The models need to be improved and validated before they become a useful tool for biological research which may mean waiting for years until they are ready. In the meantime, limnological data can be collected from reservoirs in the western United States for research purposes. Many of these reservoirs have little data available but are important biological resources. Whether these reservoirs have changed over time and what will happen to the entire ecosystem in the future is impossible to determine without studying physical, chemical, and biological interactions of their aquatic habitat. Few studies deal with primary and secondary productivity, and interactions with reservoir fisheries.
Many questions arise when discussing associations between fisheries and plankton.
Fishery biologists and limnologists need to combine their efforts and investigate plankton and fish relationships which are at opposite ends of the food pyramid. Hydroacoustic work on four different reservoirs in the upper and lower Colorado River is being conducted by Mueller in a different work unit. Fish densities, biomass, and body size is being measured in Powell, Mead, Mohave, and Havasu to develop a more accurate and expansive fishery data base. Limnological work would be done to complement and validate the hydroacoustic work. This information will provide climate modelers a coordinated limnological and fishery database on Colorado River reservoirs, that can be used to better detect and assess climatic impacts.