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

changes of points of diversion, protection of releases
from existing or new reservoirs, and the use of
nontributary ground water.

II. Progress Toward Protecting Instream Flows.

A. The determination of priority reaches. The priority
reach document was issued by the FWS on March 1, 1988, and
was accepted by the Implementation Committee. This document
was developed with extensive participation from all parties
and it identified where the Program should focus its time and
resources to ensure protection of in stream flows.

1. Protecting flows on the first 140 miles flows of the
Yampa River, the Colorado River between river mile 170 and
185 (the IS-mile reach before the confluence of the
Gunnison River), and the first 156 miles of the White
River (to Taylor Draw Darn) were evaluated.

2. The document stated that although it was important to
maintain and protect all occupied reaches, the Green River
below the confluence of the Yampa River, and the Colorado
River below the confluence of the Gunnison were not
evaluated because it was anticipated that these would
benefit from the section 7 consultations on Flaming Gorge
and Blue Mesa Reservoir. These reaches were to be re-
evaluated after those consultations were completed. (The
consultation on Flaming Gorge should be completed by the
fall of 1990 and then the FWS and the BOR will commence
consultation on Blue Mesa Reservoir.)

3, The report also did not consider costs or legal and
political constraints. It only considered the biology of
the area and the timing of water development activities in
determining its priorities.

4. The Yampa River was established as the first priority
for water rights acquisition. The first 140 miles
contains important habitat for all four of the fish
species covered by the Program. The second priority is
the IS-mile reach on the Colorado River and the White
River to river mile 156.

B. Determining Flow Needs for the Yampa River. Habitat
requirements and interim flow recommendations were finalized
in two FWS reports in July 1990 and March 1990 after intense
scrutiny and comments by all parties. The interim flow
recommendations concluded that in order to protect endangered
species habitat, the existing natural flow regime, which is
characterized by high peaks in spring runoff and low stable
flows for. the remainder of the year, should be maintained.
The Colorado Water Conservation Board in responding to a

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