7901

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7901
• Author: Upper Colorado River Commission.
• Title: Forty-Seventh Annual Report of the Upper Colorado River Commission.
• USFW Year: 1995.
• USFW - Doc Type: Salt Lake City, Utah.
• Copyright Material: NO

Assistance to the States Program and continues to coordinate with other
natural resource agencies on critical water resource related problems and
issues. Continuing this year is a program (Investigation of Existing Projects)
for evaluating system optimization on some existing projects, with several
projects scheduled for evaluation. Under the General Planning Studies
account, Reclamation has some funding to participate in special studies
requested by other natoral resource agencies.

1. Colorado

a. Upper Gunnison-Uncompahgre Basin Study

In cooperation with the Colorado Department of Natural Resources and
the Colorado River Water Conservation District (CRWCDl. Reclamation devel-
oped a detailed hydrologic model and accounting system for the Gunnison
River Basin.

These products will be used by Federal. State and local entities to resolve
Federal reserved water rights, Colorado River endangered fish species and
other issues relating to Aspinall Unit operations. Technical work is being
accomplished by Reclamation's Grand Junction Area Office and Reclamation
Service Center in Colorado and Hydrosphere Resources Inc., under contract
with the CRWCD. The final report was delayed due to problems with
development of the software and is now scheduled for spring of 1996.

b. Dolores River Water Quality Study

This study was initiated in fiscal year 1992 to identify the source of
mercury causing elevated levels in the fish from McPhee, Narraguinnep and
Totten Reservoirs. An intense, Basin-wide water quality sampling program
was conducted, and several sources of heavy metals pollution were identi-
fied, most of which were associated with historic mining activities near the
town of Rico. No point source of mercury contamination was found. The
final report was completed in 1995, and copies are available from the
Western Colorado Area Office - Southern Division.

c. Yampa River Water Supply Study

Reclamation began its participation in this study in fiscal year 1 994.
Other participants include the Colorado Water Conservation Board, the
CRWCD, the City of Craig and the Colorado River Recovery Implementation
Program. The purpose of the study is to conduct a feasibility-level investi-
gation of the possible rehabilitation, enlargement and reoperation of Elkhead
Creek Reservoir for the purposes of endangered species habitat enhancement
and M&I water supplies for Yampa River Basin water users. The study will
be completed in fiscal year 1996.

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