BOARD00443

• Board Meeting Date: 7/23/2001
• Description: ISF Section - New Recommendations in Division 4: Garfield, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Mesa, Montrose and San Miguel Counties
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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SAN MIGUEL COUNTY
B O_ARD OF COMMl S S lONERS
ANNA ZIVIAN VERN EBERT ART GOODTIMES

November I, 2000

RECEIVED
NOIf 00 2000

Colorado Wal~r COllS(3t1iatlon BOard

Mr. Dan McAulliffe, Acting Director
Stream and Lake Protection Section
Colorado Water Conservation Board
1313 Sherman Street, Room 721
Denver, CO 80203

Mr. Dan Merriman, Section Chief
Stream and Lake Protection Section
Colorado Water Conservation Board
1313 Sherman Street, Room 721
Denver, CO 80203

Re: BLM and CDOW Instream Flow Recommendations

It is our understanding that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Colorado Division of
Wildlife (CDOW) will be soon submitting instream flow recommendations to the Colorado Water
Conservation Board (CWCB) in order that flows in the San Miguel River from FaU Creek to
Horsefly Creek be legally protected. As you are most likely aware, this reach of the San Miguel
River presently has no instream flow protection.

The BLM informs us that the flow recommendations are a product of the instream flow assessment
that they have been working on for the past three years. AdditionaUy, BLM advises us that the
recommended flows are presently available in the river and will not impact any existing water
rights from the river.

We feel strongly on this matter because not only will the recommended flows protect the river's
fishery, but these flows will also provide benefits to riparian vegetation and minimize impacts from
river ice formation and ice flows that occur in the river during the winter months. River icing and
subsequent ice surges that commonly occur through the subject reach ofthe San Miguel River in
the winter months are a disturbance to both the fishery and macroinvertebrates and could be
exacerbated by a reduction in river flow.

We support the BLMlCDOW recommendations of:

75 cfs during the month of October to provide suitable conditions for brown trout spawning.

60 cfs for the November 1 to March 31 period to provide suitable winter habitat for aU fish species.
.

85 cfs during the month of April to provide sufficient physical habitat conditions for adult and
juvenile trout.

100 cfs during the month of May as a transition/conditioning period in preparation for spawning by
rainbow trout.

P.o. BOX 1170 · Telluride, Colorado 81435 . [phone] . FAX [phone]