Dolores River DRAFT Correlation Report

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DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT Dolores River Dialogue Correlation Report: Summary of Hydrologic and Scientific Findings And Resulting Matrix Templates Introduction The Dolores River Dialogue (DRD) is amulti-stakeholder effort aimed at improving the environment of the Dolores River downstream of McPhee Dam, while protecting or enhancing human uses of the Dolores River resource. After completion of the DRD Hydrology Report (water availability analysis) and the Core Science Report (summary of downstream environments), this Correlation Report is intended to integrate the findings of the two prior DRD studies. The purpose relating these three DRD reports is repeated from the Plan to Proceed, below: "PURPOSE" "This Plan To Proceed outlines the three technical understandings required to get to the point where the Dolores River Dialogue Group can make a responsible decision about what, if any, action to take to implement its goals. First, a water availability analysis needs to be done. That analysis needs to describe the amount of water expected to flow downstream of McPhee Reservoir through spills and base flow releases. It also needs to describe the realistic opportunities to manage or enhance those flows. Second, an analysis of potential downstream environments needs to be made. The science associated with different flow patterns downstream of McPhee Reservoir needs to be described. Third, a correlation between those two efforts needs to be made that will illuminate the practical actions that could result from the efforts of the DRD Group. A matrix of doable alternatives with identified consequences (scientific, institutional, legal, political, and fiscal) will be described. The Plan's finished products are designed to be thorough, credible, and realistic in their analysis of what is possible and what hurdles different actions may potentially face." This report presents a summary of the correlation between the water availability analysis and potential downstream environments in order to frame a matrix of doable alternatives with identified consequences. I. DRD Hydrology and Expected Future Water Availability Table 1 is a summary model of 77 years of flows (1928-2005) on the Dolores River estimating the frequency and magnitude of spills given actual inflow gage records at Dolores, storage in McPhee Reservoir, and full Dolores Project demands. The purpose of this modeled summary is to provide the best estimate of expected future water availability as a foundation for correlating potential 9/5/06 ~