WSPC138

• File Number: 8240.200.44.L
• Description: CO River Threatened-Endangered - RIPRAP - Green Mountain-Grand Valley-Orchard Mesa - Reports-Data-Et
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 8/14/2002
• Author: DOI-BOR
• Title: Reudi Reservoir Agreements to Offset HUP Shortages at Green Mountain Reservoir - Finding of No Significant Impact and Environmental Assessment - 08-14-02
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Alternatives

CHAPTER 2

Chapter 2 presents the two alternative plans analyzed in this EA: the Proposed Action-in which up to
10,000 AF would be released from Ruedi Reservoir this summer for use by HUP beneficiaries-and the
No Action Altemative--in which these releases would not be made. The chapter concludes with a
summary table of the potential impacts of these alternatives.

PROPOSED ACTION

In the Proposed Action, Reclamation would enter into two temporary (less than a year) agreements
involving Ruedi Reservoir to help offset shortages to the HUP from limitations on Green Mountain
Reservoir drawdown.

The frrst agreement between Reclamation and the NCWCD (Northern Colorado Water Conservancy
District) would establish payment to the federal government for costs of contract water releases from
Ruedi.

The second agreement, among Reclamation, the Colorado River Water Conservation District, and the
NCWCD, would be for the release of up to 10,000 AF from Reudi water for use by HOP beneficiaries.
The agreement would specify:

. To the extent possible, releases would be at a steady rate from August 1, 2002, or as soon as releases
could legally and practically begin;

. Releases under this agreement would end on October 15,2002, to minimize effects on brown trout
spawning which generally begins in mid-October. At the end of the release period, flows would be
decreased so as to minimize the stranding of fish in pools due to dropping water levels. The release
rate would be coordinated with the Colorado Division of Wildlife;

. Efforts would be made to limit cumulative flows in the Fryingpan River below Rocky Fork Creek to
300 cfs or less for the duration of the agreement to minimize effects on recreation;

. Efforts would be made to minimize changes in flows in the Fryingpan while releases were being
made.

NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE

In this alternative, releases from Ruedi would not be made this summer to offset water shortages to HOP
beneficiaries from the limitation placed on Green Mountain Reservoir.

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