WSP11306

• File Number: 8027
• Description: Section D General Correspondence - Federal Agencies - BOR - Lower Missouri Region - Denver
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 4/14/1978
• Author: DOI-BOR
• Title: Annual Operating Plan - Western Division - Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program - 1977-1978
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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whichever is the lesser, from Willow Creek Reservoir is required during
the October-through-April period to augment fishery flows in the
Colorado River.

A minimum release of 25 ft3/s from October through May, and 50 ft3/s
from June through September or inflow, whichever is the lesser, is
made from Shadow Mountain Lake to maintain fish and wildlife in the
Colorado River above Lake Granby.

The minimum required release from Green Mountain Reservoir is con-
trolled by downstream prior water rights. Inflow to Green Mountain
Reservoir is released as required to meet these downstream rights.
Releases at all times are adequate for fish preservation.

Minimum releases for fish from Lake Estes of 35 ft3/s from November 1
through April 15, 50 ft3/s from A1ril 16 through April 30, 100 ft3/s
from May 1 through May 15, 125 ft /s from May 16 through August 15,
100 ft3/s from August 16 through August 31, 75 ft3/s from September 1
through September 15, and 50 ft3/s from September 16 through October 31,
were recommended by the State of Colorado's Division of Wildlife and
the Fish and Wildlife Service.

Diversion of flows from the Big Thompson River at Lake Estes for
power production is generally restricted to the May 15 through
September 15 period since runoff during the remaining period usually
is much less than the recommended minimum flows. Releases in excess
of inflows are not required.

There are no mln~mum releases required from Seminoe, Pathfinder, Alcova,
Glendo, or Guernsey Reservoirs on the North Platte River. Releases
from these reservoirs are determined by power requirements consistent
with required transfer of irrigation water. At the end of the
irrigation season, releases from Glendo Reservoir below 1,500 ft3/s
are made gradually to avoid stranding fish inside channels and pools.
These releases are in agreement with a Memorandum of Understanding
between the Bureau of Reclamation and the Wyoming State Game and Fish
Commission.

During 1968, the Secretary of the Interior authorized that the Kortes
Unit be operated to maintain a minimum streamflow of 500 ft3/s below
Kortes Dam to provide for conservation of fishery resources.

A minimum release from Gray Reef Reservoir of 310 ft3/s has been
adopted for fishery purposes. Normally, the release will not be less
than 500 ft3/s. However, under a combination of unusual circumstances,
release may be less than 330 ft3/s if upstream storage reserves are
depleted or if such releases would result in a waste of irrigation water.

38

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