9377

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9377
• Author: Colorado Water Workshop.
• Title: 16th Annual Colorado Water Workshop.
• USFW Year: 1991.
• USFW - Doc Type: Western State College.
• Copyright Material: NO

to a reasonable degree and 2) that the water is physically and
legally available for appropriations. For purpose of recovery,
the Board has determined that the "minimum" amount is the amount
needed to recover the endangered fish species.

To date, 10,000 acre feet of water are being released from Ruedi
reservoir for the benefit of endangered fishes. Other water
acquisition activities in process include:

1) Yampa Basin: A feasibility study, jointly funded by
the Recovery Program and the Colorado River Water
Conservation District, is considering reservoir sites
in the Yampa Basin that will provide for water supply
and economic development as an alternative to
construction of the Juniper-Cross Mountain project. If
such a project can be found and funded, the River
District has indicated a willingness to consider sale
or other transfer of a portion of the Juniper-Cross
Mountain rights to the Colorado Water Conservation
Board for conversion of instream flows to benefit the
endangered species.

2) Fifteen-Mile Reach of the Colorado River. Palisade to
the Gunnison: The Colorado Water Conservation Board
has approved use of flow recommendations developed by
the Fish & Wildlife Service for the months of July,
August and September for use in appropriating or
acquiring instream flows. A water availability study
to determine the physical and legal availability of
water for an appropriation should be completed by the
end of 1991. The Bureau of Reclamation has completed
an initial feasibility study of water sources for the
1S-mile reach and is considering additional
alternatives. The Service has requested that an
additional 20,000 acre-feet of water be released for
endangered fishes from Ruedi reservoir, and it appears
that this will be done on an annual basis beginning in
1991.

3) Water Acquisition Activities: The Water Acquisition
Committee has received a number of proposals to sell
water to the Recovery Program. These proposals are
evaluated in terms and yield and value. Thus far, none
of the proposals has been accepted due to questionable
benefits to endangered species.

4) Cross Mountain Ranch Neqotiations: The Nature
Conservancy has been in the process of negotiating the
purchase of a ranch on the Yampa River in the vicinity
of the Little Snake River downstream from Craig for
about 2 years. This ranch includes about 8,000 acre-
feet of senior water rights. If the property is
acquired, most of the water will be transferred to the
Recovery Program for use in providing habitat for
endangered fish. An appropriation to buy the ranch may

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