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<br />38 <br /> <br />historic Blue Mesa operations. <br /> <br />8. The annual frequency with which the minimum target for Blue Mesa <br /> <br />storage content is met drops from 78% under historic operations to 59% <br /> <br />when the minimum stream criteria for Blue Mesa storage releases is <br /> <br />increased from 200 cfs to 300 cfs in the 29-mile reach, and when Westwater <br /> <br />endangered fish criteria and M&I supplies are assumed. <Compare Scenarios <br /> <br />1 and 3.) Adding a 600 cfs MinimUM flow criteria for the 29-Mile reach <br /> <br />durirlg the bC1ating seasorl drclps the mirdrnurn target frequerlcy to 53~ (See <br /> <br />Scenarios 5 and 6.) Asserting direct flow priorities for instream flow <br /> <br />purposes does not change the frequerlcy with which the minimum target is <br /> <br />met. (Compare Scenarios 3 and 4, and Scenarios 5 and 6.) Increasing the <br /> <br />capacity of the Gunnison Tunnel to 1300 cfs has the most severe impact on <br /> <br />whether the minimum target is made, dropping the frequency to 41%. <br /> <br />The minimum storage target, which occurs in March of each year, <br /> <br />drives Blue Mesa storage contents down in anticipation of the upcoming <br /> <br />runoff, and 'may override any changes in Blue Mesa operations up to that <br /> <br />time of the year. A change in the frequency with which the minimum <br /> <br />storage target is met is a rough indicator of the degree to which the <br /> <br />effects of operational changes are cascading from one year to the next. <br /> <br />9. The frequency with which Blue Mesa fills is also noted in the scenario <br /> <br /> <br />comparison, but is less interesting than the frequency with which the <br /> <br /> <br />minimurn target is met. The more relevant inquiry is the degree to which <br /> <br />WBLA, Inc. 1909 Broadway, #3, Boulder, Colorado 80302 <br />