WSP04975

• File Number: 8240.200.10.B
• Description: UCRBRIP Annual Report
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 4/9/2003
• Author: UCRBRIP
• Title: 2002 Annual Reports Package Part 3
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

)

COLORADO RlVER RECOVERY PROGRAM
FY 2002 ANNUAL PROJECT REPORT

RECOVERY PROGRAM
PROJECT NUMBER: 22f

I. Project Title: Assessment of Endangered Fish Reproduction in Relation to Flaming
Gorge Operations in the Middle Green and Lower Yampa Rivers.

II. Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Kevin R. Bestgen
Larval Fish Laboratory (LFL)
Department of Fishery and Wildlife Biology
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523
[phone]/5295; FAX [phone]
E-mail [e-mail]

and

Chris Kitcheyan and G. B. Haines
USFWS
Colorado River Fishery Project
1380 S, 2350 W.
Vernal, Utah 84078
Phone: [phone]; Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail], bruce_haines@.fws.gov

III. Project Summary: The goal ofthe recently approved Flaming Gorge flow and
temperature recommendations (Muth et aI., 2000) was to improve the status and prospects
for recovery of endangered fish populations in the Green River. A major emphasis of
those recommendations was to enhance the reproductive and recruitment success of
endangered fishes in the middle Green River, in particular razorback sucker and Colorado
pikeminnow. The primary means to achieve enhanced populations will be to pattern
flows after a more natural hydrograph, the timing and duration of which will be based on
anticipated annual hydrologic conditions and the biology of the fish. Because of vagaries
in timing and runoff patterns within and among various hydrologic scenarios, and
uncertainties in anticipated effects of flow and temperature recommendations on
endangered fishes, Muth et aI. (2000) suggested that real-time data be gathered to guide
and fine tune operation of Flaming Gorge dam each year. Two existing studies that have
provided data to guide operations of Flaming Gorge Dam in the past are "Basin-wide
Monitoring Program for Razorback Sucker" (Project 22C) and "Interagency Standardized
Monitoring Program (ISMP) Assessment of Colorado Pikeminnow Reproduction and
Larval Abundance in the Lower Yampa River, Colorado" (project 22f). This study is an
extension of portions of those previous studies and is intended to provide some of the
necessary real-time data.
Larvae of razorback sucker Xyrauchen lexGnus and Colorado pikeminnow
Ptychocheilus /ucius (formerly, Colorado squaw fish) were sampled in the Green River
basin in spring and summer 2002. Razorback sucker sampling was conducted with light
traps primarily in the Green River between Jensen and Ouray and Colorado pikeminnow
sampling was with drift nets in the lower Yampa River. Sampling was designed to

FY 2002 Annual Report 22fPage - I