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Model v~nfic.ation is assuring that the model progr.mming accurately de- scribes the physical river system. Veri- fication is being accomplished through the review process and will continue as the program is documented. Model c.alihration is filling or fine tuning the model to the known opera- tions of the river system. This is ac- complished by adjusting model parameters so model output simulates past records of operations. Calibration is accomplished as the base models are being developed and as new functions are added to the model. Model calibra- tion will be reviewed over the next several months as model development nears completion. Model validation is the process of determining how accurately the model can predict the river system operations under a different set of input condi- tions. The next step is to extend the present base model from the Wyoming - Nebraska state line to Lewellen, Nebraska, by programming the neces- sary functions into the model by May 1992. The study team will continue to review the model and provide com- ments. The North Plalle Water Utiliza- tion Model is scheduled for completion by the end of June 1992. Other Activities Reclamation and the Service have been reviewing data bases developed by other agencies and groups regarding threatened and endangered species use and habitat criteria for the Plalle River. Bald eagle and peregrine falcon habitat use areas have been identified and mapped for the North Plalle River in Wyoming. Similar information for bald eagles, whooping crane, interior least tern, and piping plover is being compiled for the North Plalle and Plalle Rivers in Nebraska. Review of the South PlaUe River endangered species use data will be initiated early in F"lScal Year 1993. Several past and ongoing studies have developed endangered species habitat models for the Plalle River. The exist- ing habitat models for whooping crane roosting and forage fish are being evaluated for applicability to the evaluation of Reclamation's operation of existing projects. The species habitat criteria and modeling informa- tion developed through the PlaUe River Management Joint Study process will be applicable to evaluating opera- tional impacts. Most of the same par- ties involved in the Joint Study are also involved in Reclamation's evaluation. The whooping crane and forage fISh models will be linked with the Hydrol- ogy Study Team model to display habitat values for assessing impacts in the Central PlaUe area in Nebraska. The use of these Central PlaUe River habitat models, evaluation criteria for other areas and other endangered species in the North Plalle and Plalle Rivers, and the method of displaying habitat information will be available for presentation and discussion at the next public information meeting (tentatively scheduled for late summer). Q & A's Q. What is the hydrology baseline con- dition that will be used to evaluate ex- isting operational effects on threatened and endangered species? A. The hydrology baseline condition used to evaluate operational effects of existing Reclamation projects will in- clude : 1) present day PlaUe River Basin level of developments and; 2) present day water demands. The his- torical record of water available in the basin for the period 1931 to 1989 will be used to simulate conditions that reflect the occurrence of the present 4 day developments and present day demands during the entire period (1931-1989). This simulated historical period of record will be considered the baseline hydrologic condition for pur- poses of our evaluation. Q. Is Reclamation's evaluation remain- ing on schedule? A. Yes, the major milestones in our schedule are as follows: Milestone .D..a1c. Plan of Study 10190 Public Meetings 11190 North Platte River 06192 hydrology model Baseline hydrology model, 10192 North Plalle and Central Plalle Rivers North Plalle River 05193 Projects Assessment South Plalle River 06194 hydrology model Baseline hydrology model, 12194 South Plalle and Central Plalle Rivers South Plalle River 06195 Projects Assessment If you have questions, let us know so that we can continue with this section in the next Update, Address questions or comments to: Study Manager Del Holz North Platte River Projects P.O. Box 1630 Mills WY 82644-1630 (307) 261-5693 or Project Manager John Lawson North Platte River Projects P.O. Box 1630 Mills WY 82644-1630 (307) 261-5671