WSP09106 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Executive Summary DElS - Navajo Reservoir Operations S-3 - .... t'urpose ana I\leea The purpose of modifying the operations of Navajo Dam and Reservoir is to provide sufficient releases of water at times, quantities, and durations necessary to conserve the two endangered fish species and their designated critical habitat as recommended in the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program (SJRBRlP)' Flow Recommendations for the San Juan River (Flow Recommendations)', and subject to concurrence by the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) through formal ESA consultation. Reclamation would maintain the authorized purposes of the Navajo Unit (Navajo Dam and Reservoir), which include enabling future water development to proceed in the Basin in compliance with applicable laws, compacts, decrees, and Indian trust responsibilities. The need for a plan to modify operations has resulted from previous ESA consultations with the Service on other Basin projects that affect flows in the San Juan River. Reclamation is required to comply with the ESA for operation of the facilities of the Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP), which include Navajo Dam. The operation of Navajo Dam is a key element of the SJRBRlP. The Navajo Unit After completion of the Navajo Unit in 1962, criteria governing releases of water from the dam focused primarily on meeting irrigation needs, providing flood control, maintaining stable river flows, and providing a recreation pool in Navajo Reservoir. However, native' fish populations and their habitat have been adversely affected or modified in part by the construction and subsequent operation of Navajo Dam. Also, Lake Powell's inundation of approximately 30 miles of the lower San Juan River has had significant impact on native fish habitat, as well. Some of the other factors adversely affecting these native fish include the introduction of non-native" fish, the past removal of native fish to create a more desirable recreation fishery, contribution of diversion structures, and instream channel modifications. Operating the dam under its historic operating criteria would continue the adverse flow ) The 5JRBRIP is a major cooperative effort among entities interested in the goals of endangered fish recovery and in proceeding with water development in the Basin. In addition to Reclamation, participants include the Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs; Bureau of Land Management; Southern Ute Indian and Ute Mountain Ute Tribes; Navajo and Jicarilla Apache Nations; water management interests; and the States of Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico. The 5JRBRlP consists of three committees dealing with coordination, biology, and hydrology. 'Holden. P.B.. Fish and Wildlife Service. Albuquerque, New Mexico, 1999. 5 Fish that are indigenous to the Colorado River Basin, of which the San Juan River Basin is a component. 6 Fish that evolved in basins outside of the Colorado River Basin but were purposely or acddentally introduced to this Basin. 00573