9679

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9679
• Author: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Title: Final Biological Opinion on the Operation of Flaming Gorge Dam.
• USFW Year: 1992.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

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The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucoceohalus), peregrine falcon (Falco
peregrinus), and Ute ladies'-tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis) also are
addressed in this biological opinion.
BIOL09ICAL OPINION
Based upon the best scientific and commercial information currently available,
it is the Service's biological opinion that the continued operation of Flaming
Gorge Dam, as described below, is likely to jeopardize the continued existence
of the endangered Colorado squawfish (Ptvchocheilus Lucius), humpback chub
(Gila cvaha), bonytail chub (Gila el ans), and razorback sucker (Xyrauchen
texanus) by appreciably reducing the likelihood of both the survival and
recovery of these species in the wild by further reducing their numbers,
reproduction, or distribution.
Elements of a reasonable and prudent alternative, that in the opinion of the
Service, will avoid the ]ikelihood of jeopardy to the endangered Colorado
River fish are based, in part, on the reoperation of Flaming Gorge Dam and
include:
1. Refinement of the operation of Flaming Gorge Dam so that flow and
temperature regimes of the Green River will more closely resemble
historic conditions.
2. Conduct a 5-year research program including implementation of
winter and spring research flows beginning in 1992 to al]ow for
potential refinement of flows for these seasons. This research
program will be based on the Five-Year Flaming Gorge Flow
Recommendations Investigations which are being conducted by the
Recovery Program (Appendix B). The program provides for annual
meetings to refine seasonal flows based on research findings and
water year forecast. Except for specific research flows during
the 5-year research program, year-round flows in the Green River
will resemble a natural hydrograph described under element 1 of
the reasonable and prudent alternative.
3. Determination of the feasibility and effects of releasing warmer
water during the late spring/summer period and investigation of the
feasibility of retrofitting river bypass tubes to include power
generation thereby facilitating higher spring releases.
4. Legal protection of Green River flows from Flaming Gorge Dam to Lake
Powell.
5. Initiation of discussions with the Service after the conclusion of
the 5-year research program to examine further refinement of flows
for the endangered Colorado River fish.
The Service believes implementation of the reasonable and prudent al~ernat~-ve
will preclude jeopardy to the endangered fish from the continued operation of
Flaming Gorge Dam. Furthermore, it is the Service's biological opinion that