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<br />I <br />I. <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />J <br />I <br />I <br />, <br />Ie <br />, <br />I <br />I <br />t <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />,. <br />I <br /> <br />1994 RESERVOIR OPERATIONS <br /> <br />Minimum instream flow levels have been established at several locations in the Upper and <br />Lower Basins which are intended to preserve the present aquatic resources downstream of <br />specific dams, . The regulation of the Colorado River has had both positive and negative <br />effects on aquatic resources. Controlled cool water releases from dams have provided for <br />increased productivity of some aquatic resources and the development of significant sport <br />fisheries, However, the same releases have been detrimental to endangered and other native <br />species of fishes, <br /> <br />Consultations with the Fish and Wildlife Service in compliance with Section 7 of the <br />Endangered Species Act (Section 7 consultations) on the operation of the Aspinall Unit on the <br />Gunnison River, Navajo'Dam on the San Juan River, and on Flaming Gorge on the Green <br />River will continue in 1994. Studies associated with these consultations will be used to <br />better understand the flow related needs of endangered and other native species of fish. <br />Additionally, interim flow restrictions on releases from Lake Powell will continue in water <br />year 1994 while the Glen Canyon Dam Environmental Impact Statement (GCDEIS) is being <br />prepared. <br /> <br />Modifications to planned operations may be made based on changes in forecast conditions, <br />However, due to the Recovery Implementation Programs for Endangered Fish Species in the <br />Upper Colorado River Basin, Section 7 consultations, and other downstream concerns, <br />modification to the monthly operation plans may not be based solely on changes in <br />streamflow forecasts, Decisions on spring peak releases and downstream habitat target flows <br />may be made midway through the runoff season, Reclamation and the Fish and Wildlife <br />Service will initiate meetings with interested parties, including representatives of the basin <br />states, to facilitate the decisions necessary to finalize site specific operations plans. All <br />operations will be undertaken subject to the primary water storage and delivery requirements <br />established by "The Law of the River", including Endangered Species Act compliance and <br />other applicable statutes. <br /> <br />The following paragraphs discuss the operation of each of the reservoirs with respect to <br />compact, decree, statutory, water delivery obligations, and instream flow needs for <br />maintaining or improving aquatic resources, where appropriate, <br /> <br />Fontenelle Reservoir <br /> <br />Due to the effects of the previous six years of drought, the April through July runoff into the <br />reservoir during water year 1993 was only 934 MCM (.757 MAF) or 89 percent of the long <br />term average even though the snowpack within the basin at times was 130 percent of <br />average. The Upper Green River was the only subbasin where inflows were near average in <br />water year 1993, With near average inflows Fontenelle easily filled in 1993 and flows of up <br />to 118.9 m3/s (4,200 cfs) were released. <br /> <br />7 <br />