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," . 4 the current and praposed operation of Flaming Gorge Dam is not likely to affect the continued existence of the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, or Ute 1adies'-tresses orchid. DESCRIPTION OF FLAMING GORGE OPERATION BACKGROUND Flaming Gorge Dam, located on the Green River in northeastern Utah~ lies approximately 410 river miles upstream from the confluence .of the Colorado and Green Rivers. The reservoir extends north inta Wyoming with its upper terminus near the town of Green River, Wyoming. At capacity, the reservoir has 42,000 surface acres, is 91 miles long, and has a live storage capacity of 3.75 million acre-feet. Flaming Gorge Darn was authorized by the Colorado River Storage Project Act of 1956, 43 U.S.C. 6Z0. The operation of the Ca10rada River Basin projects, which includes Flaming Gorge, was further described in the Colorado River Basin Project Act of 1968, 43 U.S.C 150Z, which states: "This program is declared to be for the purpase, among others, of regulating the flow of the Calorado River; cantrolling floads; improving navigation; providing for the storage and delivery of the waters of the Colorado River for reclamation of lands, including supplemental water supplies, and for municipal, industrial, and other beneficial purposes; improving water quality; providing for basic public outdaar recreatian facilities; improving conditions for fish and wildlife, and the generation and sale of electrical power as an incident .of the foregaing purposes." Construction of the dam and powerplant began in 1956 and was completed in 1964. Filling of the reservoir began in November 196Z and continued through 1966. Full operation of the facility began in 1967. Reservoir releases through the powerplant range from 800 to 4,700 cubic feet per second (cfs). Maximum powerplant releases are constrained by generator output and reservoir elevation; while minimum releases are constrained by an agreement with the Utah Divisian of Wildlife Resources which provides for a minimum flow of 800 cfs to maintain the tailwater trout fishery. Additianally, the dam has the capacity to release up to 4,000 cfs through two river .outlets (jet tubes) and an additional Z8,800 cfs through the spillway. OPERATION Existing and proposed future operational criteria for Flaming Gorge Dam and reservoir provide for a full reservoir while maximizing power revenue and avaiding the use of the jet tubes and/or spillway. Depending an snowpack and monthly forecasting, an appropriate winter drawdown to avaid spills results in minimum reservoir storage of approximately 800,000 acre-feet at 6,OZO feet in elevation which usually occurs in March. Attempts are made to refill the reservoir during spring runoff, and maximum levels usually .occur in July. Releases during the remainder .of the year are patterned to meet energy demands. Peak electrical power demand occurs during summer (July through