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WSPC00704
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Last modified
1/26/2010 11:06:36 AM
Creation date
10/9/2006 2:18:59 AM
Metadata
Fields
Template:
Water Supply Protection
File Number
8210.761.09.B
Description
Colorado River-Federal Agencies-US NPS-Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument
State
CO
Basin
Colorado Mainstem
Water Division
5
Date
4/4/2001
Author
CWCB
Title
2nd Quantification Attempt-Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Reserved Water Right Bulletin
Water Supply Pro - Doc Type
Report/Study
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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />only for the water it supplies to the Upper Colorado River Basin, but also as a source of <br />power and revenues for project repayment to the Federal Government. <br />4. The U.S. Fish &Wildlife Service has produced draft flow recommendations for the Gunnison <br />River at Grand Junction (downstream of the Black Canyon) to benefit endangered fish in the <br />Gunnison and Colorado Rivers. In order to meet the flow recommendations, the Aspinall <br />Unit would need to be re-operated. The flow recommendations and NPS quantification are <br />not totally compatible and combined significantly impact Colorado's ability to develop its <br />Compact apportionment. <br /> <br />Impacts of the Proposed NPS Ouantification of the Black Canvon Reserved Ril!ht <br /> <br />The potential impact of the proposed quantification is illustrated on the NPS graphs attached to <br />the application (difference between actual blue line and proposed green line). In short, the <br />quantification seeks to control about 60% of all Gunnison River flows to and through the Park. <br />Given the 1933 priority date already decreed the reserved right, the proposed quantification <br />would greatly restrict operations at both Taylor Park and the Aspinall Units, and reduce the <br />amount of water available to junior water right holders, unless terms and conditions are imposed <br />through the quantification process that would limit the impacts. The potential impacts are as <br />follows based on NPS data. <br />. 1993 Wet Year (Forecasted April-July inflow 1,020,000 AF, Actual 985,300 AF) <br />. Anytime Gunnison River flows through the Black Canyon, after allowing 1,000 cfs for <br />the Gunnison Tunnel, exceed 3,000 cfs, water is bypassing the power plant at Blue Mesa <br />and Crystal. Canyon flows in excess of 4,000 cfs result in power plant bypasses at all <br />Aspinall hydropower plants. The lost power and power revenues ($2,000,000 or more in <br />1993) are significant. <br />. Flows under current operations are beneficial to both the trout fishery and recreational <br />boating. Under the proposed quantification, when flows exceed 1200 cfs or go below <br />500 cfs, they become less than desirable if not dangerous to recreational boating. <br />. The high peaks that occurred in 1993 resulted in a poor year class of trout in the <br />Gunnison River through the Black Canyon although not as bad as those in the even <br />wetter years of 1983 and 84, which were the worst on record. The high peaks also result <br />in lower reservoir levels, which adversely impact the lake fisheries. <br />. The high peaks in and of themselves would not cause flooding in Delta. However, when <br />the peak releases are added to other major tributary inflows downstream (e.g. the North <br />Fork Gunnison), flooding in Delta is highly likely. Flooding at Delta likely results in <br />some flooding at Grand Junction as well. <br />. 1988 Dry Year (Forecasted April-July inflow 520,000 AF, Actual 389,900 AF) <br />. Power impacts are still present, but not very significant. <br />. Recreational boating and fish flows are less than acceptable. <br />. Impacts to water users become very significant, with many water rights decreed in the <br />1940's unable to divert at all. <br /> <br />Statements of Opposition to the quantification had to be filed by 03/31/2001. The State of <br />Colorado (Water Conservation Board, Water Resources, and Division of Wildlife) along with <br />approximately 350 other objectors have filed statements of opposition to the case. The State of <br />Colorado wants this issue resolved and does not want the case withdrawn. <br />A basin map, NPS hydrographs and proposed resolution of the Colorado Water Conservation <br />Board concerning the Gunnison Basin issues can be obtained through the following link, <br />htto:11 cwcb. state.co. us/agendaslMarch 01/25 f.odf. <br /> <br />2 <br /> <br />002720 <br />
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