WSP10531

• File Number: 8220.104.I
• Description: Flaming Gorge
• State: UT
• Basin: Yampa/White/Green
• Date: 2/11/1992
• Author: USDOI-USFWS
• Title: Final Draft Biological Opinion on the Operation of Flaming Gorge Dam - ‎(Part 1 of 2)‎
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Biological Opinion

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2. Conduct a 5-year research program including implementation of winter
and spring research flows beginning in spring 1992 to allow for
potential refinement of flows for these seasons. Except for
specific winter/spring research flows during the five-year research
program, year-round flows in the Green River will resemble the
natural hydrograph described under Element 1 of the Reasonable and
Prudent Alternative.

3. Determine the feasibility of releasing warmer water during the late
spring/summer period and investigation of the feasibility of retro-
fitting river bypass tubes to include power generation thereby
facilitating higher spring releases.

4. legal protection of Green River flows from Flaming Gorge Dam to lake
Powell.

5. Initiate discussions with the Service after the conclusion of the
5-year research program to examine further refinement of the winter
and spring releases.

We believe implementation of the Reasonable and Prudent Alternative will
preclude jeopardy to the endangered fishes from the continued operation of
Flaming Gorge Dam. Furthermore, it is the Services' biological opinion that
the current and proposed operation of Flaming Gorge Dam is not likely to
jeopardize the continued existence of the bald eagle or peregrine falcon.

DESCRIPTION OF FLAMING GORGE OPERATION

BACKGROUND

Flaming Gorge Dam, located on the Green River in northeastern Utah and
southern Wyoming, lies approximately 410 river miles upstream from the
confluence of the Colorado and Green Rivers. The reservoir extends north into
Wyoming with its upper terminus near the town of Green River, Wyoming, At
capacity, the reservoir has 42,000 surface acres, is 91 miles long, and has a
live storage capacity of 3.75 million acre-feet. The Colorado River Basin
Project Act of 196B, 43 U.S.C 1502, states:

"This program is declared to be for the purpose, among others, of
regulating the flow of the Colorado River; controlling floods;
improving navigation; providing for the storage and delivery of
the waters of the Colorado River for reclamation of lands,
including supplemental water supplies, and for municipal,
industrial, and other beneficial purposes; improving water
quality; providing for basic public outdoor recreation facilities;
improving conditions for fish and wildlife, and the generation and
sale of electrical power as an incident of the foregoing
purposes."