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I1vironmental Programs r-,~~-'~'''''-'~'''''-.--'--'.' -~""-'"'""!" , . r "/11~ ,,: ",' , < '~", ';r,' "., _ ..,& ,.;. , ...... moran,.;;-lI8tlng~lnTOpock M."h, ArIzona. )If a.,ln h and wildlife In and near CRSP reservoirs I areas downstream faced new and In many 98 dramatic changes In their normally ~t!vely static envIronment during the 1983 rational year. High spring flows not only reased average water temperatures and .eased the stage and velocity of most lNater discharges, but also Inundated Idreds of acres of streamside terrestrial ,ltat. lacts to these resources have not yet been 'f Quantified. In some cases tlshsrman use success has continued In spite of the jrance to access caused by the hIgh flows. arlan areas and sandy beaches adjacent to Nater reaches were eliminated In several 19 where water velocities removed strate materials. Deposition of much of suspanded materlallollowlng the high er, however, caused new beaches to be ned and Invading riparian growth I. ady being reestablished. Although not Jstomed to such dynamic changes In theIr Itats below regulated reservoIrs, It ears that the fish and wildlife resources Bted there have remained resilient despite pressures place on their environment. lagement of the tsllwater fisheries and ISllgallons tunded by Reclamation Is Ising on balancing the needs for cold water t species In tha Immediate tall water :hes and on the downstream needs of mer water endangered specIes. ~ -,., 1 ,I , ., " J .\ Consultation with the Fish and Wildlife Service regarding thelmpacta of the CRSP reservoirs on the endangered Colorado River fishes Is stili ongoing. Studies daslgned to provide biological answers and operational options are being Initiated and will help fulfill Reclamation responsibilities and requirements mandated by the Endangered Species Act. In addItion to the native species, a recently Initialed Investigation of selected sport species and their specific habitat requirements will be completed within 2 years. This Information will also assist Reclamation In determining flow requirements and habitat preterences of economically and recreatlonally Important trout species. Information gained from both aquatic studies will be Incorporated Into the overall operation of the reservoirs to Insure continued protection of important environmental values while maintaining other numerous project purposes. In June 1983, Reclamation Initiated the Glen Canyon Environmental Studle.s In cooperation with the National Park ServIce and other . Federal and non-Federal agencies. These studies were developed to coincide with the generator upratlng program at Glen Canyon Oem. The target date tor complatlon of the environmental studies Is October 1986. Initially the studies were developed to address thelmpacls of the Increased flexibility on release potential arising tram the powerplant uprate. However, as a result of the hIgh flows of 1983, and subsequent reevaluation of the studies, the potential for studying a wldar range of operational and biological relationships now exists. The environmental studies will now additionally focus on evaluatIng the Impact of current operatIons. Information gathered relating to the operation of Glen Canyon Dam will be useful to several State and Federal cooperating agencies In helping manage natural and recreation resources from the dam downstream to Lake Mead. The study program_consists of four main components: Sediment, BIological, Recreation, and Operations. Reclamation Is prOViding the funding and program management while the National Park Service Is providing coordination and logIstical support. lower Belin Reclamation biologists are presently studying how animal drownlngs can be avoided along proposed and existing canals and those under construction. Artificial oases and water catchments are being placed In different locations to S&8 If the mammals will drink from them rather than the canals, thereby lessening mammal mortality In the canals. 27