9393

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9393
• Author: Crist, L. and R. Williams.
• Title: Five Year Flaming Gorge Research Program FY 1995.
• USFW Year: 1994.
• USFW - Doc Type: 32-41, Fg-I,
• Copyright Material: NO

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As indicated in the 1988 guiding document for the Recovery Implementation Program
(RIP) for Endangered Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin, reoperation of
major impoundments of the Colorado River Storage Project far protection and recovery
of endangered fishes is a high priority; reoperation is necessary to offset- depletion
impacts contributing to endangerment of humpback chub (Gila cypha), bonytail {G.
elegans), Colorado squawfish (Ptychocheilus luclus), and razorback sucker (Xyrauchen
texanus). Flaming Gorge Dam (FGD) on the Green River, Wayne Aspinal Unit on the
Gunnison River, and Ruedi Dam on the Colorado River were specifically identified in the
RIP guiding document as those impoundments that, through Section 7 consultation,
were to offset depletion impacts to the maximum extent- possible. Additionally, these
impoundments, where possible, were to provide recovery flows for endangered fishes
in major rivers (Green and Colorado rivers) and tributaries of the Upper Colorado River
System.
Closure of FGD in 1962 caused significant alterations in magnitude and timing of Green
River flows, resu{ting in modification of fish habitat in the system. In 1980, the U.S.
Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) entered into Section 7 consultation with the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) on the operation of FGD. Studies conducted from
1978-1991 culminated in preparation of a Biological Opinion by the Service on
operation of FGD for Reclamation and the Western Area Power Administration (VIIAPA).
Central to the issuance of the November 1992 Biological Opinion was development of
seasonal flow recommendations for operation of FGD based on best available
information and the professional judgement of researchers who had collected and
analyzed much of the data. The intent of the Biological Opinion was to recommend
flows that would restore the natural hydrograph to the maximum extent possible and
provide a flow regime that would allow for enhancement and recovery of endangered
and other native fishes from the Green-Yampa River confluence to Lake Powell.
However, because of data limitations, the Biological Opinion provided only partial
recommendations by season for the reach of the Green River from FGD to Jensen,
Utah. Flow recommendations for the spring, summer/fall, and winter periods were made
using information presented in the Consolidated Biology and Hydrology Report prepared
by the Service; specific flow recommendations are presented in part 2.0 of document
Section 2.
The Biological Opinion concluded that "historic" procedures (prior to 1992) for operation
of FGD jeopardized the continued existence of endangered fishes in the Green River.
A Reasonable and Prudent Alternative was provided to avoid jeopardy, and it is
incumbent upon Reclamation, WAPA, and the R1P to ensure that all elements of the
Biological Opinion are met. The Five Year Flaming Gorge Research Program described
in part 3.0 of document Section 2 is designed to fulfill the requirements and intent of the
Reasonable and Prudent Alternative which included the following elements.
1. Change operation of FGD so that Green River flow and temperature regimes
would more closely resemble historic natural conditions. Under this element,
seasonal flow recommendations were established in an attempt to enhance the status
of endangered and other native fishes in the Green River system downstream of FGD.
Flow recommendations for spring, summer/fall, and winter periods were based on
information presented in the Consolidated Biology and Hydrology Report.
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