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<br />Ll <br /> <br />Leota Unit L-7 is part of the larger Leota Bottom on the Green River <br />at RM 258. Leota Bottom is approximately 3 miles long and 1 mile <br />wide; L-7 is approximately 3/4 mile by 1/2 mile. This site, as with <br />all sites on the Ouray National Wildlife Refuge, is in the middle of <br />endangered fish species' habitat. Razorback suckers and Colorado <br />squawfish are known to use habitats within these areas; larvae of <br />both species drift through the area, and would likely use the sites <br />if access were restored. <br /> <br />Goal <br /> <br />To provide floodplain nursery habitat for rearing young razorback <br />suckers. <br /> <br />Obiectives <br /> <br />1. Reconnect Leota L-7 to the Green River. <br /> <br />2. Capture and stock razorback larvae into Leota L-7. <br /> <br />3. Evaluate operation of structures. <br /> <br />4. Evaluate use of Leota L-7 for rearing larval razorbacks. <br /> <br />IV. Description of past performance on this or similar projects: <br /> <br />Old Charley Wash has been developed to provide rearing for young <br />endangered fishes. The difference between Leota L-7 and Old Charlie <br />is that Leota will not have inlet water or fish control structures, <br />thereby allowing it to function more naturally. Construction and <br />operation of Leota will be a step toward allowing floodplain <br />habitats to behave more naturally. <br /> <br />V. Study Area: <br /> <br />Leota Bottom Unit L-7 (Green River RM 258) <br /> <br />VI. Study Methods/Approach: <br /> <br />Leota L-7 will be dry prior to spring runoff. During runoff, water <br />will be allowed to fill Leota L-7 over a low-head weir. The <br />elevation of the weir will be designed to allow a connection between <br />the river and the site at all flows over a given threshold. Fish of <br />all sizes will have access to Leota L-7 during flows which overtop <br />the weir. The site will have a water control structure at the <br />outlet, so that water can be held during the summer. <br /> <br />During the spawning and larval drift season, larval razorback <br />suckers will be captured from the Green River and stocked into Leota <br />L-7. Larvae will be captured over a variety of dates and locations, <br />to help ensure that they are genetically representative of the adult <br /> <br />2 <br />