NonBasicSpecificComments03

• Title: Comments 3
• Date: 10/21/2003
• SWSI - Doc Type: Comments

Mr. Rick Brown and River Basin ROW1dtable Members
Statewide Water Supply Initiative

October 21, 2003
Page 3

A recent example of planning for environmental and recreational water needs is the
Upper Colorado River Basin Study (UPCO) (Hydrosphere 2003). Infonnation for this
study was compiled on instream flow water needs and reservoir water levels necessary
for enviroIlll1ental and water based recreational activities in Grand and Summit Counties~
This included Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) instream flow water rights,
biological and recreational fish flows, kayaking flows, rafting flows, and reservoir levels
necessary for operation of boat ramps and marinas. These environmental and
recreational water needs were then compared with existing streamflows and reservoir
levels to detennine where shortages occur. In addition, streamflows and reservoir levels
under future water diversion and development scenarios were compared with the
environmental and recreational needs to identify water shortages and possible , -
management solutions.

Instream water needs for ,UPCO were based upon data compiled by the QQ Committee
from meetings with local anglers, the Colorado Division of Wildlife, rafting companies,
kayak shops, marina operators and other sources including those listed below under the
"Information Sources" caption. For the instream demands, high flows, optimum flows
and minimum flows were detel111ined for each activity on each stream segment where
that activity occurred. Marina operators provided information on optimlUll and minimum
reservoir levels for operation of their facilities. Information also included the boating
season for each reservoir and potential mitigation for future operations under lower
reservoir levels. The instream flow and reservoir level water needs for Summit and
Grand ComIties are summarized in the attached tablesi Memoranda prepared by QQ
Staff to document methodologies and information sources are also attached to this letter.

In addition, information on I-day and 3D-day, 3-year low flows used for tIle calculation
of effluent permit limits for wastewater treatment plants were compiled for applicable
locations of interest for use as an indicator of potential water quality impacts associated
with future development scenarios. Tables summarizing wastewater treatment plant low-
flows for Grand and Summit Counties are attached.

We understand that it may not be possible to fully implement the approaches employed
for UPCO in the SWSI process due to scheduling and other constraints~ However, with
the resources available for SWSI, it is possible to identify several key priority areas
where the upea approach or similar approaches could be applied~ Several examples of
key areas are listed below. The Basin Roundtables should be consulted to identify key
priority stream reaches within each basin.

o The Colorado River Mainstem from Kremmling to the state line for kayaking,
rafting and endangered fish species;

o The Eagle River from Redcliffto Gypsum for fishing, rafting and kayaking~

CJ The Dolores River downstream of McPhee Dam for fishing and rafting.

Trout UIIlbnited: America's Leadb.g Coldwater Fisheries Conservation Organizatio1l.
Colorado Office: (320 Pearl Street, Suite 320; Boulder, CO 80302
PHONE: [phone] FAX~ [phone] EMAIL: [e-mail], [e-mail]