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~.. ,..., (" ":' ~:";"..JJ . "Past recorda indicate that the Fryingpan River haa been one of the best, most heavily fished trout atreamB in Colorado," unquote. Unfortunately, this happy circumstance seems shortlived, for in VolUllle 3, we read, quote, "Eventually much of the stored water in Ruedi Reservoir will be committed for,West Slope purposes other than recreation. This will cause greater water level fluctuation in the Reservoir and reduce the operational ability to regulate below-dam flows to maintain the excellent stream fishery of the Fryingpan River," unquote. This disregard of social, aesthetic, and quality recreational values must be corrected before all fishery recreation becomes a "bathtub" quality in Colorado. Raised by: Edwin Merrick Representinll National Wildlife federation Response: The authorizing act of 1962 for the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project, provided for 100,000 acre-feet active capacity for Ruedi Reservoir and the Operating Principles developed cooperatively with fiah and Wildlife Service and Colorado Game and Fish Commission defined the criteria for the operation of the reservoir. Paragraph 10 of the Operating Principles atates as follows: "For the protection of recreation values, including fishing, on the Fryingpan River below Ruedi Reservoir, releases of water from aaid reservoir, not to exceed the stream inflow, shall be made so that the streamflow immediately below the junction of the Fryingpan River and Rocky Fork shall not be reduced below 39 ft3/s #...,.._ v,........_........... 1 .._ "__.1' ~^- __.1 ..^ #0.3-' Tram ____ a._____... . ....., ~....&..&. ,JUt auu .L.LU .tL /8 .. May 1 to October 30, or as actual experience or court decree hereafter dictate." . These minimum conditions will be met even when moat of the water atored in the future will be released for western slope use. The Operating Principles are subject to modification. Upon recommendation from the appropriate agencies the Fryingpan Arkansas Commission can recommend to the Secretary of the Interior that flows in the Fryingpan River below Ruedi be increased to better protect that resource. 18. Iaaue: Native trout and rainbow spawn in the spring, and in many of the streams in the collection aystem, we feel that the stip~lated minimum flows would not be enough to allow primarily the rainbows and native cutthroat to spawn successfully. . XI-46l