WSP00416

• File Number: 8240.200.10.B
• Description: UCRBRIP Annual Report
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 12/22/1997
• Author: UCRBRIP
• Title: 1997 Annual Reports Package Part 1
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

COLORADO RIVER RECOVERY PROGRAM
FY 97 ANNUAL PROJECT REPORT

RECOVERY PROGRAM
PROJECT NUMBER: CAP-14

I. Project Tille: COORDINATED RESERVOIR OPERATIONS

II.Princlpallnvestigator(s): Malcolm Wilson
Bureau of Reclamation
Eastern Colorado Area Office
11056 West County Road 18E
Loveland CO 80537-9711
E-mail: [e-mail]
Telephone No. [phone]
Faxogram No. [phone]

George Smith
FISh and Wildlife Service
Denver Federal Center
P.O. Box 25486
Denver CO 80225
E-mail: [e-mail]
Telephone No. [phone]
Faxogram No. [phone]

III. Project Summary: The study will identify and evaluate potential opportunities to coordinate the
operation of various reselVoirs located in the Colorado River Basin upstream from the confluence of
the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers wilh the goal 01 delivering water to improve endangered fish species
habitat Reclamation projects having facilities located in the study area which may playa part are the
Colorado-Big Thompson, Fryingpan-Arkansas, Collbran, sm, and Grand Valley. Although these
projects were independently authorized, there may be opportunities to coordinate the operation of
certain facilities to benefit the habitat while not impairing the ability of the projects to satisfy their
authorized purposes. Other non-federal reselVoirs rnay offer additional opportunities to coordinate
operations. The potential opportunities will be fully described in a summary report with emphasis on
those that appear to be most viable.

N. Study Schedule: FY 1994 through FY 1997
V. Relationship to RIPRAP: 1.A.3.c.(3)(c)

VI. Accomplishment of FY 1997 Tasks and Deliverables, Discussion of Initial Findings and Shortcomings:

The study group developed a process of coordination amongst the participating reselVoir owner I
operators. The process focuses on releasing inflows during spring peak runoff to augment the duration
and volume of flows at Cameo while not affecting reselVoirs' yields. The range of flows at Cameo
which the releases were to augment was approximately 12,900 cis to 30,000 cfs.

The participants successfully conducted coordineted releases in the spring of 1997.

A database of over 200 entities was developed and used to issue news releases and notify the public
of meetings and coordinated operations. Three public meetings were held in February to inform the
public of the concept of coordinated releases and to seek public input.

Prediction and tracking of the peak flows at Cameo was conducted with the State and the National
Weather Service. ReselVoir owner I operators made adjustments to their releases during the peak
ftows at Cameo and were able \0 augment the peak lIam by tNeT 2000 cfs fOT approximately frve days.
The Coordination Process worked well and the entities were able \0 cut back flows when concerns over
ftODding in selected reaches developed. During the releases the public was kept informed by regular
news releases.

1