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<br />Juniper-Cross Mountain dams were constructed to generate <br />hydroelectric power. 20 <br />A different policy decision by the Colorado Water <br />Conservation Board might be required in other circumstances. For <br />example, the conversion of a 2000 cfs conditional hydropower <br />right with a moderately senior priority on the mainstem of the <br />Colorado River very near the stateline might impose a disruptive <br />call on existing absolute water rights upstream. Instream flows <br />on this reach of endangered fish habitat may need to be <br />increased, in contrast to protecting the status quo with the <br />conversion of the Juniper-Cross Mountain water rights on the <br />Yampa River, but it would hardly be good water policy to secure <br />such flow enhancements by taking water away involuntarily from <br />some existing use. A more appropriate strategy for this reach of <br />endangered fish habitat may be to purchase and change already <br />developed or absolute water rights or water already in storage. <br />Lastly, it might compromise Colorado's compact position to commit <br />both a substantial portion of the Yampa River to instream use and <br />another 2000 cfs on the mainstem of the Colorado. <br />The disposition of conditional water rights may also be the <br />key to legal protection of inflows to the Yampa River just above <br />20 Memorandum from Robert Wigington to Bill McDonald <br />regarding Maybell Delivery Requirement/Other Legal Questions on <br />Yampa River Instream Flows, June 10, 1988. <br />21