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<br />depending primarily on the temperature of the water in the spR~\ln~ nreas. <br />Peak spawning normally occurs bet",een Aprll 15 and Hay 15. Some <br />late spawning has been observed, even during June and July. <br /> <br />The current plan of operation for Lake Po",ell and Lake Mead for the <br />next 12 months as shown in Appendix A reflects actions that are con- <br />templated in order to enhance and sustain the Lake Mead bass RPllwn at <br />the deaired level for the current year. The effects of modifying the <br />Lake Mohave operating plan to aid the Lake Mead bliSS spawn are limited <br />to short-term aasistance, because it requires 5 feet of change in <br />elevation on Lake Mohave to change Lake Mead's elevation by 1 foot. <br /> <br />Past experience has indicated that Lake Mead may fluctuate ",ithin <br />1 to 2 feet during the bass spawning season without serious deleterious <br />effect to the fishery. In fact, a slight rise in reservoir elevation <br />is beneficial becnuse the lake could inundate new growth of terrestrial <br />vegetation and thereby provide a food source and cover for fingerling <br />hnss. A lo",ering of lake levels, in excess of 2 feet, would probnbly <br />be detrimental during the peak spawning aenson. 110"1 aeriously the baOle <br />are affected depends on the magnitude of lake level decreases an well <br />l\8 wind ac t ion, bnnk slooghinR. tempern lure varia tions, /lnd pradn t ion. <br /> <br />IJot only is a Buccessful peak spa~>ing Reason critical to the <br />lI\llintenance and enhancement of the fishery, but it is also necessnry to <br />maintain a stable or slightly rising water surface elevation aften_.uds <br />to permit the fingerling bas a to retain some cover from predator" nnd <br />s food source. As fingerling bass become larger, the need for level <br />maintenance decreases. <br /> <br />Data required to define in precise quantitative terms the tolerable <br />magnitude of fluctuation, the tolerance of fluctuation ",ith respect to <br />time durinR the spawning, development, and growth of the fingerlings, <br />and the frequency of providing a controlled lake level in order to innure <br />a quality fishery are incomplete. Studies are in progress that are <br />designed to yield such data. Plans for future studies are nm< beinp, <br />prepared to utilize existing data with information that ",ill be <br />gathered in more refined investigations no", being planned. The objectives <br />of all the studies are expected to result in a better balance in <br />optimizing the concept of multiple use management. Current projectIons <br />for the next 12 months sholJO in Appendix A are based on the general <br />criteria of maintaining the surface of Lake MMd at the same elevatIon <br />on Aprll I, May 1. June 1, and July modified by the special criteria for <br />the current year given in Appendix C. <br /> <br />22 <br />