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<br />the other year, flow control restrictions at Delta limited releases. The reason the FWS demand <br />hydrograph was met more often than the recommended flows at the Whitewater gage was that the <br />predicted magnitude and timing of tributary peaks did not match the actual magnitude and timing of <br />tributary peaks. Improving the accuracy of predicting the magnitude and timing of tributary peaks <br />would increase the frequency recommended flows would be met. <br /> <br />While recommended peaks were not consistently met, flows under Model Runs B, C, and D would <br />improve habitat conditions for the endangered fish because the frequency of these spring peaks would <br />Increase. <br /> <br />Base Flows <br /> <br />The flow recommendations include minimum base flow levels for non-peak flow periods. As is the <br />case for peak flows, these desired base flow levels are dependent on hydrologic conditions for the <br />Whitewater gage. <br /> <br />Recommended base flows for the non-peak period (June through the following April) range from 750 <br />to 1,050 cfs in dry and moderately dry years; 1,050 cfs (2,000 cfs maximum) in average dry and <br />average wet years; and 1,500 cfs (2,500 cfs maximum) in moderately wet and wet years. The modeled <br />alternatives do not modify Aspinall Unit daily releases from the values set by the FWS demand <br />hydro graph if actual tributaries differ from those forecasted. Time constraints prevented a refinement <br />of model rules that further accommodate changes affecting base flows. <br /> <br />Model results show that under baseline conditions (Run A), base flows at the Whitewater gage exceed <br />95 percent of recommended flows approximately 91 percent of the time, and exceed 80 percent of <br />desired flows approximately 96 percent of the time. Under the flow recommendation alternatives <br />(Runs B, C and D), base flows at the Whitewater gage exceed 95 percent of the recommended flows <br />97 percent of the time, and 80 percent of the recommended flows 99 percent of the time. <br /> <br />For modeling purposes, it was assumed that the 750 cfs base flow level at Whitewater for specified <br />months in dry and moderately dry years is the minimum flow during these periods. As such, the <br />model made releases to maintain the 750 cfs flow level in these periods. Drier years typically <br />required additional releases which resulted in an increased draw on Blue Mesa storage. The provision <br />ofa minimum 750 cfs base flow at the Whitewater gage provides more water to the'Redlands <br />Diversion Dam than under baseline (Run A) in dry years. The Redlands Diversion users have water <br />rights totaling 850 cfs, although the physical capacity is about 820 cfs. The Federal Energy <br />Regulatory Commission exemption under which the diversion operates, limits diversions to 750 cfs if <br />the flow below the diversion falls below 300 cfs. <br /> <br />Fish passage flows <br /> <br />Fish passage flows equal or greater than 300 cfs are desired below the Redlands Diversion when <br />recommended flows at the Whitewater gage equal or exceed 1,050 cfs (Under conditions where <br />recommended base flows are less than 1,050 cfs, flows less than 300 cfs below Redlands are <br />acceptable). A fish ladder allows native fish to move upstream past the dam. Flow recommendations <br /> <br />5 <br />