Draft Environmental Assesment and Finding of No Significant Impact Gunnision River Activities February 1995

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Table 5 Comparison of River Administration Occurrences 2 Based on the 22 -year period of study as shown in Attachment E. In summary, the interim contract as described in Alternatives A and B should not significantly affect water supplies available for water users, nor should it significantly affect Blue Mesa Reservoir operations. Language in the water agreement will be designed to protect water supplies in cases of extreme drought such as occurred in 1977. Under Alternative C the possibility of "calls" on the river affecting junior water users would increase. Fish and Wildlife Existing Conditions The primary fish and wildlife resources associated with this proposal are found in the Gunnison River itself and with the riparian and agricultural lands along the river. Reservoirs of the Aspinall Unit support cold water fisheries of kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, and brown trout. Downstream from the reservoirs, portions of the river support a self - sustaining Gold Medal fishery of rainbow and brown trout. In the vicinity of the Redlands Diversion Dam, the river is warmer and more turbid and supports a limited sport fishery. There are 15 species of non- native fish and 6 species of native fish in the river above the Redlands Diversion Dam. In terms of total fish numbers, 75 percent of the fish upstream are native which is considered an unusually high percentage (Fish and Wildlife Service, 1994a). Downstream from the diversion dam, occasional low flow periods reduce the quality of the habitat for fish. There is movement of fish from the Colorado River into this lower reach of the Gunnison River. 20 Number of Months River Percentage of Months River Alternative Administration Occurs ' Administration Occurs ' No Action January - December 13 5% July - October 3 3% A and B January - December 12 5% July - October 4 5% C January - December 23 9% July - October 13 15% 2 Based on the 22 -year period of study as shown in Attachment E. In summary, the interim contract as described in Alternatives A and B should not significantly affect water supplies available for water users, nor should it significantly affect Blue Mesa Reservoir operations. Language in the water agreement will be designed to protect water supplies in cases of extreme drought such as occurred in 1977. Under Alternative C the possibility of "calls" on the river affecting junior water users would increase. Fish and Wildlife Existing Conditions The primary fish and wildlife resources associated with this proposal are found in the Gunnison River itself and with the riparian and agricultural lands along the river. Reservoirs of the Aspinall Unit support cold water fisheries of kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, and brown trout. Downstream from the reservoirs, portions of the river support a self - sustaining Gold Medal fishery of rainbow and brown trout. In the vicinity of the Redlands Diversion Dam, the river is warmer and more turbid and supports a limited sport fishery. There are 15 species of non- native fish and 6 species of native fish in the river above the Redlands Diversion Dam. In terms of total fish numbers, 75 percent of the fish upstream are native which is considered an unusually high percentage (Fish and Wildlife Service, 1994a). Downstream from the diversion dam, occasional low flow periods reduce the quality of the habitat for fish. There is movement of fish from the Colorado River into this lower reach of the Gunnison River. 20