BOARD01957

• Board Meeting Date: 3/21/2006
• Description: CF Section - Fish and Wildlife Resources Fund - Colorado River Water Conservation District - Elkhead Reservoir Mitigation Plan Grant Request
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

Creek to the confluence with the Green River. Elkhead Reservoir is located northeast of the City of
Craig in Moffat and Routt Counties on Elkhead Creek. The proposed enlargement of Elk head Reservoir
could, depending on hydrologic cycles, provide the water and water rights necessary to meet the 5,000
acre-feet of "pennanent water" and 2,000 acre-feet of "temporary water" identified by the Recovery
Program as necessary to help maintain critical habitat in the Y amp a River. Once the water right is
decreed absolute, the District is willing to convey to the CWCB the necessary water, water rights and/or
interests in water, as described in the CWCB Elkhead Acquisition Agreement. This will provide the
5,000 acre-feet of "permanent water" and the 2,000 acre-feet of "temporary water", necessary to
augment the natural hydro graph and help maintain the endangered fish critical habitat. The USFWS has
agreed that any acquisition of water for the benefit ofthe endangered fish shall be considered in
determining whether there has been sufficient progress for the Recovery Program. If sufficient progress
is determined to have been made, the Recovery Program will continue as a reasonable and prudent
alternative to avoid potential jeopardy opinions regarding existing and new water developments.

Proiect Impacts and Mitil!ation
The enlargement ofElkhead Reservoir will increase the storage volume ofthe reservoir by 11,750 acre-
feet and also increase the surface area of the reservoir from 435 acres to 720 acres. This increase in
surface area will inundate approximately 37 acres of existing jurisdictional wetlands. The project will
mitigate the inundation of the existing 37 acres of wetlands by creating 37.8 acres of new wetlands in 4
different locations around the reservoir. The existing lake provides significant waterfowl habitat
although it does not currently contain any waterfowl-nesting habitat. One ofthe four new wetland areas
has been designed specifically to provide for waterfowl-nesting habitat.

E1khead Reservoir currently supports reproducing populations of non-native game fish. These non-
native game fish include black crappie, northern pike and small mouth bass. CDOW is currently in the
process of developing a lake management plan, which will address a management strategy for these non-
native fish species. One concern ofthe Recovery Program Participants is escapement of non-native
fishes and their possible detrimental effects on the native fish. The enlarged Elkhead Reservoir design
incorporates the Recovery Program's strategy for non-native fish containment. The U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers and the USFWS have also approved this stratcgy.

Mitil!ation Plan Recommendation
The CD OW and Commission, as per C.R.S. 37-60-122.2, have reviewed the District's proposed
Mitigation Plan. The CDOW and Commission agree that the proposed E1khead Reservoir Enlargement
Mitigation Plan will:

. Mitigate the loss of37 acres of existing wetlands by creating 37.8 acres of new wetlands
including waterfowl nesting areas;
· Assist in preventing the escapement of non-native fish by screening the outlet works including
automatic air backwashing systems; and,
· Provide 5,000 acre-feet of "permanent water" and 2,000 acre-feet of "temporary water" which
will augment the natural hydrograph and help maintain the endangered fish critical habitat.

Sincerely,

B~~?j

Director

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