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• REDLANDS DAM FISHWAY FEASIBILITY STUDY <br />I. PURPOSE AND AUTHORIZATION. <br />A. Purpose, <br />The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate a number <br />of possible fish passage concepts at the existing Redlands Diversion Dam <br />on the Gunnison River near Grand Junction, Colorado. Each initial con- <br />cept will be evaluated according to the available criteria for passage of <br />Colorado squawfish and razorback sucker. From the initial concepts, four <br />alternates were selected for' a more detailed study. Best available <br />biological and technical criteria were used to evaluate the final <br />alternatives. <br />6. Authorization. <br />This study is authorized by the U.S. Department of the Interior, <br />Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), under the Endangered Species Act of <br />1973. <br />II. SITE DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION. <br />A. Description of Redlands Diversion Dam. <br />Redlands Diversion Dam is located on the Gunnison River approx- <br />imately 2 miles upstream from the confluence with the Colorado River (see <br />Plate 1). The Redlands Water and Power Company (RWPC) constructed the <br />diversion dam in 1918 and has since modernized and upgraded the dam. The <br />concrete buttress dam is 8.5 feet high and consists of a 312-foot-long <br />spillway with a 6-foot-wide crest and two 10-foot-wide by 6-foot-high <br />sluice gates. A flow of 750 cfs (primary water right) is diverted <br />through four 14-foot-wide headgates on the left abutment into the power <br />canal. This flow is conveyed downstream for irrigation water and hydro- <br />electric power generation. The city of Grand Junction has a secondary <br />water right of 120 cfs that can be diverted through a structure on the <br />right abutment. <br />B. Present Operation of Diversion Dam. <br />1. Flow is diverted in <br />irrigation season lasts about 6 <br />During the remainder of the year, <br />• generation of hydroelectric power. <br />maintain the 750-cfs flow into the <br />to the power canal year-round, The <br />months from April 15 to October 15. <br />the power canal is operated solely for <br />RWPC operates the diversion dam to <br />power canal. An approximate upstream <br />1 <br />