The Yampa and Green rivers are now receiving an increased water flow from Flaming Gorge Dam. The additional water is meant to enhance both the biological conditions and habitat needs of the endangered razorback sucker fish populations, and match spring runoff levels for the season.

The increase began Saturday evening and the flow reached the maximum power-plant capacity of 4,400 cubic feet per second Monday evening.

The combined high flows of the two rivers send sediment away from spawning bars, which are now active, and carry the larval fish into flooded lowland habitat. The flow-enhanced drift of the larval fish mimics the natural pre-dam conditions that are conducive to the razorback sucker's lifestyle.

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Doug Hendrix, public affairs officer at the Bureau of Reclamation, said water flow and levels will be back down to the normal release of 850 cubic feet per second by May 20.

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