WSP10152

• File Number: 8240.200.10.B
• Description: UCRBRIP Program Summaries/Status Reports
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 4/15/1996
• Author: UCRBRIP
• Title: Status Report
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

Yampa River Basin water issues

Recovery efforts in the Yampa River are focused on maintaining and legally protecting
natural flows needed for endangered fish. The U .S, Fish and Wildlife Service recently issued
flow recommendations for the Yampa River. The recommendations update those developed
in 1990 and are based on new hydrology information. The Colorado Water Conservation
Board filed in December for a base-flow and a recovery-flow water right for an in-stream
flow appropriation.

The Colorado River Water Conservation District has held several meetings in Craig, Colo.,
with interested water users and agencies to help develop a Yampa River operation and
management plan, The District also has developed a draft of the plan and is revising the
plan. The environmental planning for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act
for the plan has been initiated,

Action:

Water court adjudication for base-flow right and recovery-flow right for
IS-mile reach.
December 2000, depending on any litigation.

Date:

Questions?

Please call Henry Maddux at [phone], ext. 29.

Gunnison River basin water issues

In the early 1980s the Aspinall Unit, which includes Blue Mesa, Morrow Point and Crystal
dams, received a jeopardy biological opinion under the Endangered Species Act for its
impacts on native fish in the Gunnison River. To correct this situation, in 1992 federal and
state biologists began a five-year research study to evaluate effects of the Aspinall Unit on
endangered fish and their habitat. The Bureau of Reclamation and Western Area Power
Administration are providing "test" flows during this period to benefit endangered fish.

Also, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Reclamation and Colorado Water Conservation
Board recently completed negotiations on protecting Gunnison River flows of 300 cubic feet
per second in the river reach below Redlands Diversion Dam. These flows are also needed
for proper operation of a planned fish ladder that would allow endangered fish to swim
around the dam, Long-term protection of these flows will be addressed after the Service
issues a draft biological opinion on operations of the Aspinall Unit in early 1998.

Date:

Grand Junction, Colo., office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to
complete research and data collection for biological opinion on operation of
the Aspinall Unit, which includes Blue Mesa, Morrow Point and Crystal
dams.
Sept. 30, 1996,

Action:

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