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Endangered Species Under the Endangered Species Act, four Colorado River native fish species are listed as endangered: Colorado pikeminnow; humpback chub, bony tail, and razorback sucker. Causes for the decline of these species may include alteration of stream flows by water projects, introduction of non-native species and past efforts to remove the native fish from the Colorado River. In 1988, the States of Colorado, Utah and Wyoming; water users; hydro- power customers; environmental organizations; and federal agencies developed a program to recover these species while allowing water use and development to continue. The Recovery Program for Endangered Fish of the Upper Colorado River Basin is designed to achieve recovery by (1) improving flow conditions by adding water to the river when needed by the fish, (2) improving and developing habitat, (3) reducing non- native fish populations, and (4) devel- oping native fish stocking programs. Implementation of the Recovery Program should allow Colorado to fully develop its entitlement to water under the Compacts. Compact Facts Colorado River Compact of 1922 Allocates 7.5 million acre-feet (mat) of consumptive use annually to (1) the Upper Colorado River Basin (those parts of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming above Lee Ferry, Arizona) and (2) the Lower Colorado River Basin (those parts of Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah below Lee Ferry, Arizona). This Compact requires the Upper Colorado River Basin to deliver an average of 75 maf to the Lower Basin during any consecutive 10- year period. Rio Grande, Colorado and Tijuana Treaty of 1944 between the United States and Mexico Guarantees delivery of 1.5 maf of Colorado River water per year to Mexico. If ~ere is not adequate surplus water to satisfy the obligation, the Upper and Lower Basms are to equally share the burden of reducing uses to make up any deficiencies. Upper Colorado River Basin Compact of 1948 Allocates the Upper Basin consumptive use of water as follows: Arizona 50,000 acre-feet/year Colorado 51.75010 Utah 23010 Wyoming 14010 New Mexico 11.25010 Additionally; the State of Colorado may not deplete the flow in the Yampa River below an aggregate of 5 maf over any 10-year period. Depending upon the interpretation of the Compacts, other laws, and the amount of water in the river, Colorado's right to the consumptive use of water under the Compacts may range from 3.079 maf to 3.855 maf per year. Colorado currently consumes an average of 2.3 maf per year with facilities in place capable of using up to 2.6 mat Colorado's apportionment has not been divided among the various sub- bas~s ~ithin the state. The Yampa and La Plata River Basins have specific delivery obligations under the Compacts. The allocation and administration of any surpluses and shortages under the Compacts within Colorado remains open to discussion but ultimately will be subject to determination and administration by the State Engineer. Unique Characteristics ~ Approximately 480,000 acre-feet of transmountain diversions is made to the South Platte and Arkansas River Basins from the Colorado Mainstem on average each year. This far exceeds transmountain diversions from any other area in the state. ~ There is less reliance on groundwater in the basin for irrigation, municipal and industrial water supply purposes than in the Rio Grande, Arkansas and South Platte River Basins. i\ The presence of four species of endangered fish and the resulting U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Recovery Program have significant effects on water resources management and development. ~ Salinity issues could affect future development in the basin. Columbine Lake (Photo courtesy of Sarah Reeves) (Colorado River Basin Facts - 4 )