BOARD00088 ‎(2)‎

• Board Meeting Date: 11/14/2006
• Description: WSP Section and ISF Section - Arkansas River ISF Appropriation
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Hearings

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The DOW has reviewed the data coJlected to date and believes a 100 cfs year-round instream flow would
preserve the natural environment to a reasonable degree, as long as the stream environment continues to
benefit, to some extent, from the higher summertime flows provided by downstream senior water rights.
The higher summer flows provide added protection from potentially hannful summer water temperatures and
will maintain existing channel morphology. Water temperature is one of the most important factors in
flowing water, affecting all forms ofaquatic life. Temperature influences fish migration, spawning, timing
and success of incubation, maturation and growth (Fry 1947; Armour 1991). Stream temperatures can be
directly affected by any alteration of flow or change in channel morphology. DOW recommends that the
CWCB appropriate the 100 cfs proposed instream flow. This recommendation is supported by CWCB stafT,
the City of Pueblo and others.

The DOW is forwarding this stream flow recommendation to the CWCB to meet the DOW's statutory
mission"... that the wildlife and their environment are to be protected, preserved, enhanced, and managed
for the use, benefit, and enjoyment of the people of this state and its visitors ... and that, to carry out such
program and policy, there shall be a continuous operation of planning, acquisition; and development of
. wildlife habitats and facilities for wildlife-related opportunities" C.R.S. ~33-1-101 (1). The now's
Strategic Plan, adopted January 11, 2002, states "Healthy aquatic environments are essential to maintain
healthy and viable fisheries, and critical for self-sustaining populations. The Division desires to protect and
enhance the quality and quantity of aquatic habitats."

Please find attached, copies of. the field data sheets, the R2CROSS modeling runs, fishery survey
information and stream photographs. If you have any questions regarding the attached information or the
instream flow recommendations, please feel free to contact me at (303)-291-7267.

Si~

Mark Uppendahl
Colorado Division of Wildlife
Instream Flow Program Coordinator

Cc: Jay SkiMer, CDOW Water Unit Program Manager - wlo attachments
Doug Krieger, CDOW Senior Fish Biologist - West Regions - w/o attachments
Jim Melby, CDOW Aquatic Biologist - wlo attaclunents
John Tonko, CDOW Southeast Regional Water Rights Specialist - wlo attaclunents
Dan Prenzlow, CDOW Regional Manager - w/o attachments
AI Trujillo, CDOW A WM Area 11 - w/o attachments