WSP10952

• File Number: 8240.200.30.B
• Description: UCRBRIP Instream Flows
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 1/1/1990
• Author: UCRBRIP
• Title: Protection of Instream Flows for Endangered Colorado River Fishes in Colorado
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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in consultation with the states and other appropriate
parties. The reaches were prioritized by consideration
of the reaches' biological significance and the timing
of water development or other activities. The FWS
developed a work plan for identifying the habitat
needs, and once identified, the FWS is to present the
needed flows to the Implementation Committee for its
use in implementing the recommendations. (NOTE: Flow
needs are not submitted for approval.)

b. For flow needs in Colorado, the Implementation
Committee is to request recommendations from the
Colorado Water Conservation Board on alternative means
of providing and protecting the desired instream flows.
The Board is to present an array of alternatives along
with estimates of costs, methods of implementation,
time frames, and procedural requirements. The
Implementation Committee is then to review the
alternatives and prepare recommendations that it will
request the FWS to implement,

c. Quantification of flow needs is difficult due to
the scarcity of data and the logistical problems
associated with working on large, turbid and
inaccessible rivers. Determinations have been
partially based on professional judgment, which has not
been readily accepted by all participants in the
Program. Additionally, Colorado law states that the
quantity of an instream flow right is to be that
"required for minimum stream flows * * * to preserve
the natural environment to a reasonable degree." Such
standard results in a higher scrutiny of the quantity
of water requested as well as a higher burden of proof
than is needed for other Colorado water rights.

d. One of the major methods of obtaining sufficient
water discussed in section 4.1.6 was refined operation
of existing federal reservoirs. The plan envisions
releases for endangered fishes from Ruedi Reservoir on
the Fryingpan River, from Blue Mesa Reservoir on the
Gunnison River in Colorado and from Flaming Gorge
Reservoir on the Green River in Wyoming. These
projects may have "significantly and adversely
affected" the endangered fishes and are important
sources of water for habitat maintenance and
improvement. The refined operations will result from
section 7 consultation on the operation of these
projects.

e. Other potential water sources are original
appropriations for instream flows, conversion of
conditional or absolute water rights to instream flows,

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