WSP08787

• File Number: 8240.300.11
• Description: San Juan River Recovery Program - Coordination Committee
• State: CO
• Basin: San Juan/Dolores
• Water Division: 7
• Date: 6/1/2001
• Title: Low Flow Test San Juan Test Final Environment Assessment
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: EIS

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42. Comment:

Response:

43. Comment:

Response:

44. Comment:

Response:

45. Comment:

Response:

standpoint, large losses of trout would likely result in reduced numbers of
fish caught. Reclamation has committed to collecting numerous large
trout from this portion of the river prior to the test and to retumfish
immediately after the test is finalized. This effort would be coordinated
with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Also, Reclamation
would contribute monies not to exceed $25,000 for the acquisition of
fingerling trout (2-4 inches) to stock downstream of Citizen's Ditch. Also,
Reclamation will work with water diversion companies to encourage them
to minimize flow depletions to the San Juan River without jeopardizing
their legal water rights. Last, several water quality parameters would be
monitored during the test to anticipate and avoid (stopping the test)
significant losses to the existing trout fishery.

Reclamation needs to consider mitigation for all fish losses below Nav~o
Dam to restore the trout population as soon as possible to minimize
recreational and economic impacts.
See response to Comment No. 41 describing Reclamation's proposed
fishery plan.

It is unclear if this test is also to evaluate the potential impact to the blue
ribbon trout fishery below Navajo Dam and irrigation users.
The test would indeed include monitoring the trout fishery downstream
from Navajo Dam although there currently exists a lot of information
pertaining to the Quality Waters section (identified by the New Mexico
Game and Fish Department as the first 4 miles of the fishery downstream
from the dam) collected in 1996-97 and through the winter of2000-2001.
Also, a trout health assessment will be conducted later this summer
(August) to collect information pertaining to the relative health of the
trout fishery during summer conditions. This assessment will be
compared to similar assessments done at other times of the year.

Where are the six locations for temperature modeling and are they habitat
or spatially specific?
The six temperature recorders are located at the dam and atfive other
locations downstream to the Hammond Diversion, a river distance of
about 15 miles. At this time, Reclamation will utilize the temperature data
for impact assessment but will not develop a temperature model.

Minimum flows in the trout section should be 500 cfs and we would prefer
an average of 600-900 cfs.
It is recognized that a 500 cfs "minimum release" would provide better
conditions for the trout fishery than 250 cfs. However, there is no
established minimum set for the river and New Mexico does not have an

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