10825 Water Supply Alternative Summary Phase 2 Assessment January 2008 Draft

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significantly improve aquatic conditions. Tens of cfs of water can make a substantial difference in this narrow segment of the Colorado River headwater. k) The release of 10825 Water from Williams Fork, Wolford Mountain, or Green Mountain reservoirs will not markedly improve aquatic conditions of the upper Colorado River. The use of these reservoirs has less affect on the upper Colorado River than we initially anticipated. The release of Recovery Program water will either have no significant impact, or a negative impact to aquatic life and recreation. Because the channel of the Colorado River below the confluence with the Blue River is large, and because stream flow is naturally greater at this downstream location, the release of 10825 Water does not substantially alter aquatic conditions in this reach of the river. 1) The viability of Granby Reservoir as a source of 10825 Water is not known at this time. 6.4 FRYINGPAN RIVER / RUEDI RESERVOIR m) Recovery Program releases from Ruedi Reservoir will degrade aquatic conditions and recreation use of the Fryingpan River. The relative magnitude of the adverse impact will vary depending upon the amount of 10825 Water, the specific release schedule, and natural hydrologic conditions that vary a lot between dry and wet years. n) The economic benefits associated with sport fishing on the Fryingpan River are substantial. A perception may exist that any impact to the Fryingpan River will be unacceptable from aquatic conditions, recreation and economic perspectives. However, if a portion or even all of the 10825 Water is supplied from Ruedi Reservoir, the Fryingpan River below the reservoir will remain a very productive fishery with significant economic benefits. o) If all Recovery Program releases from Ruedi Reservoir, including "5 & 5" and 10825 Water, can be spread out over the July to October period (i.e. potentially make the Green Mountain Reservoir surplus declaration earlier), any adverse impacts to the Fryingpan River will be reduced. p) In the near -term, impacts associated with 10825 Water releases from Ruedi Reservoir would be similar to the existing impacts associated with the release of the "2012 Recovery Program Water ". The largest change in stream flow of the Fryingpan River, and the largest impacts to aquatic conditions and recreation, will occur at some point in the future as the West Slope demand for contracted water from Ruedi Reservoir increases. As contract releases increase in the future, the incremental impact of 10825 Water releases from Ruedi Reservoir will be more significant. q) The release of 10825 Water from Ruedi Reservoir will not substantially affect aquatic conditions or recreation of the Roaring Fork River below Basalt. Because the channel of the Roaring Fork River below the confluence with the Fryingpan River is large, and because 10325 t,Nater Supply Study Phase 2 Alternatives Assessment January 2008 Draft 10