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Agenda Item 20j <br /> September 21-22, 1998 Board Meeting <br /> Ruedi Reservoir Contracts <br /> Page 2 of 2 <br /> • <br /> participants in the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program. It is <br /> anticipated this should occur by September 18, 1998. Board staff will review the revised <br /> draft opinion and comment as appropriate. <br /> Contract to Lease Unsold Ruedi Water to Endangered Fish <br /> Reclamation provided a one-year contract allowing the delivery of 21,650 AF of unsold <br /> Ruedi water to the 15-Mile Reach for endangered fish purposes. This contract was the <br /> same as previous one-year contracts except for date changes and the addition of language <br /> providing for the repayment of O&M costs by the Recovery Program. The agreement <br /> has been signed by the Board and sent to the Service for signature were it is pending <br /> approval. <br /> Ruedi Operations <br /> As the Board is aware, guides, outfitters and other interested parties along the Fryingpan <br /> become very upset when Ruedi releases exceed 250 cfs at this time of year. Attached is <br /> the relevant language from the annual contract they believe should prevent such from <br /> occurring. However, on two occasions this fall Ruedi releases have exceeded 250 cfs. <br /> On August 19, 1998 Reclamation observed new seepage from Ruedi Dam that resulted in <br /> the Bureau taking emergency actions to low the reservoir by releasing 500 cfs into the <br /> • <br /> Fryingpan River for several days until it was determined that the seepage was not a <br /> serious problem. Releases were returned to 250 cfs on August 25th. The Bureau <br /> continues to monitor the seepage. <br /> On September 9, 1998 Reclamation again increased releases from Ruedi into the <br /> Fryingpan River this time for endangered fish purposes. Releases reached 350 cfs on <br /> September 11. Subsequently, on September 12, Reclamation and the Colorado River <br /> Water Conservation District reached agreement to increase Wolford Mountain Reservoir <br /> releases and Ruedi releases were lowered to 300 cfs. The water for endangered fish was <br /> from the first 10,000 AF of water provided pursuant to the Ruedi Round I Sales <br /> Biological Opinion. No releases from the 21,650 AF contract have been provided as of <br /> this date. <br /> Attachments: <br /> • <br />