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<br />A prototype fish passage facility is being constructed at the <br />Redlands diversion to learn more about squawfish behavior and <br />use of the structure, Construction will be completed within two <br />years at which time the USFWS will begin monitoring the results. <br /> <br />There may not be sufficient resident squawfish to properly test <br />the 'passage facility. Testing may have to use stocked fish, <br />along with some uncertainty about their behavior and habitat <br />use. There may also be a need to study more life stages of the <br />fish than are present at Redlands. <br /> <br />2. Water impacts - The flow of water through fish passage <br />facil ities could reduce available water for power generation. <br /> <br />Conservation storage may be affected to a small degree. Water <br />rights to operate the passage facility would need to be acquired. <br /> <br />3. Where - Fish passage retrofits may be feasible on some existing <br />structures in the basin. <br /> <br />If the structure at Redlands proves effective, prototypes could <br />be built on small dams on the Colorado mainstem to further test <br />design applications. Taylor Draw on the White River now <br />fragments a squawfish population and its habitat and should be <br />retrofit with funds from USFWS. <br /> <br />4. Who - Open <br /> <br />5. When - Initial research from Redlandswill lead to some further <br />knowledge on passage facilities. Additional prototypes should <br />be developed to gather additional data on design and <br />applications. <br /> <br />G. Acquisition of Rights to Maintain Instream Flows <br /> <br />1. Effectiveness - It has been extremely difficult to quantify <br />direct relationships between flow, habitat and endangered fish <br />populations. We can identify important habitats for species <br />with accuracy and can judge the effects of flows on these <br />habitats. But we cannot yet with certainly translate changes in <br />flows to predicted effects to the fish. <br /> <br />A major portion of the Colorado River research effort has been <br />devoted to developing a flow/habitat model. The model remains <br />imprecise, particularly in ather than average years. The model <br />is working towards developing flow thresholds for various life <br />stages and habitat requirements., A critical assessment of the <br />model has recently been prepared by the Biological Subcommittee. <br /> <br />- 10 - <br />