Colorado - Battlement Reservoir #3_Water Activity Summary (USFS)

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Water Supply Reserve Account - Grant and Loan Program Water Activity Summary Sheet Applicant: U. S. Forest Service Sponsor: Grand Valley Anglers Chapter of Trout Unlimited and Federation of Fly Fishers Water Activity Name: Battlement Reservoir 43 Dam Reconstruction Amount Requested: $80,000 Source of Funds: $80,000 (Colorado River Basin Account) Matching Funds: $320,000 Water Activity Purpose: Structural or non-structural water project or activity County: Garfield Drainage Basin: Colorado Water Source: Battlement Creels, Tributary to Colorado River Staff Recommendation Staff recommends approval of up to $80,000 from the Colorado River Basin Account to help complete the Battlement Reservoir 43 Dam Reconstruction project contingent on resolution of the items in the issues/additional needs section. Water Activity Summary: The proposed water activity will enhance recreational and environmental opportunities with dam reconstruction of Battlement Reservoir #3. The Battlement Reservoirs are a chain of seven historic reservoirs, located in a montaine setting at 10,000 feet elevation in the White River National Forest, seven miles south of Battlement Mesa, Colorado. The Reservoirs were originally constructed for irrigation use by the Battlement Water Supply Company (BWSC) in the late 1800's. Maintenance of the Battlement Reservoirs became very difficult due to the inaccessibility of the site to motorized equipment. Most of the outlet structures were inoperable by the 1960's, when the reservoirs were no longer annually drained. This lack of reservoir maintenance resulted in an environmental benefit for the reservoirs' highly productive fisheries. The Battlement Reservoirs became very popular with anglers that desired a pristine, back-country experience. Battlement Reservoir 93, the largest reservoir at 10 surface acres (408.67 acre feet) breached during spring run- off in 1983. This breach resulted in major damage to the Battlement Creek channel, as well as County roads downstream of the reservoirs. The community supported the use of the Battlement Reservoirs, so a process to restore the reservoir complex as a viable fishery began. Reconstruction of Battlement Reservoir 43 will include: 1) removal of the non-working outlet structure, 2) construction of a permanent, hardened spillway that will maintain a constant water level in the Reservoir, 3) outsloping the downstream slope of the dam, and 4) revegetation of disturbed areas. The dam will be reconstructed to meet current dam safety standards. Vegetation removed during the project will be replanted in the project area, when possible. Native seed mix will be used for revegetation of disturbed sites. The completion of Battlement Reservoir 43 will complement all of the other Reservoirs within the Battlement system by providing fish and wildlife habitat. An additional 6 surface acres will increase the total surface acres to 16 for nonconsumptive use in Battlement Reservoir 93. The development of a native Colorado River Cutthroat (CRC) trout fishery and brood stock ref igia for a native State Species of Special Concern will