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<br />< <br /> <br />I <br />I <br />. i <br />I <br /> <br />:~~- <br /> <br />roport provided to Rocl~m~tion in 1993 by the CDOW. the fishery researcher concluded th~t the ",..Dolores <br />River and the ~qu~tic biot~ that support the troutlishery downstream (rom McPhee D~m m~y well be in the <br />healthiest condition since reservoir oper~tions bcgan in 1984." (Nehring 1993), <br /> <br />MCPHEE RESERVOIR <br /> <br />McPhee Reservoir provides habitat for numerous fish species. Although the CDOW initially planned to <br />manage the reservoir as a trout fishery, their fishery management plan for the reservoir was changed in the early <br />1980's. Initially, only rainbow trout were stocked in the reservoir. However, two other trout species that existed <br />above the reservoir can also be found ill McPhee Reservoir in low numbers: these are brown trout and cutthroat <br />trout. Subsequelltly, several other species of fish were stOCked in the reservoir including the following: <br /> <br />Largemouth bass (Microoterus salmoides) <br />SmalJmouth bass (Microoterus dolomieui) <br />Bluegill sunfish (Leoomis macrochirus) <br />Black crappie (Pomoxis nel!I"omaculalUs) <br />Channel catfish ([ctalurus DunctalUs) <br />Kokanee salmon (Oncorhvnchus nerka) <br /> <br />Other fish species present, but not stocked by CDOW or USF&WS that now occur in the reservoir include the <br />following: <br /> <br />Ye\low perch (Perea flavescens) <br />Black bullhead ([ctalurus melas) <br />Green sunfish (Leoomis cvanellus) <br />White sucker (Catostomus commersonil <br />Flannelmouth sucker (Catostomus latioinnis) <br />Bluehead sucker (Catostomus discobolus) , <br /> <br />ReservoirfluclUations are related to spring runoff, releases to the Dolores River, and to irrigation <br />demand met by releases through Great Cut Dike and the Dolores Tunnel. Losses to the reSClvoir fishery are <br />generally associated with spill management and the method in which spills are managed. Use of the dam <br />spillway in 1993. because of faulry gate mechanisms on the outlet works and subsequent repairs, resulted in <br />losses of large numbers of trout and kokanee salmon from the reservoir. Managed spills through the dam's main <br />outlet works have also resulted in some fish being lost downstream. primarily kokanee salmon. <br /> <br />NATIVE FISHERY <br /> <br />Compared to information gathered relative to the tai!water trout fishery over the last several years, very <br />linle information exists pertaining to the downstream native fishery. Since the closure of McPhee Dam, the most <br />comprehensive study done describing Dolores River native fish communities occurred in 1991 and 1992 (Valdez, <br />1992). During the course of this study, six native fish species were collected from the Dolores River from <br />McPhee Dam downstream to the Colorado River. These were: . <br /> <br />Colorado squawtish (Ptvehocheilus luciusl{federally protected} <br />Roundtail chub (Gila robus[al <br />Speckled dace (Rhinichthvs osculusl <br />Flannelmouth sucker <br />Bluehead sucker <br />Mouled sculpin (CotlUI bairdil, <br /> <br />'rne Colorado squaw fish collccted during this survey were collected within 2 km of the Dolores River <br /> <br />24 <br />