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

11
The purpose of this 1997 Coordinated Reservoir Operations Report is to summarize actual
Reservoir Operations that occurred during 1997 as a result of the CROS team efforts. The team
intends to monitor the bypasses of inflows, gaged peaks, releases and benefits to the endangered
fishes of the Upper Colorado River mainstem, as a result of actual operations. Refinements in
the study assumptions, operations and results with real-time data may occur as an outcome.
It needs to be recognized that the net effect of the Orchard Mesa Check Settlement, and any
dedication of water from Ruedi and Wolford Mountain reservoirs, to summer augmentation
results in less water available to carry over and thus less opportunity to bypass inflows the
following year. The program needs to prioritize and balance the use of water between summer
augmentation and spring peak bypass enhancement opportunities.
t
I
1

1
r
i
U
F
fl
The CROS team will continue to address issues to accomplish the study goals. It does appear that
some contribution to the enhancement peak flow can be made, though perhaps less than initially
anticipated. The team requests that the Management Committee and Water Acquisition
Committee review this report and confirm the direction of the effort. The team needs feedback
on the issues and which should be pursued further.
During the 1997 Water Year, coordinated bypasses of inflows began on May 30, 1997. On June
5, 1997, the CROS group and USFWS decided to reduce the bypasses due to flooding concerns
in the Kremmling, Cameo and Grand Valley areas. Additional inflows could have been
bypassed to increase peak flows, but were held in storage to avoid flooding problems.
II. Responsibilities - Coordination Committee
A Coordination Committee has been established to provide a forum to consider and plan for the
annual coordination of reservoir operations. The committee is currently composed of
representatives from each of the participating reservoir owner/operators, the Recovery Program,
Fish and Wildlife Service, National Weather Service, Bureau of Reclamation, Colorado Water
Conservation Board, Colorado Division of Wildlife and the Colorado Division of Water
Resources - Division 5 Engineer's Office. As other entities that may contribute to the process are
identified, they may be added to the committee. The responsibilities of the involved agencies are
as follows:
AGENCY RESPONSIBILITY
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Flow targets in the 15-Mile Reach
Monitoring of endangered fish in critical
habitat and influences on critical habitat
Coordinate reservoir operations with CDWR
and reservoir operators
National Weather Service Develop list of forecast locations
Provide runoff forecasts (peak volume, rate and
time)
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation & SEWCD Annual operating plan for Ruedi
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation & NCWCD &
CRWCD Annual operating plan for Green Mountain
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation & NCWCD Annual operating plans for Granby, Windy
Gap, and Willow Creek
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Organize meeting locations and times
1