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. . GVWM Flow Protection Plan December 19, 1994 4:02pm DRAFT Changes In River Administration In the early 1980's, OMID hired its own management and legal advisors, and separated from the GVWUA. Through a series of letters and meetings, OMID announced that it no longer intended to operate the "check" outside the original intent of the agreement with the United States and GVWUAs. The State Engineer and Division Engineer have since agreed with this approach saying that the "check" would not be required unless OMID began generating power or pumping with water which was diverted out of priority at the Grand Valley Project diversion dam. Under the current stri.J river administration, the GVIC junior right for 120 cfs will call for water from Green Mountain Reservoir while the OMID tailrace is allowed to drain freely into the Colorado River below the GVIC diversion. This change in administration has had an impact on Green Mountain Reservoir and the protection it can provide to West Slope water users. Based upon the historically "reqUired~.~'.cJl:%f" opeations, about 66,000 acre-feet were released from Green Mountain Reservoir for Wc3f lejleute~ the 1977~tl~ThiS figure is often quoted as the maximum water supply protection needed by , ~"bsers from GMR. However, 66,000 acre-feet may not be adequate today without a guarantee that the "check" will be operated in the historic rather than current pattern. Even with operation of the check 66,000 at may not be adequate due to several changes in river administration, river accounting, and water rights perfected between 1977 and 1984. Impacts on the IS-Mile Reach of the New Operation The relatively large and senior irrigation and power diversions in the Grand Valley help bring water to the Reach as well as take water from the Reach. These senior rights are capable of prohibiting upstream junior appropriators from diverting water and are also capable of requesting releases from GMR. The significance of GMR to the Grand Valley water supply should not be understated. Without these releases, upstream water supply to' junior appropriators would be restricted and OMID would more frequently be required to implement the check in order to generate power. For example, in the first 18 days of September 1991, GMR released over S The operation of the check constitutes an exchange, where water is taken out of priority at the GVP Diversion Dam and then returned or replaced by the operation of the "check." An application was made (9ICW247) to Confmn and Approve Appropriative Rights of Exchange and has generated opposition. As of December 7, 1994, settlement discussions are proceeding. 9