WSP07867

• File Number: 8240.300.31.J
• Description: San Juan River - Environmental Studies
• Basin: San Juan/Dolores
• Water Division: 7
• Date: 2/1/2000
• Title: Ichthyofaunal Surveys of Tributaries of the San Juan River - NM
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Plata, Los Pinos, Mancos. Navajo, and Piedra rivers and Mc Elmo Creek. Also included
were several smaller creeks or streams that are tributaries of the larger rivers, The
smaller streams that were sampled consisted of Cherry Creek, Long Hollow Creek, Rock
Creek, Stollsteimer Creek, and Navajo Wash (Figure 1).

METHODS

The data presented in this report are the result of two main sources of information. These
sources consist of: 1) a literature review of historical fish surveys and, 2) data collected
by Miller Ecological Consultants (MEC) as part of a native fish habitat study (Miller et
al. 1995). The literature review includes historical reports of fish surveys in the
previously mentioned tributaries of the San Juan River. All fish species reported within
the study area were assigned a species code (Table 2).

Tables are provided that summarize relative abundance of each species during each
decade by tributary, During each decade that a species was collected a letter
corresponding to the relative abundance was provided. The letter" A" indicates that the
species was numerically dominant or abundant in samples. The letter "c" indicates that
the species was common but not numerically dominant. The letter "R" indicates that the
species was rarely collected in that river during that decade. The letter "P" was used
when a species was reported in collections but numerical data were not provided.

Historical data and data collected by MEC are provided in Appendix A. All data was
organized by location and time period. Appendix A contains a table with fish capture
information, and a corresponding table that provides specific locations of sampling sites.
In some cases data was not available or provided for certain sampling events. In
instances where a precise date was not provided only the year was listed. When sampling
events occurred but no fish were collected, the words "no fish" were placed in the column
ofthe first fish species. Data that was considered questionable due to lack of information
(site location, date, etc.) or was reported by inexperienced personnel was not presented in
the results of this study.

Some ofthe larger tributaries below Navajo Reservoir have site locations that range over
considerable distances. In these instances there was a noticeable change in species
composition that probably resulted from change in elevation and gradient. These streams
were divided into reaches based on changes in general physical characteristics. The data
that is presented in Appendix A was sorted by reach and date.

Draft Final Tributary Report
Miller Ecological CODsultanlll, lnc.

January 31, 2000
Page 3

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