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

Coordinated Facilities Water Availability Study

In 1998, the 15 Mile Reach Workgroup in consultation with the CROS core study team
determined it would be useful to hire a consultant to conduct a Water Availability Study
to expand and further define opportunities to coordinate facility operations. The major
purposes of this study are:

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. Expand the number and types of facilities and operations considered
. Continued enhancement of peak flows in the IS-mile reach
. Identify impediments to delivery of the higher peak flows
. Defining solutions for any impediments to the delivery of the higher peaks
. Identify secondary to options for providing flow enhancements during the late
summer/early fall (July 15th - October 31st) for the benefit of the endangered fish
. Assessment of any legal, physical, institutional, environmental, recreational,
operational, or political constraints as well as the risk of adversely impacting water'
yield of implementing each option.

Study Tasks

The study will involve four broad areas of review: 1) Temporary use of capacity within
existing storage/diversion facilities, 2) the ability to operate power facilities differently
for the benefit of the fish, 3) enlargement of existing facilities or construction of new
facilities, 4) purchase of existing storage facilities. The "Volume Goal" for the study has
been previously set at developing an additional 20,000 acre-feet of yield on an average
annual basis that can be used to benefit the endangered fish.

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The consultant will also analyze options for constructing new off-mainstem storage or
enlarging existing reservoirs in Water Division 5 to provide all or a portion of the
Volume Goal. The analysis will include pre-feasibility costs, identification of
environmental issues, and a determination of whether or not the scenario can be
implemented. This study will be overseen by an Executive Committee consisting of
representatives from the CWCB, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, and water user representatives (1 east slope, I west slope and I environmental).

Cost and Schedule

The estimated cost for this study is $200,000 for Year 1. It is anticipated that the study
will require two years. The goal for this study is to begin in January I 999, and the
analysis completed by October 2000.

Project Status

A request for Statements of Qualifications was advertised in the Denver Post on October
4, and 11, 1998. Nine Statements of Qualifications were received, and are currently being
reviewed by the Executive Committee. The Committee will meet on November 30, 1998
to select the top 3 firms for interviewing.

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L:boardmemo/nov98Ibrdmemo/crosbdmeo.doc

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