BOARD00834

• Board Meeting Date: 11/23/1998
• Description: WSP Section - Colorado River Basin Issues - Division 5 Water Availability ‎(Facility Coordination)‎ Study for Endangered Fish - Status Report
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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STATE OF COLORI\DO

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Colorado Water Conservation Board
Department of Natural Resources
721 Centennial Building
1313 Sherman Street
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

MEMORANDUM

TO:
FROM:

CWCB Board Members
Randy Seaholm
Sue Uppendahl S~
November 13, 1998
Agenda Item 17n, November 23-24, 1998 Board Meeting -- Division 5
Water Availability (Facility Coordination) Study for Endangered Fish-
Status report

DATE:
SUBJECT:

I. Introduction

In 1994, the Coordinated Reservoir Operations Study (CRGS) was proposed by the
Water Acquisition Committee of the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery
Program (Recovery Program). The objectives were identification and evaluation of
potential opportunities to coordinate operations of and releases from various reservoirs to
enhance habitat in the 15-mile reach of the Colorado River for the benefit of the
endangered fish through enhancement of spring peak flows, which are important to
spawning and improvement of aquatic food sources, The initial study began in March
1995 with the establishment of a core study team representing large reservoir
owner/operators and major water management entities in the basin, and provided the
following:

. Participation was voluntary
. Participation was not to diminish project yields
. Analysis of potential operational alternatives was limited primarily to the bypass
of inflow during the Spring peak
. Identification of constraints
. Listing of issues to be addressed by the Recovery Implementation Program (RIP)
. A process for coordination of reservoir operations to enhance flows in the 15-mile
reach during the Spring peak

Major reservoirs with potential for coordination were identified and a iist of parameters
influencing their operations was assembled. Characteristic years were identified in the
period of 1984 to 1994. It was found that during dry years, reservoirs would be operating
strictly to meet existing demands and would have little, if any, discretionary water
available.

Ro}' Romer
Governor
James S. Lochheild
Executive Director, DNR
DariesC. Ulc, P.E.
Direaor, eWeB
Peter H. Evans
Acting Director, eWeB