Population dynamics of humpback chub, rainbow trout and brown trout in the Colorado River in its Grand Canyon Reach: modelling code and input data

These data were compiled to fit an integrated population model of brown trout in the Glen Canyon Reach of the Colorado River and test different hypotheses regarding the driver of brown trout population dynamics. Also, data were compiled as inputs for a model to simulate population dynamics and species interactions among brown trout, rainbow trout and humpback chub in the Colorado River between Glen Canyon Dam and the confluence of the Colorado River and the Little Colorado River. The purpose of compiling these data is to gain a better understanding of the potential causes of recent increases in brown trout, test various hypotheses and derive parameters for simulation models. Data were collected incindentally as part of two studies primarily focused on the rainbow trout in the same reaches. Parameter estimates and temperature and flow predictions were collated as inputs for a model to inform stakeholders of the Glen Canyon adaptive management program of the potential outcomes from various management actions.

These data are associated with the USGS Open-File Report: Runge, M.C., Yackulic, C.B., Bair, L.S., Kennedy, T.A., Valdez, R.A., Ellsworth, C., Kershner J.L., Rogers, R.S., Trammell, M.A., and Young, K.L., 2018, Brown trout in the Lees Ferry reach of the Colorado River--Evaluation of causal hypotheses and potential interventions: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2018-1069, 83 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20181069.