BOARD00154 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

recommend that the CWCB appropriate Ithe following flow amounts to preserve the natural environment of Bear Creek to a Feasonable degree: I . From April 15 to August 15l the R2CROSS analysis indicates and the water availability analysis supports' an instream flow appropriation of 1.8 cfs to maintain the three principal driteria of average depth, average velocity and percent wetted perimeter; I . Based on the R2CROSS and!water availability analyses instream flows from August 16 to October 31 should be set at 1.3 cfs. This flow comes close to ensuring the three principal driteria while reflecting the decline in water availability in late summer. I I . , . R2CROSS analysis at indicated that 0.75 cfs from November 1 to April 14 is , sufficient to maintain two of: the three principal criteria. At both sites the two criteria were average velocitY and average depth. i Water Availability. Colorado Springs ,Utilities (CSU) has maintained a gage on Bear Creek since 1949 (IPN# 1291) by the Bear Creek Pipeline diversion. TU used this gage to estimate daily discharges through Bear Creek. With the exception of some isolated missing dates, daily discharge data were available for complete water years (10/1 - 9/30) spanning 1950 - 1965 and 1990 - 2006, An analysis of these data showed that estimated , average daily flows above the Bear Creek Diversion exceeded the recommended instream flows. While the monthly 50% exceedepces were greater than the recommended flows throughout the winter, the 50% exceedence was slightly lower than the recommend flow in September and October. Therefore, Trout Unlimited and CDOW suggest that the summer instream flow recommendation be decreased from 1.83 cfs to 1.61 cfs during these months. . Neither TV nor CDOW is aware of an~ existing water rights on the proposed reach. Because CSU's Bear Creek Pipeline is ,below the proposed reach and because the instream flow appropriation will be junior to these water rights, no material injury to I CSU or any other part is anticipated. Relationship to Existing State Policy.: Trout Unlimited and the CDOW are forwarding this in stream flow recommendation to the CWCB to meet the State of Colorado's policy , "that the wildlife and their environment are to be protected, preserved, enhanced, and managed for the use, benefit, and enjo~ent 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. 33-1-1011(1). Further, the CDOW Strategic Plan states "Healthy aquatic environments are ess~ntial to maintain healthy and viable fisheries, and critical for self-sustaining populations.IThe Division desires to protect and enhance the quality and quantity of aquatic habitats,." TU and CDOW recommend that Bear Creek be considered for inclusion in the Instream Flow Program because doing so would help meet these stated policies. Specifically, esta~lishing minimum flows through this reach would , .