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<br />Cimarron Dred~in~ Environmental Assessment <br /> <br />Threatened and Endanl!ered Species <br /> <br />Informal consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (200 I) identified no threatened and <br />endangered species that could be directly affected by the proposed action. However, if flows in <br />the Gunnison River were reduced and Reclamation was unable to maintain delivery of a <br />minimum 300 cfs of water over the RedJands Diversion Dam between July I and October 31. in <br />compliance with Contract No. 95-07-40-RI760 for the benefit of endangered fishes. adverse <br />impacts could result and consultation would need to be reinitiated. Additionally. if flushing <br />flows were needed to remove large volumes of deposited sediments from the Gunnison River. <br />flushing flows could affect the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's razorback sucker stocking <br />program. The proposed action would nor affect Reclamation's contract to deliver a minimum <br />300 cfs over the Redlands Diversion Dam and flushing flows are not being considered at this <br />time. therefore, the proposed action is projected to have no effect on threatened or endangered <br />specles. <br /> <br />Water Oualitv <br /> <br />Water quality is good in the Gunnison River. The Aspinall Unit acts as a sink for suspended <br />solids and provides constant cold water releases. The clarity (total suspended solids and total <br />dissolved solids) and temperature of the Gunnison River creates an excellent trout fishery and <br />provides recreational opportunities for fishing, rafting. and other forms of recreation. <br /> <br />The Gunnison River and the three reservoirs are classified by the Colorado Water Quality <br />Control Commission as Aquatic Life Cold I. Recreation I, Water Supply and Agriculture. and <br />designated as Antidegradation Reviewable waters (previously a High Water Quality 2 <br />designation). The Aquatic Life Cold I classification denotes waters which support a wide variety <br />of cold water biota. Recreation I waters are suitable for primary human contact including <br />swimming, kayaking, rafting. and water-skiing. The Water Supply and Agriculture <br />classifications denote that the waters are suitable for such purposes. The antidegradation <br />reviewable designation recognizes waters which are not outstanding state or national resources. <br />but exhibit high quality. These waters yield to the antidegradation review process. a process <br />which allows degradation of water quality if economic or social benefits override water quality <br />benefits (Long eta!. 1995). <br /> <br />Significant changes in water quality could negatively affect downstream trout fisheries and river <br />rafting. A cloudy (high levels of suspended solids) Gunnison River would reduce angling <br />success. make river running more difficult (cannot see rocks and other obstructions), and <br />generally detract from the scenic views in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and <br />the Gunnison Gorge. <br /> <br />Associated with the proposed action, in April 200 I, Reclamation began monitoring water quality <br />parameters listed below on a monthly basis at 7 sites within the Aspinall Unit (See Figure 3): <br /> <br />14 <br />