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1990. Use of water stored in Blue Mesa that has already been set aside for fish ensures that water would not be removed from other possible uses: Water available to downstream diverters would not be significantly affected except under very dry conditions, and the frequency of "calls" on the river by senior water rights would not increase appreciably; however the amount of shortages during call conditions might increase. Language in the interim agreement is designed to protect water supplies and to share shortages in cases of extreme drought such as occurred in 1977. In addition, the water delivery agreement will be an interim or temporary agreement; effects on water uses as well as fisheries will be monitored to provide data for eventual development of a long-term contract. Fish and Wildlife Existing Conditions The primary fish and wildlife resources associated with this proposal are found in the Gunnison River itself and with the riparian and agricultural land along the river. Reservoirs of the Aspinall Unit support cold water fisheries of kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, and brown trout. Downstream from the reservoirs, portions of the river support a self-sustaining Gold Medal fishery of rainbow and brown trout. In the vicinity of the Redlands Diversion Dam, the river is warmer and more turbid and supports a limited sport fishery. There are 15 species of non- native fish and 6 species of native fish in the river above the Redlands Diversion Dam. In terms of total fish numbers, 75 percent of the fish upstream are native which is considered an unusually high percentage (Fish and Wildlife Service, 1994a). Downstream from the diversion dam, occasional low flow periods reduce the quality of the habitat for fish. Downstream the percentage of non-native fish such as carp, channel catfish, shiners, white suckers, and bass increase. There is movement of fish back and forth between the Colorado River and the Gunnison River downstream from the Redlands Diversion Dam. The riparian land, particularly upstream from the diversion dam, provides valuable wildlife habitat. Forested wetlands in western Colorado are very scarce and support a disproportionately high percentage of wildlife in terms of number of species and number of individual animals. This type of habitat is rapidly being lost to sand and gravel development, recreation development, and floodplain alterations. The lower Gunnison River is also an important wintering area for waterfowl. Impacts Under the No Action Alternative and Alternatives A, B, and C, there will be alterations of riparian vegetation and wildlife habitat upstream from the Redlands Diversion Dam as private gravel operations are started. River flows downstream from the diversion dam will occasionally be very low, resulting in poor habitat conditions. 26