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<br />" <br /> <br />'1;'"'I~ ~ ~7 <br />UtJLS", " <br /> <br />I. Why the Low Flow Test? <br /> <br />Introduction <br /> <br />The Test was conducted by Reclamation from July 9-15, 2001. <br />Assessed impacts were studied primarily from Navajo Dam to <br />FCJrmington, New Mexico, although some effects were assessed <br />further downstream. Releases from the dam were lowered from <br />approximately 500 cubic feet per second (cfs) to approximately 250 <br />cfs during this time. <br /> <br />The purpose of the Test was to allow resource specialists an <br />opportunity to evaluate the effect of low summer river flows on <br />vcuious resources. The information obtained will be used in <br />preparing the EIS in 2001-02 on operating Navajo Dam to meet <br />Flow Recommendations for the critical habitat of downstream <br />elndangered fish while maintaining authorized purposes of the <br />Nlavajo Unit and to allow for current and future water development <br />to occur. This development would include, but not be limited to, <br />the Animas-La Plata Project near Durango, Colorado, and future <br />development of the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project near <br />Frarmington, New Mexico. <br /> <br />Endangered fish (the Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker) <br />and their critical habitat are protected under the 1973 Endangered <br />Species Act (ESA), while Navajo Unit authorized purposes are <br />mandated by the 1956 Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP) Act. <br /> <br />Proposed Navajo Dam operational changes represent a degree of <br />departure from past practices which, after the Navajo Unit's <br />completion in 1963, stressed maintaining stable flows and <br />maximizing reservoir storage. For example, operational changes <br /> <br />Summer Low Flow Test Report - November 2001 <br /> <br />- 1- <br />