7425

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7425
• Author: Vandas, S. e. a.
• Title: Dolores River Instream Flow Assessment
• USFW Year: 1990.
• USFW - Doc Type: Project Report.
• Copyright Material: NO

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
COLORADO STATE OFFICE
2850 YOUNG FIELD STREET
LAKEWOOD, COLORADO 80215-7076

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United States Department of the Interior

CO-933
7250

Dear Reader:

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for the management of lands
adjacent to the Dolores River in southwestern Colorado. Many of the resource
values associated with the management of the riverine ecosystem are dependent
on water flow, including outdoor recreation (fishing, rafting, kayaking), and
aquatic and riparian habitat. Since the completion of McPhee Dam and
Reservoir, the availability and amount of water flowing below the reservoir
have changed. The enclosed "Dolores River Instream Flow Assessment" was
prepared to evaluate flow requirements necessary to support a full range of
important resource values, to identify current flow conditions, and to
describe water management options to attain needed flows.

The report was initiated by the Colorado state Office for use by the Montrose
District Office. It was prepared by an interdisciplinary team, consisting of
professionals specializing in hydrology, geomorphology, hydrogeology, riparian
ecology, fisheries biology, water rights, and recreation managem~t.
Technical assistance and/or external review were provided by the BLM Service
center, University of Colorado at Boulder, Oregon State University, the
National Park Service, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the State of Colorado
(Division of Wildlife and State Engineer's Office).

The report is not a decision document. Rather, it is designed to provide the
basic information necessary to outline BLM's management options for the
Dolores River from Bradfield Bridge to Bedrock. Any BLM actions that may
follow will be pursued in consultation and cooperation with local interests
including water interests (such as agricultural users) through appropriate
state processes. As the first such report in Colorado, it provides an example
for preparing future instream flow assessments for BLM managed river systems.

We appreciate your interest and review of the report. Please contact
Scott F. Archer or Dale Brubaker of my staff by telephone at [phone] if
you have any questions regarding the report.

Sincerely,

\3~\Moew:-

H. Robert Moore
State Director

Enclosure