BOARD00034

• Board Meeting Date: 5/23/2005
• Description: CWCB Director's Report
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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divided into 8 reaches_ These reaches have been identified by, gradient, sinuosity, chemical .
parameters (e.g. salts) vegetative characteristics and potential limiting factors to natural stream
channel movement and formation. In order to manage the science tasks, the river has been
broken into two main focal areas. McPhee Dam downstream to Slickrock Bridge and Slickrock
Bridge to the confluence with the Colorado River.

Currently the core science team has completed or plans to complete the following tasks by end of
summer 2005;

. Completion of the Core Science Report, which summarizes our current understanding of
the study area, based on historic data and current literature reviews.
. Photo point study of key areas along the study area (pre and post spill).
. Cross section studies at various locations along the study area.
. Summary of warm water fisheries survey for summer 2005.
. Summary of cold water fisheries survey for summer 2005.
. Completion of high definition aerial videography (pre and post spill).
. G.I.S. mapping of high definition aerial videography
. Water quality study (e.g. salinity).
. Sediment study (pre and post spill).
. Survey of high water (i.e. monument high water at a known Q) along key wann water
fisheries habitats.
. Participated on the spill committee in order to recommend flows suitable for needs .
primarily related to geomorphology and riparian ecology.

Future studies may include addressing the flowing questions;
1. Can we identify "Key" habitat areas along the lower Dolores River that are critical
reproductive areas for the round tail chub? '
2. Howplosely can recreationafboating be tied to "spiUmanagemen(usefuffor-sedlment
transport and reducing the "changes in channel dimensions, including narrowing and
reduced depth" of the main channel?
3. Can the removal of tamarisk along "Key" habitat areas reduce soil salinity and reduce the
amount of sediment being trapped along the banks and, therefore, during times of low
flows reduce channel narrowing and reduced depth of the main channel, thus improving
wann water fisheries habitat?

If you would like additional information on this project, please contact Philip Saletta, General
Manager, Dolores Water Conservancy Dismct, 60 S. Cactus St., P.O. Box 1150, Cortez, CO
81321; ph. 970-565-7562; or via e-mail [e-mail].

Dolores Proj ect Operations: Dan Merriman and Randy Seaholm met with representatives for the
Dolores Project, Reclamation and Division of Wildlife to discuss releases from the Fishery Pool in
McPhee Reservoir. During April, larger than normal releases were made from McPhee to support fishery
research. In addition, the recent quantification of releases for downstream senior water were discussed
and resulting impact that quantification could have on the downstream fishery.

Stream and Lake Protection Section - Yellowj acket Canyon Creek Fieldtrip: On April 21, a fieldtrip
of the Yellowjacket Canyon Creek through the Monument of the Ancients National Monument was heid_
Representatives from the Dolores Water Conservancy District, BLM, Water Division 4 field office,

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