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<br />74 <br /> <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />The Modified Release Patterns, Except For The <br />Releases To Mimic Pre-Dam Flows, Are Generally <br />Beneficial To Downstream Resources <br /> <br />Figure VII-7 shows the impacts of the modified release <br />scenarios for all critical resources combined on one <br />matrix. The resource targeted by the scenarios are <br />shown at the left of each row of the matrix. This <br />matrix can be scanned vertically to see how each re- <br />source fares under the various scenarios. For example, <br />the . four question marks under Chub reflect the un- <br />certainty about the flows needed to increase rearing <br />habitat in the Little Colorado River. The pluses under <br />Trout Fishing reflect the improved fishing conditions <br />that would result from all scenarios since they all in- <br />volve dramatic reductions in the frequency of very low, <br />very high, and fluctuating releases. The pluses for <br />vegetation and wildlife reflect benefits of removing <br />floods. The pluses for common native fish reflect the <br />improved quality and stability of backwaters when <br />fluctuating flows are eliminated. <br /> <br />The minuses in the matrix highlight areas where efforts <br />to improve one resource would likely harm another. The <br />major conflict is between the increase in humpback chub <br />populations caused by high water in the summer and loss <br />of sand because of increased sediment transport under <br />the humpback chub scenario. <br /> <br />Impacts Of INCREASING POWERPLANT CAPACITY From <br />31,500 cfs To 33,100 cfs Cannot Be Assessed At <br />This Time <br /> <br />The changes in dam operations due to the Uprate and <br />Rewind Program are not yet determined. It is not <br />possible at this time to specify precisely how the new <br />powerplant capacity will affect future dam operations. <br />variability in forecasts, management options, and <br />physical system limitations will impact the actual <br />releases scheduled. The way that the new capacity <br />will be used has not been formalized, and until it is, <br />impacts cannot be assessed. <br />