there was no discernable <br />aggregation of radiotagged fish. During this time, 12 <br />squawfish. radiotagged in both 1996 and 1997. were contacted <br />in the Colorado River from river mile 134 to 170. <br /> <br />Flow Reauirements <br /> <br />1. A 300 cfs, instantaneous flow has been recommended for <br />passage of adult Colorado squawfish and razorback sucker in <br />the 2.3-mile reach. A report entitled 'Minimum Flow <br />Recommendation for Passage of Colorado Squawfish and <br />Razorback Sucker in the 2.3-mile Reach of the Lower Gunnison <br />River: Redlands Diversion Dam to the Colorado River <br />Confluence' was finalized January 1997. <br /> <br />C. Shortcomings <br /> <br />1. Flows equal to or less than 300 cfs did not occur in the 2.3- <br />mile reach of the Lower Gunnison River in 1996. Therefore, <br />additional water depth data for these low flows were not <br />collected. These data are necessary to validate or refine <br />the 300 cfs minimum flow for passing adult Colorado squawfish <br />in this reach. <br /> <br />VII. Recommendations: <br /> <br />A. Continue to collect movement data from land-based tracking <br />stations and from boat tracking on adult Colorado squawfish <br />radiotagged in 1997 during the fall of 1997 and winter and spring <br />of 199B. <br /> <br />B. Commence operation of the fishway in late-March or early-April <br />1998 and continue through October. Continue to monitor the <br />species and number of fish collected in the fish trap during <br />199B. Compare results with 1996 and 1997. <br /> <br />C. Discontinue attempts to validate the 300 cfs minimum flow for <br />passage in the 2.3-mile reach. Moderate to high flows are <br />predicted for the 1998 water year in the Upper Colorado River <br />Basin. If flows in the Gunnison River are similar to that of the <br />past two years, then low flows will probably not occur and thus <br />it appears that there will be little. if any, opportunity to <br />collect water depth versus discharge data to validate the 300 cfs <br />minimum flow in the 2.3-mile reach of the Lower Gunnison River. <br /> <br />VIII. Project Status: <br /> <br />A. Land-based tracking stations will continue to collect and log <br />movement data for radiotagged Colorado squawfish using the Lower <br />Gunnison River during the fall of 1997 and winter and spring of <br />199B. <br /> <br />5 <br />