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<br />such as 1995, the space is filled within a matter of a few days, without allowing an <br />opportunity to reduce peak streamflows. Reservoirs naturally attenuate peak streamflows <br />even when full due to the configuration of the reservoir and spillway. (See Figure 10 for <br />an example.) It is understood that this goal of reducing peak streamflows is intended to <br />apply to managing operations only and is to work within, the existing storage capacity in <br />the South Platte basin. Nothing in this Plan is intended to promote or prevent additional <br />storage capacity in the watershedt <br /> <br />Natural streamflow exceeds desired maximums for trout even in dry years. The storage <br />space in existing reservoirs available for flood control is insignificant. Another limitation <br />is the inability to accurately forecast streamflow, river calls, and water demands4 Such <br />predictions are necessarily no better than the ability to forecast long-term weather. The <br />Plan has purposely not set maximum streamflow levels because high streamflow events <br />are difficult to predict and reduce with the existing water storage facilities. Obviously, <br />the continued existence of healthy fisheries below Spinney, Eleven Mile, and Cheesman <br />reservoirs indicates that the brown and rainbow trout populations are fairly resilient to <br />high flow events in these tailwater areaS4 <br /> <br />Denver Water and Aurora are working with the Natural Resource Conservation Service to <br />install automatic snow measuring devices (SNOTELs) in the upper South Platte Basin. <br />Denver Water is also working with a streamflow forecasting consultant to see what <br />improvements are availablef These efforts may identify more opportunity to manage peak <br />runoff and the Plan can be modified accordingly. <br /> <br />Tasks: Denver Water and Aurora commit to work with the NRCS to install SNOTEL <br />devices in the basin and to investigate improved streamflow forecasting techniquest <br /> <br />Operations: Due to limited storage space and water rights constraints~ reducing peak <br />streamflows is the least attainable of the four fishery management goals. There are few <br />opportunities to attenuate peak streamflows by reservoir operations. Denver Water and <br />Aurora will strive to operate Spinney, Eleven Mile, and Cheesman Reservoirs to attenuate <br />peak streamflows recognizing the limited potentiat <br /> <br />3. North Fork Plan <br /> <br />For a description of North Fork water operations see Section ill.C. For fishery resources, <br />see Section ill.A.5. <br /> <br />N :\Supply\ Waage\wildscen\attachb.doc <br /> <br />B-14 <br />