FLOOD02168

• County: Gunnison
• Community: Uncompahgre Valley
• Basin: Gunnison
• Title: Uncompahgre Valley Reclamation Project - Hydropower - Part 4 - Scoping Report Gunnison River Contract
• Date: 1/1/1990
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Project

between the South Canal and the Loutzenhizer Diversion Dam during
the irrigation season; second, flows would be greatly reduced in
the segment between the Loutzenhizer Diversion and the proposed
tailrace; and third, flows could increase between the tailrace
and Delta. The fishery conditions could improve in the first and
third sections and decrease in the middle section (see FEIS and
subsequent comments and responses) .

The FEIS addresses the changes in water quality to irrigators.
Quality would decline in some cases and improve in others because
of changes in dilution.

Channelization is often detrimental to waterfowl and other
wildlife, so this method of bank protection has been dropped from
consideration. Effects of flow changes and bank protection
measures proposed are presented in the FEIS. The value of
waterfowl habitat would change along the Uncompahgre River,
declining in some areas, and improving in other areas.

The effects on the Gold Medal fishery are included in the FEIS;
however, significant adverse impacts are not predicted.
Agricultural interests would benefit primarily from increased
revenues that could be used to improve or maintain irrigation
systems and to reduce water costs.

13. MR. BRAD HATCHER: He discussed the impacts of reduced flows
in the Gunnison River and on the need for power. His comments
were also submitted in written form and are discussed later.
Please refer to RESPONSBS to COMMENTS I-13 through I-25.

14. MR. CAR'l'ER !<<:KNIGHT: The Uncompahgre River flows through
Montrose are often below 50 ft3/s now. The Gunnison Tunnel has
been very important to this area; this valley would still be
semi-arid without it.

RESPONSE: Yes, it is true that flows in the Uncompahgre River
through Montrose are now often below 50 ft3/s, particularly in the
nonirrigation season. During the irrigation season, however,
flows in this reach are generally high because this reach of
river is used to carry imported Gunnison River from the South
Canal to downstream canals.

15. TRACY BLASBI~: She was concerned with how the project
would affect designation of a wilderness along the river or how
fish and wildlife would be affected. The EIS is too vague on
this. The Gunnison River did not become a Gold Medal fishery
with continual low flows of 300 to 400 ft3/s. The project would
take the last traces of wildness from the Gunnison. I don't
think we should chance losing an already established Gold Medal
fishery, an already established bald eagle habitat, and an
already healthy and growing tourism industry in Montrose.

RESPONSE: River flows would change significantly in the
nonirrigation season under development alternatives; changes
during the irrigation season would be much less because the

P-ll