WSP10633

• File Number: 8240.200.30.E
• Description: Guru I And II
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 1/1/1993
• Author: Jack Stafford
• Title: Instream Flows to Assist the Recovery of Endangered Fishes of the Upper Colorado River Basin: Review and Synthesis of Ecological Information, Issues, Methods and Rationale
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

IV. Derivation of Flows Currently Recommended to Protect the Endangered Fishes: Review

and Synthesis.............................................. ................ ................................................. .........45
Review of Instream Flow Methodology............................................................................45

Flow Threshold Models........................................................................................45
Statistical Approaches................ ............... ......... .............................. ............ ...... ...46
Incremental Flow Modeling ............................................. .....................................48
Are There Other Options?.....................................................................................50
Flow Regimes Recommended to Protect and Enhance Endangered Fishes in the

Upper Colorado River Basin.............................................................................................52
y ampa River..........................................................................................................53
Green River...........................................................................................................53
Colorado River above Confluence with the Green River .......................................54
Table 1. Recommendations for spring flows in the 15-mile reach...............55
Problems with the Flow Recommendations of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife SeIVice...........55

y ampa River..........................................................................................................55
Green River...........................................................................................................56
Figure 17. Daily flows on the Green River at Flaming Gorge Dam and
at Jensen in relation to unregulated flows from the Yampa River during

spring, 1992........... ...... ........ ...................... ...... .................... ...... ........ ...... ....57
Colorado River......................................................................................................59
Differing Methodologies and the Role of "Professional Judgment" .....................62
V. Critical Uncertainties in the Recovery Program with Respect to Provision of River Flows

to Protect Endangered Fishes... .......................... ......... .............. ................. ....... ....... ....... ........63
Critical Uncertainties at the Program (Management) Level of Organization......................63
Critical Uncertainties at the Information (Scientific) Level of Organization ......................64

VI. Recommendations: An Ecosystem Approach........................................................................66
Implement Interim Flows that Re-establish Seasonality ....................................................67
Provide Common Understanding of Water Availability ....................................................69
Improve the Standardized Monitoring Program: Add a Community Ecology
Perspective. ....................................................................................................................... 70 .
Diversify the Research Program to Resolve Critical Uncertainties....................................73
Implement a Peer Review Process.....................................................................................76
Implement Adaptive Management.....................................................................................77

Literature Cited .................... .................... ...... .................................................................... ...........79

Appendix I
Additional Literature Not Cited in the Report....................................................................Al

Appendix 2
Persons Contacted During this Study...............................................................................A2

GI 0009