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<br />000997 <br /> <br />Draft - Subiect to Review and ChalJ~ <br /> <br />Denver Water Operating Guideline - (David Bennett 4110/2001) <br /> <br />Williams ForkIWolford Reservoir Fish Flows <br /> <br />Background: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service identified a need for 10,825 af/yr to be <br />delivered to the' IS-Mile Reach as part of the Recovery Program for the four endangered <br />fish species in the area. In April 2000, Denver Water entered into an agreement with the <br />CWCB and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide an interim supply of 5,412.5 <br />aflyr to the IS-Mile Reach for a 10-year period. This amount covers the East Slope trans- <br />mountain diverters' obligation. The Colorado River District entered into a similar <br />agreement to provide 5,412.5 af/yr to cover the West Slope obligation. <br /> <br />DW and the Northern District subsequently filed for a new reservoir site on a tributary of <br />the Colorado (Sulfur Gulch), that may eventually provide a permanent source of fish <br />flows for the East Slope obligations. During the IO-year interim period, DW expects to <br />provide the fish flows primarily from Williams Fork. DW may also provide the water <br />from Wolford from DW's Clinton-Fraser agreement pool, which is Wolford contract <br />water provided to DW by Grand County and Summit County entities under the Clinton.. <br />Fraser agreement. DW may also make deliveries from Dillon, or others (see agreement). <br />DW may reduce deliveries during droughts, when restrictions are applied to all users <br />within the combined service area. <br /> <br />Fish Flow Operations: The first fish flows each year should probably come from <br />Denver's contract pool in Wolford. The amount available is currently 1606 af/yr. This <br />amount may change as parties under the Clinton-Fraser agreement choose to provide DW <br />with Wolford contract water in exchange for depletions to Dillon and the Fraser system. <br />The remaining 3,805.5 af/yr should come from Williams Fork, unless there is an <br />operational reason to provide the water from Dillon. <br /> <br />Williams Fork Accounting: The first 3805.5 af diverted at Williams Fork each year <br />should be stored as free-river water. That free-river water will subsequently be used to <br />provide fish flows. The Williams Fork storage call should not be placed until 3,805.5 afis <br />stored under free-river. All water stored in Williams Fork under free-river will count <br />against the paper fill oftheI935 storage decree. Any free-river water not delivered to the <br />IS-Mile reach will be held in a free-river account in Williams Fork and available for fish <br />flows in subsequent years. <br />