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alternatives were eliminated because, if constructed, they would decrease the ability of the <br />diversion to handle flood flows, could interfere with operation of the diversion, and could <br />increase the potential for ice damage to the passageway. Another alternative was to construct <br />the fish passageway leading into the Redlands Canal and included a pipeline from the canal into <br />the Gunnison River. This alternative was eliminated because, if built, it would force the native <br />fish to use an enclosed pipe to exit from the canal into the river and would probably increase <br />the potential of fish to be lost in the downstream powerplant. Suggestions were made to <br />consider using wood construction so that initial costs were lowered and the effectiveness of the <br />passageway could be monitored. This idea is discussed further in Chapter 4. <br />Interim Water Agreement <br />Three alternatives were considered for the interim water agreement. These are, basically, two <br />alternatives to provide water for the endangered fish from the Aspinall Unit with protection of <br />historic water uses and one alternative to provide water for the interim agreement with no special <br />protection of historic water uses: <br />Alternative A (Protection of Basin Water Users through Operational Flexibility)--Under <br />Alternative A, which is the proposed alternative, the agreement would maintain flows of 300 cfs <br />downstream from the Redlands Diversion Dam in July through October. Based on water <br />supplies available, plans for the Aspinall Unit operations would try to maintain the 300 cfs below <br />the Redlands Diversion Dam in other months. This is done under present conditions and a water <br />agreement is not necessary. The agreement would specify that during the Aspinall Unit <br />operation meetings (held each year during January, April, and August), Reclamation would <br />develop an operating plan and water release schedule that attempts to satisfy the needs of <br />downstream Gunnison River mainstem water users senior in priority to the Aspinall Unit. <br />Specifically the agreement states: <br />Reclamation hereby agrees to release from the Aspinall Unit sufficient water to maintain a <br />minimum flow of 300 cfs during the months of July, August, September and October in the <br />Gunnison River from the Redlands Diversion Dam to the confluence of the Gunnison River <br />with the Colorado River, said flows to include the water necessary to operate the proposed <br />fish passage facilities located at the Redlands Diversion Dam. The operating plan and water <br />release schedule will be dependent upon current hydrologic conditions and the available <br />water supply. For the term of this agreement, the operating plan shall completely remove <br />the need for administrative calls by downstream Gunnison River mainstem users senior in <br />priority to the Aspinall Unit, unless such plan would cause Blue Mesa Reservoir to drop <br />below the 400,000 acre-foot total storage level at the end of the current calendar year. In <br />such event, the parties jointly agree to reduce the 300 cfs release amount otherwise protected <br />pursuant to this MOA (agreement) in order to minimize the administrative calls which will <br />occur from water rights downstream and senior to the Aspinall Unit and its decrees. These <br />releases shall not result in any water bypassing the Blue Mesa, Morrow Point, and Crystal <br />powerplants, except during periods when the powerplants are not operating. <br />10