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4W by Kristen M. White Mail Staff Writer CANON CITY — Partici- pants in a panel discussion at 'C! the Upper Arkansas Water- shed Council Thursday agreed a recreational in- channel diversion water right would not benefit Chaffee County., Council members met for their fourth quarter meeting, during which they discussed the Bureau of Reclamation voluntary flow program on v the Arkansas River. Much of the discussion cen- tered upon an proposed in Chaffee Cou'niy by the Arkansas River Trust to file for a recreational in- channel diversion right for water use in the river parks. An in- channel diversion can be awarded if there -is a "structure," such as the kayak play holes in the river park in Salida. Proponents of the diversion right say it could help protect the community's financial investment in the river park and economics in the county Panelists Thursday said they believe the voluntary now program already protects water flows on the Arkansas River better than an in -chan- nel diversion would. "It doesn't make water," Tom Simpson from the City of Aurora said. "The difference with the flow program is it actually adds -water to the river." The flow program began in 1990 and has-been renewed each year, The Bureau of Reclamation and other agen- cies agree to supplement, if necessary, flows on the Arkansas .River. From July 1 to Aug. 15, the river flow is supplemented to maintain a flow of 700 cubic feet per second. However, only 10,000 acre feet of water are promised per year, so depending on flow in the river, 700 cfs is not always available through Aug. 15. Throughout the rest of the year, if needed, the river is supplemented to maintain a flow of 250 cfs, mainly to maintain fisheries. Tony Keenan, president of the Arkansas River Outfitters Re'dreat i oh a I I I bw M a'' District said although the pro- gram is called voluntary, ,"in Contlnu ®d from page 1 managed" and mu t tin ' k 14 0 0 reality, it's not:' O Broderick said agencies have agreed for more than a -' decade. and panelists' seemed to agree the program will Mn-' b tinue to be renewed. Terry Scanga, director of b the Upper Arkansas Water '~ Conservancy District, said the Arkansas River is "highly s eon ue to be to meet all the needs it serves. `Tie: RICD I . see as an impediment to continued management of the river," he said Keenan pointed" out the Arkansas River' Outfitters Association is not the i ' ga- tes of the diversion ''right idea, but• §aid the Chaffee County Commissioners are consider - ing. it. Me. law firm for the City of Golden that successfully got the RICD is going around the drainages pedaling this as a one =size -fits -all product, and they've_ got Chaffee County's ear,right now," Keenan said. "I personally don't think this is a good fit for this river at all, because of the flaw pro - gram and ... of the mutual cooperation and respect. we have here that doesn't go on with other rivers." Association, said the group would like to see the flow pro- gram "mature. "Every year we try to proj- ect when (the water) is going to run out," he said. "The out- fitters are always wondering if we're going to make it to Aug. 15! Others in attendance at the meeting questioned use of the word "voluntary," and said it lends some concern the pro- gram might not he renewed. Jim Broderick of the South Eastern Water Conservancy See RECREATIONAL, back page Recreational water right may not be a benefit