Laserfiche WebLink
I. INTRODUCTION <br />The Grand Valley Irrigation Company (GVIC) diversion structure is the most downstream of three low <br />head structures on the Upper Colorado River which preclude the passage of endangered Colorado River fish <br />into historic habitat further upstream. The other two structures are the Price/Stubb and the Government <br />Highline Diversion Dam. Whereas, the GVIC diversion is only a barrier to passage at low and moderate flows, <br />the other two diversion structures prevent passage at all flow conditions. As part of the Recovery <br />Implementation Program for Endangered Colorado River fish species, a program is proposed to re-establish <br />endangered fish passage above this reach which starts approximately 15 miles upstream of the Gunnison <br />River confluence. A similar program is underway on the Gunnison River where a fish passage structure at <br />the Redlands Diversion Dam was completed in the spring of 1996. <br />This document presents alternatives to establish fish passage at the GVIC diversion. Its purpose is <br />to provide key' project participants with an opportunity to provide input to the GVIC fish passage structure <br />design process. The objectives of this document are to present an overall view of potential solutions to <br />endangered fish passage at the GVIC structure and stimulate input from the various participants for the <br />selection of an alternative. By distributing this report at this stage, interested parties have an opportunity to <br />respond to the presented alternatives and address key issues such as: the compatibility of the alternatives <br />with Orchard Mesa Irrigation District (OMID) and GVIC operations, biological factors that may make one <br />alternate preferable to another, ideas for modifications to a proposed alternative, and evaluation of the pros <br />and cons of each alternate from the perspective of the various project participants. The analysis of these <br />issues will lead to a selection of one of the presented alternatives. <br />The overall objective of the work being conducted by FLO Engineering, Inc. under contract to the <br />United States Bureau of Reclamation is to evaluate alternatives to modify the GVIC diversion dam to allow <br />for passage of Colorado River fish species. The final product of the work effort will .include the conceptual <br />design of the selected alternative; development of basic design information to support the final design process, <br />including hydraulics, hydrology, and mapping; and, recommendations to assist in the development of the f+nal <br />design. The final design and permitting phase are scheduled for completion by May 1997 with intent of <br />awarding a construction contract by August 1997. <br />1 <br />