Agenda Item 14: 2003 Gunnison River New Appropriation Recommendation

• Description: Gunnison River
• State: CO
• Basin: Gunnison
• Water Division: 4
• Date: 5/5/2003
• Author: Dan Merriman, Randy Seaholm, Mark Uppendahl, Greg Espergren
• Title: Agenda Item 14: 2003 Gunnison River New Appropriation Recommendation
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Board Memo

-2-
TECHNICAL INVESTIGATIONS
The executive summary report of technical data, contained in the Instream Flow Recommendation
Packet, forms the basis for the staffs recommendations.
Natural Environment Studies
The Department of the Interior (DI) has conducted field surveys of the natural environment
resources on this reach of stream and has found a natural environment that can be preserved. To
quantify the resources and to evaluate the instream flow requirements, the DI collected biologic and
hydraulic data that were analyzed by the CWCB staff. Based on the results of these analyses, the
CWCB staff, working with the DI, prepared a recommendation of the amount of water necessary to
preserve the natural environment to a reasonable degree for this reach of stream.
Water Availability Studies
The DI and CWCB conducted an evaluation of water availability for the Gunnison River. To
determine the amount of water physically available for the Board's appropriations, the staff analyzed
available USGS gage records, available streamflow models, and the operation of the Aspinall Unit,
and/or utilized appropriate standard methods to determine the amount of water available for the
Gunnison River flow recommendation. Based upon its analysis, the staff has determined that water
is available for appropriation on the Gunnison River to preserve the natural environment to a
reasonable degree without limiting or foreclosing the exercise of valid existing rights.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
For the proposed Gunnison River instream flow appropriation, staff recommends that the Board:
1) Modify the schedule set forth in Rule 5.20, to the schedule set forth in the attached "Proposed
Schedule for the CWCB Appropriation of Gunnison ISF" and affirm that Rules 5.51 — 5.56
(Procedural Rules for Contested ISF Appropriations) shall apply, with all deadlines changed
as set forth in the modified schedule;
2) Declare its intent to appropriate the Gunnison River ISF water right; and
3) Direct the Staff to publicly notice the Board's declaration of its intent to appropriate and mail
a copy of the Notice, within five working days, to the County Commissioners of Montrose
and Delta counties, pursuant to Rule 5.21.
May_2003_Agenda_Item_14_v3.doc
Flood Protection • Water Project Planning and Financing • Stream and Lake Protection
Water Supply Protection • Conservation Planning