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003080 Page 4 1999 CWCS Ruedi Report because flows have been moderated for several years, recent fluctuations in the flow are much more apparent and can impact routines established by the fishing community. Two concerns have been expressed related to the fluctuations in the flows; access and game species viability. First, both commercial outfitters and private fisherman express difficulty in wading the entire surface area of the Fryingpan once flows exceed 250 cfs, limiting the portion of river that is accessible for fishing and access to the opposite shoreline. This, compounded by the fact that access to about half of the fourteen miles of river are controlled by private lands, can lead to overcrowding along portions of the shoreline and diminish the user's experience. During the 1999 period of release for the endangered fish (Sept. 1 through Nov. 2), there were a total of 21 days, Oct. 13 through Nov. 1, when flows were more than 5 cfs above 250 cfs. The impacts of endangered fish releases on Fryingpan fishing in 1999 are limited, however, in the long-term, interest in fishing the Fryingpan during the later portion of the season by both local and non-local users may decrease. The Roaring Fork and Colorado Rivers also support a substantial commercial fishing industry based on float fishing from rafts and drift boats. There is some limited benefit to these activities from the fish releases in terms of additional volume within the rivers, which keep temperatures lower and water at levels sufficient for boating. No effects were expressed or observed related to this activity during this past season, and no cumulative effects are foreseen. No negative impacts to the fisheries ofthe Fryingpan or Roaring Fork Rivers have been observed due to endangered fish releases from Ruedi Reservoir, nor are any future or cumulative effects anticipated. The Colorado Division of Wildlife feels there are even some potential benefits from the releases. For example, releases in August and September help maintain flows along the Roaring Fork, which traditionally drops very low at this time of year and results in large fish die- offs. Hydropower Production Ruedi Water and Power Authority (RWPA) is licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to operate a hydropower facility at Ruedi Dam and Reservoir in coordination with Reclamation. The FERC license recognizes that RWPA's hydropower production objectives are subordinate to the operation of Reclamation's facilities, but allows R WP A to make beneficial use of any flows that result from the operation of Ruedi Dam and Reservoir. RWPA's facility has a maximum capacity of approximately 250 cfs. Releases above this level must bypass the facility. In the absence of releases for the endangered fish, Ruedi releases during the late summer are required to be the lesser of 110 cfs or inflow, which is often below 110 cfs. Consequently, increased flows due to releases for endangered fish up to 250 cfs are an opportunity for increased power production, which, if utilized, benefits R WP A. Releases above 250 cfs in the summer and fall may result in less generation later during the winter. During 1999, endangered fish releases were above the minimum required release of 110 cfs or inflow for all 63 days of the releases. A total of20,057 acft was released above what would have been released if flows had been kept at the minimum. For 53 of the 63 days, releases were above