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: 07gsg GRAND VALLEY WATER MANAGEMENT STUDY: A CARROT OR A HA1VIIvIER? Robert E. Norman' ABSTRACT The 15-Mile Reach of the Colorado River lies between Palisade, Colorado, and the confluence of the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers near Grand Junction. It is an important habitat for the endangered Colorado squawfish and razorback sucker. Recovery of these fish will require nearly optimal habitat conditions. Modification of the Government Highline Canal system would facilitate water management efficiency and thereby help maintain habitat conditions. Salinity control improvements have successfully decreased seepage from the system, but are lacking in ways to improve water management capabilities in the canal. The Grand Valley Water Users' Association (GVWUA) operates the canal and continues historic operation patterns since salinity improvements have not included facilities needed to maintain necessary water surface elevations on major portions of the canal system. To overcome this it has been proposed to automate the canal, install water surface elevation control structures (check structures) and formulate a new water management strategy for the system. Through canal system improvements it may be possible for the GVWUA to continue to meet its water delivery commitments, and also redirect some water to the Grand Valley Power Plant, and, ultimately to the 15-Mile Reach. Side channel storage would further help GVWUA meet short-term peak demands without increasing river diversions. INTRODUCTION Central to the "New Reclamation" is water management and Reclamation's increased emphasis on the environmental effects of our projects. The Grand Valley Water Management Study encompasses this entire arena. The study will address a new water management strategy for one of Reclamation's first projects, the operation of some of our reservoirs, and efforts to help with the recovery of endangered fish. The study stemmed from Reclamation's partici- 'Planning Team Leader and a member of the Water Acquisition Committee of the Recovery Implementation Program for the Endan- gered Fish Species of the Upper Colorado River Basin, Bureau of Reclamation, Grand Junction Projects office, Grand Junction, Colorado.