WSP08612

• File Number: 8240.200.43.A.1
• Description: Grand Valley/Orchard Mesa
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 9/1/1998
• Title: Grand Valley Water Management - Final Environmental Assessment
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: EIS

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CONTENTS

CHAPTER I - INTRODUCTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I
Need for and Purpose of Action . . . . . , , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Conserve Grand Valley Project Water. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Protect Endangered Fish ............,.........,.....,............... 3
Provide a Protected Supply of Water to the IS-Mile Reach ..............'.. 4

Related Activities ......................................................... 6
Interactions of Grand Valley Irrigation Entities .......................... 6
The Orchard Mesa Check Case and Green Mountain Reservoir Operation ..... 9
Other Recovery Program Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Scoping and Issues .....................;................................. II

CHAPTER 2 - AL TERNA TIVES .. .. . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . . .. .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . . .. . .. . . 13
No Action: Deliver Surplus Water without Canal Improvements ................... 13

Canal Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . 13
Delivery of Surplus HUP Water to the Grand Valley Power Plant . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Future if No Action is Taken. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IS
Proposed Action: Deliver Surplus Water with Canal Improvements ................ 16

Canal Improvements .............................................. 16

Checks................................................... 17
Palisade Pipeline ........................................... 18
Highline Lake Pump Station .................................. 18
Automation System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Funding, Construction and Operation and Maintenance Agreements . . . 19
Schedule and Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Green Mountain/Grand Valley Power Plant Surplus Water Deliveries. . . . . . . .21
Future if Proposed Action Taken. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Formulation and Elimination of Alternatives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Grand Valley Water Management - Summary Comparison of Alternatives ...........25

CHAPTER 3 - AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT/ ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES. . .27

General ................................................................ 27

Water Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Reduce Canal Spills while Protecting Grand Valley Water Users ...........27
Help Meet FWS Flow Recommendations for the IS-Mile Reach . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Protect Deliveries of Surplus Water to the Grand Valley Power Plant . . . . . . . . 33
Protect IS-Mile Reach Flows from Diversion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Impacts to Upstream Colorado River Water Rights ...................... 37
Impacts to Water Rights Along Washes ...............................38
Water Quality/Compliance with the Clean Water Act. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Fish and Wildlife Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Selenium Contamination ........................................... 41

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