8056

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 8056
• Author: Hamill, J.
• Title: Restoring and Protecting Instream Flows for Endangered Fish in the Upper Colorado River Basin.
• USFW Year: 1992.
• USFW - Doc Type: Denver, CO.
• Copyright Material: NO

Restoring and Protecting Instream Flows for Endangered Fish
in the Upper Colorado River Basin

John Hamill, Director
Upper Colorado River Recovery Program
U.S. Fish and wildlife Service (FWE)
Box 25486, DFC
Denver, CO 80225
[phone]

ABSTRACT

Four native fish that inhabit the Colorado River have been
federally listed as endangered: the Colorado squawfish, the
humpback chub, the bony tail chub, and the razorback sucker. The
Recovery Implementation Program for Endangered Fish Species in
the Upper Colorado River Basin (Recovery Program) is a consortium
of Federal and State agencies, environmental organizations, and
private water development interests whose mission is to recover
the endangered fish in the Upper Colorado River Basin while
allowing for new water development to continue. A principal
objective of the Recovery Program involves acquiring and/or
restoring adequate instream flows to support self-sustaining
populations of the endangered fish. Priority areas for
acquisition of water rights for the endangered fish in the upper
basin include the Yampa River, White River, and a i5-mile reach
of the Colorado River immediately upstream of the confluence of
the Gunnison River. The instream flow requirements of the
endangered fish have been identified for several rivers; however,
the scientific validity of the recommendations has been
questioned and independent review is being conducted. The
operation of several Federal reservoirs including Flaming Gorge,
Blue Mesa, and Ruedi Reservoirs has been adjusted to meet the
instream flow requirements of the fish. Water and water rights
are also being acquired and/or appropriated to provide flows for
the endangered fish in a manner consistent with State water law
and Interstate Compacts. However, to date progress in this area
has been slow due to several legal and institutional issues.
Until these issues are resolved, the Recovery Program is
evaluating how Colorado's water law might be used to protect
flows on an interim or conditional basis.