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<br />Agenda Item 20j <br />September 2] .22, 1998 Board Meeting <br />Ruedi Reservoir Contracts <br />Page 2 of2 <br /> <br />participants in the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program. It is <br />anticipated this should occur by September 18, 1998. Board staff will review the revised <br />draft opinion and comment as appropriate. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />Contract to Lease Unsold Ruedi Water to Endangered Fish <br /> <br />Reclamation provided a one-year contract allowing the delivery of21,650 AF of unsold <br />Ruedi water to the IS-Mile Reach for endangered fish purposes. This contract was the <br />same as previous one-year contracts except for date changes and the addition of language <br />providing for the repayment of O&M costs by the Recovery Program. The agreement <br />has been signed by the Board and sent to the Service for signature were it is pending <br />approval. <br /> <br />Ruedi Operations <br /> <br />As the Board is aware, guides, outfitters and other interested parties along the Fryingpan <br />become very upset when Ruedi releases exceed 250 cfs at this time of year. Attached is <br />the relevant language from the annual contract they believe should prevent such from <br />occurring. However, on two occasions this fall Ruedi releases have exceeded 250 cfs. <br /> <br />On August 19, 1998 Reclamation observed new seepage from Ruedi Dam that resulted in <br />the Bureau taking emergency actions to low the reservoir by releasing 500 cfs into the <br />Fryingpan River for several days until it was determined that the seepage was not a <br />serious problem. Releases were returned to 250 cfs on August 25th. The Bureau <br />continues to monitor the seepage. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />On September 9, 1998 Reclamation again increased releases from Ruedi into the <br />Fryingpan River this time for endangered fish purposes. Releases reached 350 cfs on <br />September II. Subsequently, on September 12, Reclamation and the Colorado River <br />Water Conservation District reached agreement to increase Wolford Mountain Reservoir <br />releases and Ruedi releases were lowered to 300 cfs. The water for endangered fish was <br />from the first 10,000 AF of water provided pursuant to the Ruedi Round I Sales <br />Biological Opinion. No releases from the 21,650 AF contract have been provided as of <br />this date. <br /> <br />Attachments: <br /> <br />e <br />