Background Operation of Grand Valley Diversions

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Redlands Diversion Dam Located on the Gunnison River near Grand Junction, Colorado - Redlands Diversion Dam about 2 miles upstream from the confluence of the Gunnison and Colorado Rivers. Since nearly the turn of the century this diversion dam has prohibited upstream fish passage. This 12 -foot high structure diverts 690 cubic feet per second (cfs) of water for power generation purposes and 60 cfs for irrigation. Irrigation water is diverted from April through October and power generation water is diverted year round. Revenues from power generation total about $450,000 annually in 1990 dollars. Irrigation water is supplied to the area of the Grand Valley which lies south and west of the confluence of the Gunnison and Colorado Rivers. The 5,000 acre service area is bounded on the south by the Colorado National Monument. There are about 1,000 shareholders who own 5,650 water shares. The Redlands Project was originally conceived and organized as the Redlands Irrigation and Power Company in 1905. The Company was financed by private investors. The organization filed on the lands under the Desert Entry Act. The first construction work started in 1905 and the first land irrigated in 1907. The need for additional working capital necessitated bringing in outside investors and the Company was reorganized as the Redlands Company in 1912. The Company operated under this name until 1925 when ownership was turned over to the shareholders and reorganized as a non - profit, shareholder -owned organization directed by a seven person Board of Directors. The name of the Company was changed to its current title of Redlands Water and Power Company. Water Rights Associated with Redlands Canal Decreed Use Amount Appro. date Adjud. date Irrigation 60 7 -31 -1905 7 -22 -1912 Power 610 7 -31 -1905 7 -22 -1912 Power 80 6 -26 -1941 7 -21 -1959 In 1982 when Redlands was going through a major up -grade of the dam, canal and _ generating plant, an agreement was reached with the Federal Regulatory Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to enter into negotiations should fish passage be desired at the Redlands Diversion Dam. A Redlands Dam Fishway Feasibility Study was completed by the US Army Corps of Engineers for the Fish and Wildlife Service in December 1986. This study evaluated several different fish ladder configurations which would permit passage, allow for the evaluation of passage parameters, and allow for monitoring fish passage. The total cost of the recommended structure was $783,000. It is proposed to proceed with the modification of the existing structure to provide a fish ladder. Fiscal year 1993 funds would be used to complete planning efforts and begin design. The Corps 1986 design would be reviewed to determine if new information regarding fish passage for the Colorado River endangered species would change the 1986 design. Planning, NEPA compliance, design, operation and maintenance contract negotiation, and construction bring the total project cost to $1 to 1.2 million dollars in 1992 costs. 01