9364

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9364
• Author: Upper Colorado River Recovery Implementation Program.
• Title: 1997 Coordinated Reservoir Operations Bypasses for Endangered Fish.
• USFW Year: 1997.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

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anticipated that individual reservoir operations will exceed their historic operational envelopes
and operations will be consistent with existing institutional constraints and commitments.
It is recognized that the proposed process will be dynamic due to the highly variable nature of
each hydrologic year and new information obtained regarding the flow needs of the fish.
Additionally, future water resource developments in the Colorado River above the 15-Mile
Reach will likely be based upon development of water supplies taken from the spring peak.
' Therefore, future water resource developers/operators should be encouraged to participate in this
coordination process.
Background on Recovery Program
The Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Implementation Program is a cooperative, 15-
year program of Federal and State agencies, environmental organizations and water development
interests aimed at reestablishing self-sustaining populations of endangered Colorado River fish
while providing for new water development.
The Recovery Program has five major elements: (1) habitat management through provision of
instream flows, (2) habitat development and maintenance through non-flow alternatives, (3)
stocking of native fishes, (4) management of normative species and impacts of sport fishing, and
(5) research, monitoring, and data management.
Four native fish species that inhabit the Colorado River Basin are federally listed as endangered:
Colorado squawfish, humpback chub, bonytail chub, and razorback sucker (razorback). Each of
these four species was once abundant in the Upper Colorado River Basin; however, they have
declined in numbers and are now threatened with extinction from their natural habitat.
Factors accounting for the current status of these species include direct loss of habitat, changes in
water flow and temperature regimes, blockage of migration routes, and interactions with
introduced (non-native) fish species.
The Coordinated Reservoir Program is a major element of the Recovery Program in that very
few items have been established to offset water depletion to the peak of the hydrograph. The
purpose of the Coordinated Reservoir Operations Program is to help restore peak flows, improve
habitats for Colorado squawfish and restore some floodplain habitats to assist in recovery of
razorback suckers.
MEETING AGENDAS FOR PUBLIC MEETINGS
UPPER COLORADO RIVER RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM
COORDINATED RESERVOIR OPERATIONS
AGENDA FOR PUBLIC MEETINGS
February 18-19, 1997
A. Welcome & Introductions (5 minutes)
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