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<br />-w- - <br /> <br />Summer Low Flow Impacts <br /> <br /> <br />o <br />o <br /><-:> <br />~ <br />(,:,"'.J <br />o <br /> <br />Water shortages during <br />the Test appeared to be <br />the result of inadequate <br />diversion facilities not <br />water supply. <br />Most water quality <br />parameters didn't <br /> <br />exceed Slate standards. <br />However, long-tenn <br />flows of 250 cfs during <br />the irrigation season <br />could result in <br />exceedance of some <br />State water quality <br />standards between <br />Navajo Dam and the <br />Animas River <br />confluence. <br />Fish habitat was <br />reduced, forcing fish to <br />use the deeper TUns and <br />pools for resting and <br />cover; Ibis could result <br />in future crowding and <br />possible stress of fish <br />over an extended time. <br />Long tenn low flows <br />could cause habitat <br />reduction and water <br />quality changes that <br /> <br />could have an adverse <br />effect on the trout <br />fishery. Wade fishing <br />appeared to increase, <br />and fewer people used <br />dory boats due to <br />exposed rocks, gravel, <br /> <br />and sand bars. <br />Commercial rafting <br />trips in the Bluff area <br />continued even though <br />Navajo releases were <br />low, because the Animas <br />River contributed flows <br />to the San Juan River <br />which helped maintain <br />raftable flows. <br />Low flows at the <br />hydropower plant at <br />Navajo Dam created <br />slight erosion to turbine <br />blades and increased <br />noise associated with <br />operation ofthe plant. It <br />is anticipated that <br />further damage and <br />noise would occur with <br />long-tenn flows less <br />than 350 cfs. <br /> <br />EIS Time Line <br /> <br />October 1999 <br />Notice of Intent <br /> <br />November 1999 <br />Scoping meetings <br /> <br />Nov. 99-Feb. 2002 <br />Data Collection and <br />analysis; Draft EIS <br />preparation <br /> <br />Late Spring 2002 <br />Release draft EIS; 60 <br />day public comment <br />period begins and <br />public hearings <br /> <br />