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APPENDIX 6 <br />LFWS Proposed Questions <br />1. What is the current management (manipulation) regime and how does that affect <br />both seasonal LSC level and river hydrograph fluctuations, in comparison to what <br />would be expected under "natural" non-manipulated conditions? <br />2. How will the annual hydrograph of the LSC Fork below the LSC differ from what <br />currently exists, using a variety of water level management scenarios, (e.g. <br />considering water demand over time, and seasonality of storage and release of the <br />top three feet of water in the LSC). How will the snowmelt (peak flow) hydrograph <br />change? If water is released during the low flow period, how will the low flow <br />hydrograph change? <br />3. The delta at the LSC inlet is an extensive wetlands and willow carr that includes 85 <br />acres of private land that is registered with the Colorado Natural Areas Program as a <br />potential preserve. What would be the impact on these communities considering the <br />range of LSC management levels (post construction) mentioned in #2 above? The <br />impacts to be evaluated should include, but not be limited to, potential loss/gain in <br />wetland acreage, change in wetland species composition, waterfowl and other bird <br />nesting sites, trout spawning, and other wildlife dependent on wetland habitat. <br />What is the "ideal" hydrology to maintain these wetlands in a healthy state for fish <br />and wildlife habitat and to maintain wetland integrity? What are some probable <br />water level management scenarios (post construction) that might help to maintain <br />these characteristics? <br />4. There are two rare riparian plant communities (Blue spruce / thinleaf alder riparian <br />woodlands) identified in 2002 by the Colorado Natural Area Program and have an <br />imperilment rank of G3 / S3 - "Vulnerable through its range or found locally in a <br />restricted range." According to Joe Roccio at the CNHP there are only 39 known <br />occurrences in Colorado. These are located through aseven-mile stretch of private <br />and public land from High Bridge Gulch to the Gate. In the Colorado Natural Area <br />the conservation significance is described as high priority. In the CNHP Survey of <br />Critical Wetlands And Riparian Areas in Gunnison County for the Potential <br />Conservation Area, it is stated: "Given that the elements are dependent on natural <br />hydrological processes associated with the LSC Fork Gunnison River and its <br />tributaries, upstream activities such as water diversions, impoundments, and <br />improper livestock grazing are detrimental to the hydrology of the riparian area." <br />What is the "ideal" hydrological regime to maintain these communities and <br />associated fish habitat? How does this differ from what is the current regime? <br />According to local accounts, once the rocks are placed in the LSC outlet, the LSC <br />Fork drops significantly from the outlet down to the Henson creek confluence. What <br />would be the impact on these communities considering the range of LSC <br />management levels (post constructions mentioned in #2 above? What are some <br />probable water level management scenarios that might help to maintain riparian <br />integrity? <br />RFP Lake San Cristobal Project <br />Page 14 of 15 <br />