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03/13/96 15:08 0 303 245 6933 FISH & WILDLIFE -)44 R 0 4 Denver Ij009/011 <br />PUOPOSE AND MXCTIVES <br />This study focuses on the 2.3-mile reach of the lower Gunnison River, which <br />encompasses the riverine area between the Redlands Diversion Dam (river mile [RM] <br />3.0) and the confluence of the Colorado River (RM 0.7)a. In 1993, this reach was <br />identified as a priority area for instream flow protection. The Gunnison River <br />from the confluence of the Colorado River upstream to the confluence of the <br />Uncompahgre River (56 river miles) was designated critical habitat for both the <br />Colorado squawfish and razorback sucker in 1994 (59 FR 13374.13400) under <br />authority of the ESA. <br />2 Prior to the flood years of 1963 and 1964, the confluence of the Gunnison and Colorado rivers was 0.0. During these <br />flood years, the Colorado River claimed 0.7 mile of a former aide channel of the Qumison River. Therefore, after <br />1994, the new confluence designation was 0.7 rather then 0.0. <br />The Redlands Diversion Dam is privately owned and operated by the Redlands <br />Water and Power Company. The Redlands Diversion Dam, constructed in 1918, is a <br />12-foot high barrier that diverts 750 cfs of water from the Gunnison River <br />through a canal on the left abutment into a power canal. This flow is conveyed <br />downstream for irrigation water (about 80 cfs) and hydroelectric power generation <br />(about 670 cfs). Flow is diverted into the power canal year-round except for one <br />week each in the spring and fall for inspection and maintenance. Redlands <br />operates the diversion dam to maintain the 750-cfs flow into the canal during the <br />winter months. <br />During low-flow periods, flow essentially ceases in the 2.3-mile reach <br />between the plunge pool and Colorado River confluence for several days because <br />of the irrigation withdrawal by Redlands. This results in loss of habitat, loss <br />of passage for fishes moving upstream from- or moving downstream to the Colorado <br />River, and possible stranding in the plunge pool and stream reach. These pert oas <br />