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<br />COLORADO RIVER RECOVERY PROGRAM <br />FY 2002 ANNUAL PROJECT REPORT <br /> <br />RECOVERY PROGRAM <br />PROJECT NUMBER: 94/C-24 <br /> <br />1. Project Title: Coordinated Reservoir Operations Duchesne River <br /> <br />II. Principle Investigator: <br /> <br />Ed Vidmar <br />Provo Area Office, Bureau ofRec1amation <br />302 E. 1860 S. <br />Provo, Utah 84606 <br />Evidmar@uc.usbr.gov <br /> <br />III. Project Summary: The project study will identify and evaluate potential opportunities to <br />coordinate the operation of various reservoirs located in the Duchesne River Basin <br />upstream of the lower Duchesne Rivers with the goal of delivering water through the <br />lower Duchesne River for improvement of the habitat. Reclamation Projects having <br />facilities located in this part of the basin are the Central Utah Project, Moon Lake Project, <br />Provo River Project, Strawberry Valley Project and the Ute Indian Irrigation Project. <br />Although these projects were independently authorized, there may be opportunities to <br />coordinate the operation of certain facilities to benefit the habitat and endangered fish <br />while not impairing the ability of the Projects to satisfy their authorized purposes. Other <br />non-Federal reservoirs may offer additional opportunities to coordinate operations. The <br />potential opportunities will be fully described in the Summary Report with emphasis on <br />those that appear to be the most viable. <br /> <br />The lower 2.5 miles of the Duchesne River has been designated as critical habitat for the <br />razorback sucker and the lower Duchesne River may be important habitat for the <br />endangered Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker. Recovery of these fish in the <br />upper Colorado River is expected to require improvement of existing habitat conditions. <br />The coordinated operation of reservoirs located on the Duchesne River may result in the <br />ability to enhance flows in the lower Duchesne River during periods of the year for the <br />benefit of the endangered fish. <br /> <br />IV. Study Schedule: 1998 - 2002 <br /> <br />V, Relationship to RIPRAP: <br /> <br />VI. Accomplishment ofFY 2002 tasks and deliverables, discussion of initial findings and <br />shortcomings: The Coordinated Reservoir Operations model was completed last year. <br />This year was spent presenting model results to water user organizations, US Fish and <br />Wildlife personnel and other interested parties. Biologists completing the Biological <br />Opinion for the Duchesne River made requests for data. The final report for the <br />Coordinated Reservoir operation is substantially completed and will be reviewed and <br />presented to the Recovery Implementation Program sometime in early 2003. <br /> <br />VII. Recommendations: <br /> <br />The model is complete based on current water rights and historical operation. Several <br />additional scenarios have been completed. Additional model runs can be made by <br />request. <br />